Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
I pause for a moment, taken aback by her question. It’s not something Soren or I have ever considered. Braken’s orders were pretty straightforward, and we’d simply followed them without question. But there’s something in Fiora’s gaze, an earnest need for answers I can’t very well ignore.
“Well”—I lean back against the armchair, my eyes never leaving her face—“it’s a fair question.”
Her reaction to my answer—a small lift of her eyebrows, as if she hasn’t expected me to entertain her curiosity—makes me smile. I shrug casually, even though my heart is pounding. “You’re valuable to him,” I say, “and that makes you valuable to us.”
She narrows her eyes at me suspiciously. “That’s it? No ulterior motives?”
“Ulterior motives?” I feign shock, but a grin is tugging at the corner of my mouth. “We are men of honor, Fiora.”
She rolls her eyes at that, but the ghost of a smile is evident on her face. It softens her features, makes her look less like the hardened woman she portrays herself to be and more... human.
“There might be one more reason,” I add, after a moment.
She raises an eyebrow at me, intrigue sparking in her eyes. “And what would that be?”
I lean forward in the chair, my elbows resting on my knees as I meet her gaze head-on. “Well, maybe we want a taste before you become a taken woman.”
Her surprised laugh echoes around the room just as another strike of thunder shakes the house. Neither of us jumps this time. We’re too engrossed in our conversation for that.
“Why does that matter? You both said that Braken shares.” She leans back in her chair and studies me before adding, “I think you want to fuck me.”
I nod. “Observant.”
“But I also think you want to fuck Braken,” she adds.
I raise an eyebrow at that, taken aback by her bold statement. “That’s quite a leap.” I lean back in my chair again, running a hand through my hair. “But why do you say so?”
She smiles at me, a slow coy expression that hides something deeper. “Am I wrong?”
My heart gives a flutter at her words, but I maintain my nonchalant facade. “Soren and I like to fuck everyone.”
Her eyes widen slightly at my response, a soft chuckle escaping her lips as she shakes her head. “Good to know.” There’s a teasing glint in her eyes now, and that same spark of intrigue from before.
The woman is full of surprises.
Just when I think she’s going to ask another provocative question, a sudden gust of wind shakes the house again, followed by another deafening roll of thunder. Her momentary amusement fades, replaced by that same vulnerability from before. The power flickers, causing the lights to dim before returning to their usual glow.
Fiora pulls her legs up onto her chair, wrapping her arms around them as she continues to watch me. There’s a haunted look in her eyes now, as if the storm outside has brought back memories she would rather forget.
“What is it?” My voice is barely audible over the violent winds.
She doesn’t respond at first, just bites her lip and looks away. When she speaks, her words are soft and distant. “I used to be scared of storms. I used to be scared of everything. Until I got old enough to know what it meant to be a Godwin. I was invincible. I was a God among men. Nothing could touch me. And then… my brother was killed. Reality sunk in. We’re all mortal. Even Godwins.”
That’s when I notice the slight shudder of her shoulders, the quick intake of breath every time a particularly loud clap of thunder echoes through the house. In that moment, my resolve hardens once more. This time not because of an order from Braken or because there’s something in it for me, but because Fiora needs me.
“You’re safe here.” I rise from my chair and move toward hers.
She doesn’t pull away when I kneel in front of her, reaching out to gently take hold of her hand. Her eyes meet mine then—deep, dark pools filled with uncertainty and fear hidden underneath a front as violent as the storm outside.
I thread my fingers through hers, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. “You have nothing to fear while you’re with us. Braken is working hard on finding out who killed your brother, and when he does— We will make them pay,” I finish, my voice a low, dangerous growl.
The surety of my words stirs a small change in her expression. Is it hope? Relief? I can’t quite tell.
Her fingers tighten around mine, and she gives me a small nod, acknowledging my promise. For the first time since we’ve met, I swear I detect the faintest flicker of trust.
I let the silence fill the room, allowing her to process my words and let the soothing rhythm of the rain against the window do its work. There’s a strange intimacy in this moment, and I’m instantly uncomfortable.