Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 140462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 702(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 468(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 702(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 468(@300wpm)
His smile is so bright when I look up at him that despite the fatigue and the damn heat inside, all I feel is love. “Or we could have a small house in the woods close to the city. We could trap those bats and then sell them from a little stall in the market.”
Sylvan grabs my hand and leads the way, unafraid of what might be lurking inside the ruins. “I like that. You would have an easier time sneaking away to roam if the Sunwolf needs to stretch his legs. We will take a boat and leave these shores behind. I know of an elf that could take us across the water. She’s usually moored not far from here.”
He turns to kiss me as we enter the cool mansion, and for once, I don’t miss the sun. In fact, I welcome the chill of the abandoned castle.
Chapter 33
Sylvan
The old me would have said I lost everything I’ve risked so much for—my position, my Dark Companion, even any chance for a meaningful future. But as we leave the mossy walls of the werewolf castle, I can’t stop laughing at the stupid prank my man pulled on me when he hid behind a door and gave me a scare. As much as I miss some aspects of my old life, I am not the same man anymore, and Hawk is the reason. He is why I smile so much my cheeks hurt, why I always feel warm, and why the future, difficult and unknown as it might be, does not feel bleak anymore.
Despite spending a whole night at a ruined castle that’s rumored to be cursed, I wake up in high spirits. It might have something to do with the fact that I got to sleep on the best of beds—Hawk’s fur. We settled in a relatively clean and dry room on the first floor, but while the building was overcome by icy, damp air, I felt warm and safe when tucked against my man’s side. We even found an unopened bottle of wine. I refused to drink it due to my new vow of sobriety, but Hawk got to enjoy it while we explored the abandoned structure.
The dungeon where werewolves used to keep their brethren during fits of rage remains locked behind a huge round door. I was curious what hides beyond it, but when Hawk started kissing my ears, my desire for him won out, and we retreated to the room we picked for the night.
In the morning, we stumbled upon raspberry bushes, which supplied us with breakfast. The last stretch of our walk toward the cove where I hope to board a boat that will take us past the straits and out of the lands ruled by my cousin Kyran, Hawk decided to walk in his human form. It’s for the better, since an oversized wolf radiating golden light is difficult to miss, and the last thing I want is for the Nocturne Court to find out about his existence. If Kyran discovered the Sunwolf was on the loose, he’d hunt us down like he had Heartbreak, and I refuse to let anything happen to my husband.
I meant every word I told him during our wedding vows, and if protecting him means foregoing any rights I might have as a royal, then so be it. He is and always will be more precious to me than titles, finery, and comforts.
Despite it being a chilly day, and the wind blowing at us constantly, he’s not only offered me his coat, for additional warmth, but even took off his thin shirt, and has been walking bare-chested for the past two hours.
I do remember reading that werewolves tend to have a much higher body temperature than elves (or humans), so maybe his new body acts in a similar way? Not to mention that my sister Vinia, who had the rare power of Sunlight, tended to run hot too. This issue will require more research. Hopefully, once we settle, I will have access to a library of some kind, or at least to decent book vendors.
That is something to worry about in the future though, as now our priority is to leave the Nocturne Coast and head for the shores of Ravanzia. And since we can’t risk boarding a legitimate vessel, we’re making our way down a path known solely to those who might need alternative routes of travel. Just like with the grimsmith, I do have to begrudgingly admit my mother has equipped me with knowledge of people and places that might come in handy if I ever needed to flee the Nocturne Court. Or return to it for that matter, though my familiarity with secret passages allowing to enter the castle unnoticed will never again be of use.
It’s a clear day, and while the moon only presents us with the larger half of its face, it emits enough light to make the waves ahead glint like quicksilver. The lines of the rocky slopes on either side of our way into the cove look sharp enough to cut into flesh, and the caverns around it might make perfect hiding spots for bandits, but I fear nothing as long as Hawk is holding my hand, so we joke around and tell each other stories. His are less bloody, though I do appreciate the one which features women cutting off chunks of their feet in order to fit a crystal shoe and marry a prince.