Though the journey took mere seconds, her decent seemed to be in slow motion to all her senses. She was acutely aware of the whistling wind in her ears and the breeze against her skin. Her eyes stung with salty tears. The sour taste of fear filled her mouth.
“I don’t want to die!” a defiant voice screamed in her head. The voice was her own but not like she had ever heard it before.
The air rushed from her lungs as she landed. She had expected great pain, her body and bones to be shattered. She only felt numb. It took several moments for her brain to register the reality of her situation. She was lying on her back. It was not the solid ground on which she landed; she was suspended above the ground, supported by strong arms. Audrey opened her eyes and could see the moon shining high above her. She also could see a pair of emerald green eyes looking down at her, intently just inches from her own.
How she had come to be in her host’s arms she could not fathom nor even tried. She threw her tiny arms around his neck burying her face is his raven hair. Audrey wept like a child.
Nicholas stood stoically, waiting for her to finish. Audrey finally raised her tear stained face to look at him. “How …”
Nicholas’s only response was to unceremoniously dump her from his arms and on to her feet.
“You saved me … how, you were just …” Audrey looked to the balcony above.
“Still want to die?” Nicholas’s lips parted in a cynical smile.
Audrey suddenly felt as if she had woken from a long dream. She saw things so much more clearly. “No.” she replied in a soft but sure voice.
“Well then, now that that matter is resolved shall we return to the castle?” Nicholas’s mood was once again light and charming.
“What are you?” Goosebumps prickled Audrey’s skin.
Nicholas threw back his head in a thundering laugh. “I am many things my lady.” He offered her his arm. “Come, the hour grows late, I must take my rest.” He looked up into the night sky as he spoke. The ebony darkness had turned to a deep rich blue promising the sun’s return.
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