Free A Grim Love: Can't Fight Time by Rosi S. Phillips Page A

had signed a temporary contract.
     
    “Uriel of the Bloodspurn line,” Grim began formally, making sure everyone in the room could feel his power stroking over them like a harsh caress, “Together with the human, nullify your contract and accept your punishment.” Grim leaned over them until neither of them could see past him.
     
    Uri was scared shitless, obviously not expecting this kind of reception, even if he had broken a law. Yet what puzzled Grim the most, was that Nina didn’t seem frightened or scared; in fact, her heartbeat hadn’t sped up once. “Human,” Grim addressed her, trying to scare her into submission. S he had to die.
     
    “My name is Nina Marie Strathmore,” Nina said slowly, her voice gaining in strength as she turned her face up to his. “I have been through--” she began, her voice rising as she moved away from Uri and began to pick herself up, making Grim lean back and away from her, “--Hell and back! And I don’t give a flying horseshit what law Uri has broken, because he saved my life!” she screamed, advancing towards him with a pointed finger, her body shaking in rage. Or was it fear?
     
    “So I don’t care that you don’t want me here, because F.Y.I, I don’t even want to be here! I just want to be able to have a few more days where I don’t have to worry about being tracked down and killed by my father! So can you please take that righteous high-and-mighty attitude and shove it!” Grim heard her scream, feeling the wall pressing against his back as Nina literally backed him into a corner.
     
    “How dare that insolent little--” Grim heard his mother began as Nina continued to stare fire at him. She whipped her head around to glare seething hatred at his mother. “Will you shut up!”
     
    The feeling began in his ribs, slowly spreading up until it engulfed him. Grim found himself laughing, his bones rattling wildly as he clutched at his side, bent over and laughed. The guards paused before following suit, and soon the whole room was laughing except for his mother and Nina, who were glaring at each other.
     
    “Enough!” Grim boomed, laugher still rattling through his bones. “The contract can’t be nullified unless both parties accept, and the human does seem willing,” Grim came close to Nina and trailed a bony finger down her cheek. He was impressed by her bravery as she stood her ground, refusing to flinch away. She truly was the most interesting human he’d ever come across. And the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen, his subconscious added as he leaned forward until they were only a breath apart.
     
    “Welcome to your new home, Amica . Well... at least temporarily,” Grim said, watching a flare of recognition light Nina’s eyes before she lowered her lids and tossed her head away.
     
    Does she recognize me? Grim wondered as he watched Nina go back to Uri and help him up.
     
    “Thank you...” He heard her soft voice trail off, obviously waiting for his name.
     
    Nina didn’t know Grim’s title; all she knew was that he was a royal. She didn’t even know his birth name; he didn’t tell it to many people or even like it when people used it. But he still didn’t want Nina to find out who he was just yet. She was in contract with Uri, and he had to remember that.
     
    “Heir Apparent to the Bloodspurn Kingdom, Samuel Bloodspurn; you may call me Highness,” he added, just to needle her and find out what she would do.
     
    A tiny line marred Nina’s brow, but it was quickly replaced by a sardonic twist of her lips. Grim wondered if he had even seen the confusion on her face or if it had been a trick of the light. “Thanks, Sam.”
     
    Grim smiled, as much as he could as a skeleton, and waved his hands to dismiss the guards. “Come, Mother,” Grim said, turning to leave, not sure if he was doing the right thing by letting Nina continue to stay or the wrong thing by not letting her die. He didn’t know.
     
    “But Samuel--” His mother