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 smile at him. “I love surprises.”
Chapter 20
Luke
Guards in armor that’s been polished to perfection stand watch along the corridor as Kyran leads me forward like a book boyfriend come to life. I half expect him to carry me to a Rolls-Royce in front of a jealous ex and frenemies, but the people I dislike aren’t here, and his kelpie-drawn carriage is so much better than even the fanciest car.
Not that it matters, since I'm staying here temporarily.
The boots on my feet are so light and comfortable, it’s like wearing clouds, the pants make me feel like a movie star walking the red carpet, and Kyran is easily the best-looking man I’ve ever seen. And attentive in bed on top of that. What is there not to like? Why not enjoy myself for a month in this gothic wonderland?
I slow down to take in a tapestry depicting knights in black armor holding their swords up. They stand knee deep in water as lighting strikes the moon above them. To the right, a massive shape floats closer. It has no mouth, no eyes, and it’s made of hundreds of naked bodies, their arms reaching out helplessly, fingers like claws. Sparkling jewels in pink, red, and orange adorn the artwork where the creature’s bulk emerges from the waves. Under the surface, the monster becomes a shimmering cacophony of dark green, then black, yet it’s decorated with the same artistry.
“Is this Heartbreak? It can’t be this big, right?”
Kyran sighs, giving the tapestry a reluctant glance. “It can, but I can assure you, it is much more hideous than any artist can imagine.”
“Everything is so darkly beautiful here. My world is so mundane in comparison.”
“Ah, but you are not,” my personal knight says and kisses my knuckles as we walk the lengthy corridor toward a doorway guarded by two elves.
“Then it’s only fitting that I get a man who looks like a Prince of Darkness.” I smile at him appreciatively.
“I am the Prince of Darkness.” Kyran winks at me, and I chuckle, because it’s true.
He’s taller than me, broad-shouldered, and the leather outfit showcases his form so magnificently I could just about pull him into a broom closet and jump his bones.
But we’re pretending to date while staying chaste… the exact opposite of what is actually happening, so no can do. Not with so many guards watching at least.
Kyran smiles and strokes my hand with his thumb as we approach the ornate doors. Two female knights open them for us, revealing a huge space with ceilings higher than the roof of my mother’s house. The walls are covered with gold, silver, and copper paint arranged into scenes featuring heroic deeds. The room is also full of courtiers, who disperse to stand by the walls the moment music starts playing on a balcony above.
Tristan doesn’t have my hat on when he approaches. In fact, he’s wearing a metal breast plate. I knew I could trust him last night, but I didn’t even need to look for him. He found me as I was dragging Kyran off the beach, and organized help within minutes.
His long red hair is tied back into a braid, but from behind him emerges a small elven lady with the same hair and golden eyes as him. At first glance, I assume her high-waisted dress is a fashion choice, but then I realize she’s displaying a pregnancy bump.
As soon as all the polite greetings with Kyran are exchanged, I am introduced to Sabine Bloodweed, Tristan’s sister.
“I am so excited to meet you, Luke, and I cannot wait to hear all about what’s new in your world. I’m a scholar you see, and I’m beyond fascinated with where you come from. I have something for you.”
I perk up while Kyran watches at my side. Sabine hands me something small swaddled in a silk handkerchief. I smile as soon as I open the parcel and spot my enamel pin. It’s not big, maybe two inches long, and features a red cartoony lobster with the words Lobster n’ Roll wrapped around it.
“I thought it got burned with my clothes!”
Sabine shakes her head. “Tristan kept it. Maybe for the wrong reasons,” she says, side-eyeing him, “but I figured it might be an heirloom, so I insisted that we return it.”
I pin it to my chest. “It’s not, but it’s important to me. Thank you so much.”
She beams and places her hands on her rounded stomach. “I am so joyful. Perhaps you will be so kind as to come up with a name for my child. I was considering Biff, but my husband dislikes it. What do you think? Is that a good human name?” she asks, taking her time while all the other courtiers stand by the walls and stare at us, whispering.
For a moment, I imagine an elven royal called like an 80s movie bully. “M-maybe this isn’t the right moment for it. But I’d be happy to help.”