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)
“There is a monstrous creature called Heartbreak, and every few years, or sometimes in longer intervals, it will approach the shores and threaten our people. It’s like no monster you can imagine. Unlike a lion or shark,” I try to mention animals he might know, “it is like a mountain in the sea. Giant, ancient, I believe, without consciousness. It cannot be killed. It is like a storm. But it can be chased away, and that is what the royals and any knight with a Dark Companion is supposed to help with. And yet…” I take a deep breath, unsure if I should tell him about this, but when we get to the Nocturne Court, an unfriendly soul will surely tell him all about my cowardice. “The last time it approached, I saw its towering form on the horizon, its bulging flesh, its sheer size, and I just couldn’t face it. The Lord and his Companion managed to push it back, but my brother died in the attack.”
Hawk’s eyes open, and he gives my hand a tender squeeze. “I’m sorry. It must have been terrible to lose a sibling. I can’t imagine.”
I entwine my fingers with his. “I lost all three of them in close succession two months ago. A brother and two sisters. But while I feel more alone than ever before, you have to understand my family has never been like the ones in your television shows, unless the show is The Sopranos. One of my sisters was executed for attempted murder, the other died trying to get a Dark Companion of her own and failing, while my brother died fighting Heartbreak. He also betrayed Lord Kyran. As the younger brother, born with neither strength nor talent for shadowcraft, I was always groomed to support my siblings, especially my brother, who was supposed to take over the Nocturne Court when the opportunity arose. I am boring you with all these Court politics, surely. What I’m trying to say is that my family isn’t close. We’ve been like a den of vipers, together only for convenience. Now, only my mother remains, since my father is in exile as well. I might replace what my brother had been to her, but I have to come back with power. Your shadow is that power.”
Hawk whistles. “Wow, and I thought my family was messed up.” He exhales and rolls over, so he’s facing my stomach with his head still in my lap. “Don’t repeat that to them, obviously, but I didn’t really miss them when I was in the can. I do love them, in a way, but I’m not worried about losing touch with them. I know they’re not the worst family one can have, but I think I was my worst self whenever I was around them. Which, I guess, is me saying that I can go wherever you want to. I’m on the run from the law and have nothing to go back to. I need to be somewhere outside police jurisdiction.”
His hair isn’t the silkiest, but it’s long, dark, and smells nice. I enjoy stroking it as if he were my pet beast, a little rough around the edges. “I promise you I will not be a coward again. I will not run away when we face danger. As soon as I have your shadow, I will protect you.” I lean down and kiss him. He might be twice my size, but he doesn’t truly understand what might await us when we enter the Nightmare Realm illegally. I don’t want to scare him with the whole truth, but everyone needs someone they trust, and I want us to be that for each other. He’s already promised himself to me, and I shall not fail him.
Hawk grins, nipping my lips when I try to pull away. “Right back at you, princeling. Me, and my mean, muscular shadow, are ready to protect you too. Nothing’s gonna happen to you if I can stop it. I just hope your mom isn’t going to kick me out the moment she sees me.”
I snort, imagining my mother’s face at the sight of him. “Oh, I have no doubt she will criticize my choice, but she will respect it when she sees your shadow. And it is my choice to share my bed with you as well, whether she likes it or not.” It only now strikes me just how stuck I was under my whole family’s boot, always knocked down a peg whenever I dared stick my neck out.
“Hmmm, they can try to stop me from sharing your bed. Not gonna happen.” Hawk chuckles, and as he rolls his face against my crotch, the vibrations from his hum awaken all my senses. “Big, dirty human leaving his hot cum inside a beautiful prince like you. Such a disgrace,” he mumbles, kissing my cock through the fabric.