Prophecy Page 8

  “Rune,” I whisper and quickly open the window. “What are you doing here?”

  He crouches on the windowsill, holding so tightly onto the frame of the window that I’m scared he’ll break it, as his wings fold away, and then he climbs inside. “You were upset, hurting. I needed to know that you were safe.” He’s also whispering, and since he’s not supposed to be here...

  “I’m okay.” I sit back on the bed, folding my arms in front of myself, trying to pull myself together. But as he reaches out to me, I still let him wrap his arms around me, relaxing against him, in his warm embrace. “Everyone knows. Everyone now knows who I am.”

  “I’m sorry.” His voice rumbles in his chest. “I know that you didn’t want that yet.” He puts his heavy hand to the side of my head and cradles me to his chest like I’m a newborn or something, encapsulating me inside his safety.

  I nod against his shoulder, hoping I’m not drenching his shirt with my tears.

  New knocking makes us both still, the knocking is on the door this time. “Litha?” Aideen, just like this morning. “Are you okay?”

  I look up at Rune, but he looks back at me with a steady gaze, and then I go to open the door while Rune steps out of view. “Hey.” I try to smile at her. “I’m okay. Thanks.”

  Aideen frowns as she comes closer, holding out my abandoned bowl with ice cream. “I refilled it, I thought you could use some more. Can I come in?”

  I glance at Rune, but he shrugs. It’s not like they don’t know each other... Then I open the door further and Aideen steps inside.

  When she sees Rune, she lets out a little gasp, her eyes growing. “Oh.” She inclines her head. “Good evening, My Prince.”

  “Good evening.” He sounds so formal right now, it’s weird. “Call me Rune, we’re not at court.” He tries to smile and it’s interesting to see that Rune really isn’t used to being around people other than the boys much.

  “Rune.” Aideen nods. “I was...” She shrugs. “Bringing her some ice cream. I was trying to...” She flails, letting out a small sound, before looking at me. “This can stop being weird at any time now. Please.”

  I smile a little. “Thanks for the ice cream.” I take a bite, the panic inside me broken now. I go over to the box, trying to hunt down some scissors or a knife to open it, but when I look away for even a moment, I hear a ‘zipping’ sound. As I turn back, Aideen is looking at me sheepishly, one of her hands transformed into a black claw with a red sheen on it, really sharp nails at the ends, and the tape on the box is neatly opened. Well, yeah, that’s another solution... “Thanks.” I smile a little. Staring at the box, I’m not sure what I’ll find inside, and I’m a little apprehensive.

  Then Rune sits down on the bed behind me, his large body warm against my back and Aideen sits down on the other side of the box, somehow also curious.

  I guess there isn’t anything I can do now but open it. I slowly push aside the flaps, on top of everything is an envelope, but I put it to the side, I’ll read that later, then I look through the rest. My laptop is in here, nicely wrapped up, with a new charger cable, since the normal one probably won’t work here. There is a phone in the box too, a brand new one, and more notebooks, probably from Mum. Mum has always been the one to write everything down. Apart from a few more things from my room at home, there isn’t much else in the box, mostly just nicknacks, so I take the letter instead.

  The envelope is a simple white and says ‘Our dear Litha’ in Dad’s neat handwriting.

  I take a note out of the envelope, leaning back against Rune before I take a deep breath. I have no idea what to expect, and that scares me.

  Dear Litha,

  I’m so sorry for what happened yesterday, we should have told you sooner or found another way to explain everything to you. But we didn’t know how, we were scared.

  We’re hoping that you’re doing okay on campus and that you’ve at least found some friends.

  I look up at Aideen, and then glance back at Rune, I think the friendship thing is going well.

  You’ll probably have a lot of questions and we’re hoping to be able to answer them soon, in person. For now, please, stay safe.

  Taking you to the human world was the only way to protect you, and that worked for almost two decades. But at the start of the summer, we heard some disturbing news from the realm, news of the princes being in danger and rumours of a new war brewing.

