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)
Kyran blanches, and a sob tears from my throat as I think about my beloved suffering in that cold dungeon, all alone while the Sunwolf slowly takes over.
“Is he at large?” Kyran asks, keeping his voice even despite understanding the implications of such bad luck. Even the Lord of the Nocturne Court cannot be safe from the Sunwolf.
“No. I locked him away for his own safety, but you don’t understand.” I point to the vial with my chin. “That is no poison. I simply meant to put you to sleep to have more leverage when you awoke. My Dark Companion is the reason I am here. I now admit freely that I intended to steal from you. The Umlaris Band is my only hope of containing the Sunwolf within him. He isn’t feral, his soul yet survives, but I don’t know how much time we have left. And if you don’t care to help me, I beg you, save him. Put me in the dungeon, lock me away in the human realm forever, or slay me, but show him mercy.” I hang my head as tears streak down my cheeks when I think of the impossible position in which my beloved is in. “He will be a loyal servant of the Nocturne Court if only he gets a chance to keep his mind.”
My heart overflows with sadness. Grief Ocean is just beyond the window, I can hear its waves crashing against the cliffs, and I feel like I’m drowning in its depths.
My vision’s blurred with tears, but I can see Luke’s feet turning toward Kyran’s, his toes even gently stepping on his husband’s.
“Oh, that’s… soul-crushing,” Luke says. I’ve seen that fragility within him since he first appeared at court, but while it used to disgust me, right now, his support is my only chance.
“He and his family attempted to murder me,” Kyran grumbles.
“And now most of them are dead. If you save his Dark Companion, he will be forever in your debt.”
I nod, too beaten to look up. “I never cared for the scheming of my siblings, and never sought power. I know my place,” I say to appease him, but then immediately sob again, because my place is at Hawk’s side. If I don’t save him, if he perishes within the Sunwolf, there will be no place for me to call home ever again.
Kyran exhales, but when Luke all but climbs him to whisper, I know the Lord’s resolve is crumbling. Even great men have weaknesses after all.
“For him to return to Court and flaunt his Dark Companion’s shadow? Luke, he ripped Tristan’s wings off!” Kyran exclaims, but I grasp those words despite having to reveal another of my tragedies.
“He has no shadow! The Sunwolf Crown burned it out of him.” I look up, in hope that this news can sway Kyran’s mind.
He cocks his head as though I’m a curious creature from the deep sea. “You have a Dark Companion without a shadow, and still, you want him back?”
I nod, too choked up to speak. Luke gives him a meaningful glance that must have something to do with what he whispered moments ago.
Kyran sighs and approaches a bell that calls in the guards. I know, because I used to have one just like it in my own chambers. Moments later, the doors open, and the two women I noticed outside enter, both slowing down at the sight of me.
“No, I don’t know how he got past you either,” Kyran says as the guards pull me back to my feet, the shadow tentacle retreating under Kyran’s feet altogether. But then his gaze meets mine, and he shakes his head. “We will venture out at moonrise, when Prince Tristan returns with the hunting party. For now, take him to the tower.”
The two guards share an uncertain glance and one of them speaks. “Your Highness… With all respect due, I have heard of the new power Prince Sylvan possesses. Should we bring the right kind of chains first?”
Kyran shakes his head, staring me down. “That won’t be necessary. His shadowcraft is once more… insignificant.”
A cruel slap to my face, but I’ll take it and ask for another if it means I have a shot at saving Hawk. “But we will use the Umlaris Band? Or at least attempt to?”
“I’m not stepping near the Sunwolf, but yes, I will give you that one chance.”
Kyran’s voice is filled with contempt, and I’m well aware that my actions will be scrutinized, but he’s giving me more mercy than I deserve.
Even when I’m put in chains, my heart feels a bit lighter.
“Thank you, Lord Kyran,” I bow right before he slams the door in my face.
Chapter 39
Sylvan
Ithought I knew what loneliness was. My whole life until Hawk, I had to remain guarded at all times and never got close to anyone. But it’s only now, when he’s been taken away from me, that I understand what loneliness is.