Kasia awoke with a start, her heart pounding. Her body felt cocooned in silk, the fabric clinging to her like an unwelcome lover. As she tried to make sense of her surroundings, memories of Amdis, the vampire who had taken her away, flooded back. She glanced down at herself, noticing for the first time that she wore nothing but a sheer camisole. Anger flared within her, and she clenched her fists, cursing silently.
"Who does he think he is?" Kasia muttered under her breath as she threw off the silk sheets and slid out of bed. For a moment, she considered tearing the offensive garment from her body, but practicality won out. She needed to find a way out of this place, and she couldn't do that naked.
The room was bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, casting long shadows across the ornate furnishings. Kasia's instincts kicked in, and she moved cautiously towards the window, scanning the room for any potential threats. As her eyes adjusted to the fading light, she realized that she was trapped high up in a castle, the ground far below her.
"Damn it. This is not good," Kasia groaned, gripping the windowsill tightly. "There's no way I can climb down without killing myself."
A bitter laugh escaped Kasia's lips as she wondered how many times she'd find herself in situations like this. She stepped back from the window and surveyed the elegant room, taking in the royal draperies and intricate gold accents adorning the walls.
"Whoever this room belongs to takes themselves way too seriously," she thought with a roll of her eyes.
Kasia then noticed that Deva was unusually quiet. Usually, Deva would have agreed with her or had some sort of banter, but she said nothing.
"Deva?" Kasia asked. There was still no response.
Kasia closed her eyes and focused on Deva. She could still feel her presence within her. Why was she not saying anything?
"Deva, are you okay?" Kasia asked. "Did they do something to you, to us?"
"No, I'm fine. Nothing happened to us, but..." Deva hesitated for a moment before continuing, "This room seems familiar."
"What do you mean? How is that even possible?" Kasia asked.
Before Deva could respond, Kasia felt a sudden presence behind her, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end. A striking man, dressed only in a towel around his waist, stood just a few feet away, causing her hazel eyes to widen.
The steam rising off his damp skin accentuated his chiseled features and strong jawline. With each step he took toward her, his commanding aura seemed to fill the room, making it difficult for Kasia to catch her breath. The scent of fresh soap and musk wafted off of him, adding to his overwhelming presence.
It was Amdis, the vampire, who had saved her by whisking her away in the air like some fairytale story. Water glistened on his bronze skin like liquid diamonds, drawing Kasia's gaze despite her best efforts. She quickly looked away, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment.
"Maybe I should have let the rogues get me," Kasia thought as she became very aware of how naked she felt in this pathetic excuse of a camisole.
"You don't need to look away," Amdis said, his voice velvety smooth and laced with amusement.
"Yes, I do. This is inappropriate," Kasia snapped, trying to regain some semblance of control over the situation. The fact that she found him extremely attractive only fueled her irritation. She needed to keep in mind that he was her captor, not a handsome stranger intent on seducing her. This was not a romance novel.
"Is it now?" Amdis replied, stepping closer to her and sending a shiver down Kasia's spine. She struggled to maintain her composure as she felt the weight of his gaze on her.
"Stay back," Kasia warned, her voice wavering slightly. "I don't know what you want from me, but I am not some damsel in distress that you can take advantage of."
Amdis' expression shifted from amusement to confusion, his eyebrows furrowing in perplexity. "There is no need for you to keep acting like you're someone you're not. You're safe now," he stated.
Kasia felt Deva stirring with her. She felt panicked, maybe even excited to see Amdis. That couldn't be right.
Amdis dropped his towel. Seeing him fully naked brought Kasia out of her thoughts. She covered her eyes quickly. "Are all vampires this vulgar? Can you please put on some clothes before we continue this conversation?"
"You've seen me naked multiple times," Amdis continued, a hint of frustration in his tone. "There's no need for such modesty now. If you're playing a game, I dislike this Devanna."
Kasia's confusion only grew as she processed his words. Devanna? Who was this woman he was talking about? And why did he seem to think she was someone else entirely? She narrowed her eyes and shook her head firmly. "I'm sorry, but you have the wrong person. No, I am not Devanna. I don't even know who you are other than your name."
Amdis' brow furrowed further as he studied her face intently, searching for answers. He took a step forward, and Kasia backed away. "You're being serious. What happened to you?" he asked. "Did you lose your memory? What did those dogs do to you?"
Kasia couldn't help but bare her fangs at him and snarl. "One: They are not dogs. We are wolves. Two: No, I haven't lost my memory. I don't know who this Devanna is, but I am Kasia Thorne, the mate of Alpha King Ethan. I have no idea why you decided to bring me here. I appreciate your help, but you need to take me back right now."
Amdis seemed to consider her words for a moment, his gaze unwavering. Finally, he spoke again, his tone filled with certainty. "No, I know who you are," he said firmly. "You are my mate. I would recognize you anywhere."