  Four days ago, news from the highest priestess reached us, and we knew that we couldn’t keep you here anymore. You weren’t safe. The only place we knew that you’d be safe was at the academy.

  We’re really sorry it was all so sudden. If we could have done it any other way, we would have.

  If possible, could you tell the headmaster that we’ve been found out and to give the princes extra protection? We’ve gone into hiding and will contact him ourselves when we can.

  This box is all we could send you without putting you or the school in too much danger. Things have taken a turn for the worst and the prophecy could be in danger, just like the safety of the kingdoms.

  Stay safe.

  Love,

  Mum and Dad

  There is a tightness in my chest as the tears slip down my cheeks. No way. No fucking way.

  Rune’s arms wrap around me and I can’t stop the crying, the bawling. What’s going on? Are we in danger? How much danger?

  I can’t lose them, I can’t lose any of them.

  A roaring fire builds inside me, burning me from the inside out. I need to protect them, I need to protect all of them. And I need to find my parents, keep them safe too.

  I need to keep them all safe.

  Reviews mean the world to me (and other readers)…

  If you liked this book, please consider leaving a review. It doesn’t have to be a long review and can be as simple as ‘I liked it’ or mentioning something in the book that made you smile (or cry). It really helps me spread the word about my books. Thank you so much!

  Next in this series: Curiosity (Lughnasadh Elite Academy 2)

  Don’t want to stop reading? Grab your copy of the next book:

  Curiosity (Lughnasadh Elite Academy 2)

  * * *

  One stolen prophecy, four sexy princes to protect her.

  As if being sent to a magical world she has no knowledge of wasn’t bad enough for Litha, she finds out that her parents have gone into hiding and that all the documents about her prophecy have been stolen.

  The four princes, Bane, Kit, Rune and Finn, have sworn to protect her at all costs, but it seems that those costs may be higher than they expected, especially when some of them have their own battles to fight.

  A trip to the headmaster’s office in the dead of night, followed by a very special breakfast is only the start of their new adventure together.

  * * *

  Curiosity (Lughnasadh Elite Academy 2)

  About Layla Heart

  Layla Heart loves sexy romances and has a particular soft spot for broken boys and their damaged girls. When she’s not reading or writing steamy stories, she loves to nap with her two cats, preferably under a fluffy blanket, and play videogames. She has studied literature and creative writing but often finds that the couple of classes she took on coding is much more of a help in this new adventure as an author.

  * * *

  For social media, check the Easily Distracted Media page on the next page.

  About Easily Distracted Media

  Easily Distracted Media is a publisher/brand name for a group of pen names from one author. Each pen name gives a slightly different ‘flavour’ of story, but they’re all highly emotional, focusing on close connections between friends and chosen family.

  E. Engberts, Queer Scifi Young Adult stories.

  Emily Engberts, Lesbian Romance stories (18+).

  Emmy Engberts, Queer Young Adult Romance stories.

  Skylar Heart, Straight Contemporary Romance stories (18+).

  Rosa Swann, Gay Romance stories
(18+).

  * * *

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  Published by Easily Distracted Media

  As E. Engberts (Queer YA Scifi)

  BASE Status: Online

  BASE Status: Update

  As Emily Engberts (Lesbian Romance, 18+)

  Second Chance at Christmas

  A Card for Valentine’s

  As Emmy Engberts (Queer YA Romance)

  Her Elysium (Flowers and Keyboards 1)

  The Other Dress (Flowers and Keyboards 2)

  Colour Her (Flowers and Keyboards 3)

  As Skylar Heart (Straight Romance, 18+)

  Shattered

  Unraveled

  As Rosa Swann (Gay Romance, 18+)

  Mated to the Alpha Serial

  The Baby Pact Trilogy

  Second Chance Mates Serial

  Making a Family Serial

  Omegas’ Destined Alpha Serial

  The Vampire’s Past Trilogy