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)
Seven years ago, I chose him at random, just one of many lost humans hoping to survive in the River of Souls, but he’s grown into a fine man. I’m surprised how much I like looking at him.
And unlike everyone else in my life, he never knew the real Kyranis. He’s the only one who knows me as me, even if under a false name.
It feels good to be seen.
He’s tense in my arms but doesn’t fight the embrace. Nodding, he looks back to Drustan, who watches us with his watery eyes. “If he’s a kelpie, is his skin… sticky too?”
I never considered it myself, but now we are both staring. It’s so interesting to see such mundane things through Luke’s eyes. “I would… assume so.”
Drustan’s lip curls in annoyance. “Excuse me, Your Highness, but I must voice, that I am most definitely not sticky.”
“Are you sure?” Luke asks, cocking his head. “Have you checked?”
I blink and squeeze his shoulder a bit harder when he leans forward, as if about to move. “You want to… touch my coachman?”
“Sorry! No. I—”
Drustan’s expression couldn’t be any sourer. “I am not a mindless beast to be petted and prodded!”
Luke pulls his hands back under the cape, and I already miss his touch. “I understand. I didn’t mean any disrespect. I was just curious,” he mumbles in a voice so velvety sweet I long to coax it back out with my tongue and kiss his warm lips.
How would they taste?
And his skin? Is it as sweet as the meringues it resembles in color?
“I’m sure he doesn’t mind,” I say and guide him to the steps leading into the carriage.
The green glow of the lantern inside gives half of his face an otherworldly sheen. “Is there really nothing I can do for you to take me back?” he asks with a tremble to his voice.
I steady myself, annoyed that for a moment I let myself believe he no longer hates my company. “No. I’m sorry. I need to wed my Dark Companion, and the full moon is tomorrow,” I say, climbing inside.
Behind me, Drustan takes away the steps and closes the door, but I barely take note of his presence, focused on the small human sitting on the padded bench across from me.
Luke clenches his fists on his knees. “What kind of marriage is it if you force me into it? It’s not fair. Why can’t you find someone else? You’re handsome enough.”
I press my lips together, breathing slowly to keep my demeanor calm. I’ve never had to control my expressions, kept out of sight, if not out of mind, but the lack of training is now crawling back, like the thorny vines, about to tear apart my mask of politeness. “Because I cannot tether myself to another human’s shadow for as long as you live. Do you want to die, Luke?”
He stills, and his Adam’s apple bobs when he swallows.
Good. A little bit of fear never killed anyone.
“No,” he mumbles as if my question wasn’t rhetorical, and that somehow annoys me even more.
“If you wanted to keep your shadow, you should have stayed dead, not bargained with it.”
He shakes his head, as if I’m the unreasonable one, and slouches against the door, not even sparing me a glance. Like a spoiled child. My brother would sometimes make that face, in the most egregious circumstances, and I hated him for it. “Are you going to sulk until we reach the castle?” I ask when the carriage moves.
He just shrugs.
Fine. I’ve got no doubt I can play the silence game much better than him.
Chapter 6
Luke
Imight be tired, but the aches and pains in my flesh prevent me from taking even the briefest nap. It doesn’t help that the ride is bumpy, and I share a confined space with a man as infuriating as he is stunning. I’d like to deny his beauty, but I do have functioning eyes.
And I also have a nose, which means I’m enveloped in the luscious scent of his cloak. It’s a mix of leather, some fruit, tied together by a mysterious flowery note. I wonder if that’s how his hair smells too, and if it is as silky as it appears.
Kyranis catches me staring, and when he smirks, I look away, embarrassed. I shouldn’t be lusting after a guy who’s kidnapped me, but I’ve never had good taste in men. No reason to break that pattern now.
He did save me from those thorns in the forest, which further messes with my perception of him. Then again, he didn’t do it because he’s a knight in leather armor. He fought for me because he needs me, but if that’s all there is to it, why did he hold my hand so eagerly, or put his arm over my shoulders? It couldn’t have been only because he thinks me stupid enough to try running away again like some lemming headed for a cliff.