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)
I pinch his cheek. “No! It’s a surprise. All I can tell you is that the trip there will take several hours, and required me to obtain a special permit.”
He grunts and pushes his hands to my flanks. I stiffen, worried he might try to tickle the truth out of me, but he pulls closer, and our lips meet in the sweetest of kisses. “I also have something for you,” he whispers and reaches into his pocket.
My breath catches in my throat, and I get choked up at the sight of the ring in his fingers. A sapphire, a diamond, and a ruby set in titanium. “Hawk… It’s like the one you gave me on our wedding day! How did you get one just like it?” I sigh as he slips it on my finger. Unlike the one I had to leave behind, this one fits just right.
He clears his throat and kisses first the ring, then each of my knuckles, and this display of tenderness makes my chest tighten. “Remember that time I disappeared and you yelled at me for two hours once I returned?”
My ears heat up in shame. “Was I that bad? I just got really worried…”
He stops me with a gesture and smiles. “I’m not mad. Of course you were worried. But if I told you I was headed to Lepearl’s hideout to buy the ring back, this would not be a surprise.”
My breath catches as I stare at the ring. “It’s the same one? And you even had the size adjusted?” I have to bite the inside of my cheek to fight the tears stinging my eyes. “You are a marvel, my love. More than I could have ever dreamed of.”
Hawk swallows, hesitating, but then he’s pulling me close, and I curl up against his broad chest. Oh, how I love the scent of him. There is nothing more soothing in this world. “You must be joking. You’re literally a prince from another world, and I’m the ‘marvel’?” He chuckles before pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “You made me into an immortal wolf, I live in a castle, and rub elbows with royals. I still sometimes wake up and wonder if it’s all just a dream, but you’re more beautiful than anything I could imagine, so you must really be mine.”
Moths flutter their wings in my stomach when he kisses me. I have never felt more wanted and at peace. “I love you. And I…” I said that I wouldn’t tell him, but now I’m itching to see his reaction. “I thought that if there’s something you miss from the human realm, it’s sunshine. I have arranged a sunny retreat for us. Though I warn you that I will most likely spend a lot of time in the shade.”
He blinks, leaning back, and stares at me as if he were waiting for me to tell him I’m joking. Alas, I am not. “Like… to the human realm?” he chokes out, attempting to control his breathing.
“Yes! And I made sure to confirm that it’ll be safe for you there, as we are going to a remote beach in the Land of Tay.”
When he frowns a little, I wonder if I said the word correctly. “Luke has assured me you would know of this place. Teyland?” I try again, and his eyes grow wide.
“Thailand? We’re going to Thailand?”
The excitement is so clear in his smile I sigh in relief. “That is the name.”
Hawk presses his hand to his chest. “Oh shit! I never even had a passport! Wow!”
I have no concept of what a pass-port is, but after a moment’s thought I figure it must be a permit to cross the border between different lands. Who knew humans can rival us in terms of bureaucracy?
Hawk gets to his feet and pulls me up with a single tug, and before I know what’s going on, we’re dancing. “Fuck, I love you so, so much, Sylvan. You always think about my needs. But I promise I’ll bring you the best mai tais to your shadowy corner!” When he sees the question in my eyes he clarifies, “Cocktails. Sweet alcoholic drinks.”
I smile at my giant. “Will we make that the exception to my no drinking vow? An allowance in the human realm?”
He winks and slides back to the sofa, before bringing me into his lap, which happens to be my favorite place. “Don’t you worry. I’ll make sure you don’t drown.”
The End