Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 106600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
He places me on the bed and pecks my lips. I look up into his eyes and my breath hitches. I tear my eyes away quickly, not wanting to read too much into what I see there.
“Next time, I’ll take my time blessing you. Right now, the community is waiting to meet my new queen,” he says, with a handsome smile on his face.
His mustache is still glistening, wet from my juices. I reach to brush it clean. He takes my hand in his and pulls my fingers into his mouth, then kisses my palm.
“Delicious. I’m proud to wear your essence and will spend the day trying to inhale it as often and as much as I can,” he croons with a smile.
In this moment, I hate my job, and I don’t want to meet anyone. I want to lie back on this bed and allow him to bless me over and over again. Frowning at my thoughts, I take the clothes that appear in his hand and set them aside as he begins to dry me off with the towel that appears in the other.
I clear my throat and ask the first thing that comes to mind. “So let me get this straight. I will be considered a queen here, but you guys don’t have one queen or king?
“No, there is not one. Our mother’s people were all considered kings and queens.”
“So now you and all three of your brothers are considered kings?”
“Yes, our community holds us in that regard,” he replies.
“Okay, I’m starting to grasp it all. I think. Ray and Taylor are considered queens as well, right?”
“Yes, as Reilly’s mate will be when she arrives.”
“Does that mean we actually rule over anyone, or is it in name only?”
“Here, we divide our people by element.”
“Element?”
“Yes, we each wield an element. Kendrick, however, can pull from and wield all our elements. Well, he’s never tapped into Reilly’s power.”
“Why not?”
“Reilly’s power is complicated. It can’t be locked down completely by blessed iron. I think Kendrick has always feared killing his own power by pulling Reilly’s.”
“Well, what kind of power does he have?”
“Reilly has the power to give life or death. He can strip the power of other beings or hand it back.”
“I get why Kendrick wouldn’t want to pull from that. That’s some deep shit. Okay, okay. This is all so fascinating. I’ll stop interrupting. Back to the people and your element.”
“You are fine. It’s a lot to take in. The fire folk all follow Bradan’s rule. Water folk are our people. Because of Reilly’s connection to life and death, he rules the earth folk. Kendrick rules over us all.”
“Water folk?”
“Merpeople, nymphs, water fairies, sea fairies, sirens—”
“Wait, wait, wait. I thought mermaids, sirens and nymphs were all one and the same.”
He gives me a smile. “They are not. However, we decided a long time ago to make it seem as such. There are differences. Some species are more harmful than others.
“Oh, okay. Go on. I’m sorry.”
He shakes his head. “Good question. I will help you learn of them all. We also rule over the water dragons and several others we don’t speak of aloud.”
At the mention of water dragons, my heart begins to race. I feel the blood drain from my face. Ardan tilts his head and studies me closely.
“What just happened?” he asks with concern in his voice.
“It’s nothing. I was just going to ask you about something. I … um.”
“Shit, can you hold that thought. We’ve been summoned to the main hall. The community has gathered. They are waiting.”
I look to the clothes still sitting beside me. I guess my crazy thoughts and visions can wait. Ardan follows my gaze.
“Let me help you with that,” he says and then I’m fully dressed.
“You have to show me that one,” I say and laugh nervously.
I had been using my questions to avoid this for as long as I could. I still want to know what’s expected of me. What will these water folk need from me?
I guess I’m about to find out.
Ardan
This is going well. I want Billy to feel welcome by all. I can sense this isn’t easy for her. Although I can’t hear or see her thoughts, I can sense her emotions.
They are all over the place, but the most consistent is her nervousness and desire to fit in. I’m not surprised by that after being in her thoughts last night. While Billy has forced herself to be independent, I came across memories of her wanting to be a part of things only to be left out.
My little mate is strong, but my love will make her stronger. Billy will know she belongs with me, and I will always be here for her. Water beings can be emotional and intuitive, so she will always know how our people feel about her. Their vibes will be easy to catch.