Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“It was not that long.”
“Oh, so you did not miss me?”
She shrugged. “Only slightly.”
“I see. Then I shall go, and return when you are aching for me,” I replied, getting up, only for her to grab me back, hugging me tightly.
Grinning, I stood stiff. “This is a very intense embrace for ‘only slightly.’ ”
“You know I missed you terribly. I missed you so much that I am scared to believe you are actually here.”
I turned back toward her, wrapping my arms around her waist. “I am here, and I will not leave without you ever again.”
Before I could kiss her, I heard Abena call from behind us.
“Verity told me to tell you to hurry and come down before Papa kills her husband!”
We both turned back to the girl, whose mouth was covered in chocolate.
“Why would Papa kill Sir Darrington?” Hathor asked her.
“Because he knew you got married. You’re in trouble!” she giggled and then took another bite.
“You told them!” she yelled at me.
“It was the only way I could come see you. They were guarding the stairs like an army.”
She placed her head on my chest. “That was the worst way to tell them. They are going to kill us. Well, mostly you. Mama will throw me into a cellar with pots to clean.”
I smiled. “Do you want to escape and take your chances in the snow?”
She giggled, lifting her head to look at me. She said, “I am laughing, so you must really be here.”
“Have you not laughed since I left?”
“Not truly.”
“Nor have I,” I whispered, kissing her forehead, and she closed her eyes, holding on to me.
“You’re taking forever. What do I tell Verity?” Abena called again.
“Little bug, I will throw you out the window!” Hathor separated from me and snapped at her.
“Now, is that the demeanor of a princess?” Abena mocked her.
“You are right. Wilhelm, is it possible to get guards to throw her out the window?”
“I do have guards outside that will happily do as you ask, my love,” I said, turning to face Abena as well.
“You two are perfect together: You’re both monstrous.”
“Shall I take my chocolate back?”
“Mama! Hathor and her prince are bullying me!” she yelled as she ran away.
“I shall show her a bully.” Hathor laughed and looked back to me. “Are you prepared to face them?”
Reaching over, I brought her lips to mine.
God, it had been far too long. My tongue entered her mouth, and I did not wish to stop. But I had to. Resting my forehead on hers, I nodded.
“I love you. So long as you are with me, I can face anything, wife,” I whispered in the space between our lips.
“I love you, husband.” She lifted my hands and kissed them. “Into the midst of the storm we go…”
“…fear not the waves, the thunder, the breaking of ships, or the creatures below, for I am with you, and thus you are always safe.”
I swore it.
Now until the end of time I would dedicate my life not to kingdoms or even myself, but to her most magnificent smile.
For she was my sun, my sky, my air, my present and future.
She was everything.
She was Hathor.