Chapter 4

Immediately, I was on my feet. I grabbed the closest and heaviest object I could find, which happened to be a flower vase that decorated the vanity. I held it tightly in my hand, my heart beating quickly at the thought of facing my kidnapper.

My eyes were locked on the door, waiting for it to open.

I heard a soft click as the tumblers were triggered. With a loud squeak from the hinges, the wooden door swung back.

Beyond the threshold, the hallway was cloaked in darkness, making it impossible to see the figure that stood there.

I adjusted my grip on the vase and firmly planted my feet in the ground. Whoever it was, they had quite a bit of explaining to do.

Finally, they stepped forward. To my surprise, the man that appeared before me looked like an extra from a mediocre medieval movie. He was scrawny, his shoulders sagging from the weight of the chainmail he had on. He wore a tabard over it, embellished with what I could only guess was a coat of arms.

The golden pentangle took up most of the space, but what fascinated me most was the five-headed dragon that emerged from the middle. It's deadly fangs were bared as if the beast was ready for combat.

Along the bottom were symbols I couldn’t comprehend, a mix between Slavic and Latin.

For a long time, we just stared at each other. I wanted to say something, to demand answers, but my tongue had swelled in my mouth, making it impossible.

Finally, the man stepped forward, his sword banging against his narrow hips with his every stride.

Quickly, I shuffled back, pressing myself against the wall. “Don’t come any closer!” I shouted, my hands so tight around the vase that I thought it would shatter.

To my surprise, he stopped. In a slow and meticulous way, he took off his leather gloves, wedging them between his belt and tabard for lack of pockets. He then bowed so low that his wispy blonde hair nearly grazed the floor. “Milady, Lord Titus is expecting you.”

I stared at him as if he was some madman.

Lord Titus?

Who the hell was that?

But then, my dream flickered in my mind. The mysterious man that had given me so much pleasure in the dream world had said something similar. That he had been waiting for me.

“What are you talking about?” I finally voiced my question, hoping for answers.

“Lord Titus has been waiting for you, milady. For almost a hundred years.”

Now I definitely knew this man had lost his mind.

“Look, I don’t know what kind of sick game you’re playing here, but you better let me go.”

“I cannot do that.” He replied, his voice stoic. He had straightened out his posture, his beady brown eyes looking nervous. “I have searched all my life for someone to be his mate. I dare not disappoint him by letting you go.”

“Mate? I’m not some animal!” I spat, throwing the vase in his direction. I missed completely, the delicate object shattering against the stone floor.

“You should not have done that.” The man said, his voice ever so calm. His complete lack of emotion unnerving.

“Let me go. This instant.”

He shook his head. “I will not.”

“Please. I won’t say anything.”

“I must prepare you for my liege.”

“Look, I don’t know what you’re planning, but I’m not going to be anyone’s mate. That’s crazy. You’re crazy.”

Again, he shook his head. “Lord Titus is a gentle lover. Granted, he has been dormant for one hundred years, so he might be a little rowdy, but I can assure you that he will not hurt you.”

“You’re insane!” I pressed myself into the wall. This man had completely lost his mind, living in some fantasy-based delusion. “Please, just let me go.”

The man didn’t say a word. Instead, he walked over to a door I hadn’t noticed before. He turned what looked like a diamond-encrusted doorknob. Without looking at me, he opened the door and stepped out of view.

I took my chance.

I dashed for the open door that led to the hallway, but before I could make my getaway, it slammed shut. I screamed, falling back, my heart thumping inside my chest.

“There is no point in trying to escape. This castle is centuries old, enchanted by powerful magic which almost gives it a mind of its own. You will only leave this room once Lord Titus is ready for you.” The man had a gorgeous azure gown in his hands. As he spoke to me, he laid it out on the bed. “Lord Titus would like you to get ready for this evening…”

Without another word, he left the room, the door opening without him ever reaching for the doorknob. I sat there in utter disbelief.

What had just happened?

Was I really trapped inside an enchanted castle?

This had to be some sort of a nightmare.

Quickly, I got up and tried the door, but it was locked once again. “Ugh!” I banged against the wood. “Let me out of here!” I kept yelling and screaming, hoping the man would return, but he seemed so adamant about me meeting this Lord Titus that I found it difficult to believe he would change his mind.

Having no other choice, I walked back to the bed, examining the dress he had laid out for me. It was truly spectacular. The fabric was a fine velvet that was incredibly soft to the touch, embellished with gold trimming all around. The bodice was designed like a corset that tied up on the sides to make it easy for the wearer to tighten it herself.

I couldn’t help myself as I picked it up and pressed it against my chest, twirling with it in my arms, pretending for a split second that I was a lady dancing at a ball.

I quickly pushed those thoughts from my mind, tossing the dress back onto the bed. No. I wasn’t going to put it on. That would be giving that man exactly what he wanted and I wasn’t about to be a part of his sick game.

I stepped away, crossing my arms over my chest, determined to suppress my urge to change into it. As I did, I noticed the second door in the room. It was still open.

Curious, I tip-toed forward, peeking my head inside.

To my surprise, it was a room filled with gowns as far as the eye could see.

I stepped inside, running my fingers along the hundreds of dresses waiting to be worn. On the back wall, fabulous shoes were neatly displayed on pedestals. Another wall sparkled with beautiful jewelry, most of it encrusted with rich sapphires.

Where the hell was I?