Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
I wrap my arms around his head and kiss his hair. “Yeah. Look, at the center, it releases these black wisps. It reminds me of your shadows, and I mixed in specks of shiny blue pigment to imitate the tear stone, like in the engagement ring you got me.” I also made him a ring, but he’ll be finding that out on our wedding day.
My eyes shut when Kyran pulls up my top and stuffs his face under it, kissing my damp skin, as if there was nothing he loved more than the scent of my sweat. Which is embarrassing, but also kind of reassuring. “I never got a gift this thoughtful.”
Which makes me both sad and happy at the same time. But also, I get it. I understand him so well, because I’ve also not been given much before he came along. It’s as if we were created to lick each other’s wounds.
“You shower me with gifts all the time. I want you to feel appreciated,” I whisper and stroke his head through the fabric, feeling so tender toward him my heart might just break.
It’s so weird.
I still remember telling Kurt that I wasn’t the marrying type.
Then, laughing at Kyran. Then trying to flee him, and making a deal, which involved him letting me go. Now I despise the thought of being apart from him. And I went from point A to point B in under a month.
“You being here is enough. Not that I don’t appreciate the other perks,” Kyran tells me before sliding out from under my top with his face pink and messy hair.
You’d never imagine a Prince of Darkness could be adorable, but he is.
“Like my human sweat?” I roll my eyes and pull my top off.
Kyran grins at me and licks me from navel to nipple as I gasp. “Mmm… like sea salt. Delicious. But if you want to get clean…”
Before I know what’s happening, he tips back with me in his arms, and we splash into the water, sending bubbles into the air.
The amazing blowjob and time spent floating in the fragrant tub did take my mind off needing to part from Count Flapula, but once the rush of excitement was gone, the melancholic mood came back. Flap clings to my arm like a little puppy as Kyran takes my hand and leads the way into the caves that almost took my life only a day into my stay here.
But Kyran was there for me, no matter how angry he must have been about my betrayal.
“It’s okay, you will be fine, Flap. You’ll get to meet your family again,” I say and stroke his purple head. At this point, I’m not sure if I’m reassuring him or myself.
We walk through the darkness that smells of sea and salt, listening to the flapping of shark skins high above. Kyran is holding a green lantern, but since my awakening to shadowcraft, I’ve been seeing in the dark much better.
I can’t help but wonder if Flap wouldn’t be happier leaving his family behind though. After all, no bat stayed back to help him when his wing was broken. Would he miss being a part of a bat colony when he could be fed coralberries every day and fly out whenever he pleases?
I don’t miss home even though sometimes I’m annoyed that I can’t google whatever question is on my mind, or get a burger with fries. Those are silly little things in comparison to what I’ve gained.
I squeeze Kyran’s hand, wondering how it will feel to accompany him to the altar made of moon rock. Everyone will be watching, and he will show me off as if I’m the prize of a lifetime even though I’m just human. And a man at that, but this doesn’t seem to matter here at all, and my gender has never made anyone bat an eye.
It’s refreshing, and I briefly fantasize about asking Kyran to abduct my mom, just so she can see me walk down the aisle with someone she would have labeled as far too good for me.
It makes me smile, but her opinion ultimately doesn’t matter. I no longer care what she thinks of me or whether she thinks of me at all.
We reach the bottom of the cave, which was covered by water last time I was here, and I take note of a bright glow ahead. As we pass a boulder and see its source, I’m stunned to see a blonde woman in clothes that don’t quite fit into the gothic aesthetics of the court.
It’s Carol, the human I was so desperate to talk to.
I glance at Kyran, not even needing to ask to know it’s his doing.
He takes Flap from my arms. “This is Carol, Lady Guinevere’s Dark Companion. By law, she’s not allowed to be here, but if you don’t tell, I won’t,” he says and, after pressing a kiss to my lips, retreats to where we came from. “Take as much time as you need.”