Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
A lump swells in my throat, choking me. But she doesn't give me a chance to respond before she hurries toward the door to go find Reaper. I sit there for a long moment, just staring at the floor.
I'm glad they found me too.
"You handled that well, princess."
"Jesus Christ!" I squeak, jolting as Stephan's deep voice sounds behind me. I spin around, shooting a dark glare at him. "You scared the crap out of me."
He smirks, his gray eyes light with humor. "I can see that," he murmurs, circling around the table toward me.
"Were you spying on us?"
"No, of course not. But Rissa said you were talking to Tori about an injured rabbit we saw today," he says, his eyes locked on my face. "Since there was no injured rabbit, I got curious."
"That's called spying, Stephan."
"I knocked, princess."
"But you didn't let us know you were here."
"You were busy." He shrugs. "And judging by the nature of the conversation, I figured the best thing for me to do was disappear into the shadows and pretend I didn't hear a goddamn word." He tilts his head to the side. "You handled it well."
"Thanks," I grumble, still glaring at him. And then I sigh. "I don't want anything to happen to her because she's hiding something like this out of fear. That's not good for her, her baby, or anyone else."
"You're right." He takes a step toward me, his head still cocked to the side. His expression soft. God, for someone so big, someone so fierce, the way he's looking at me is anything but. It's…overwhelming, honestly.
Who is he? Why do I feel him so intensely when he touches me? Why does he make my heart ache like it might explode if he doesn't keep looking at me the exact same way?
I think the answer to all three questions is roughly the same. And it's terrifying. Because I think he was right out in the forest…it is an impossibility.
Valkyrie can't bond with humans. Not living ones, anyway. And this man is very much alive. I should be glad for that. Life is never wrong. But some selfish part of me is…sad for me. Because the one thing I want—the one person my heart aches for—I'll lose just like I lost my family.
We're immortal—the Valkyrie and the Fae, I mean. But Stephan isn't. He'll live longer than most humans, sure. The Blooded usually do from what I understand. But like every other human, eventually, he'll die too. And if we ever manage to figure out the Portal, I'll be forced to ferry his soul across the Veil, cut off from him forever.
Maybe it's a good thing the Forsaken interrupted him before he could kiss me today. At least I'll never have to miss the feel of his lips against mine when that day comes.
He takes another step toward me.
I jolt up from my chair so quickly, I knock it into the table.
His brows pull together, a frown overtaking his expression as I quickly slide around him, putting distance between us. It's the safe, sane thing to do. It was foolish to think I could get close to him. Unlike with my sisters, there is no possibility of a happy ending waiting here for me. There's just the certainty of inevitable grief.
I'd rather not add to it.
"You probably have things to do," I mumble. "Logs to carry. Nails to…nail. You should go do that. I'll…just go to my room."
"Kara."
"I'm tired anyway. Long day. Lots happening."
"Princess."
"See you later, Stephan," I squeak, rushing toward the hallway.
I barely make it three steps before I feel his hand on my arm, spinning me around. My back lands against the wall, trapped between it and his hard body. He scowls down at me, molten fire in his gray eyes.
"Why are you running from me, princess?" he growls, sliding his hand up my arm to my throat.
My body catches fire, igniting in a fiery blaze.
"I'm not."
"Little liar. You are."
"I'm not." I lick my lips, desperately trying not to think about his touching them. And yet…that's all I can think about. It's all I want, no matter how bad of an idea it is. "I just realized that you were right in the forest."
"About what?" he asks, his hand firm around my throat. He doesn't hurt me, doesn't squeeze. Just holds me like he wants me to know he's there…wants me to know that he's in charge right now.
"This being impossible," I mumble. "It is. Impossible, I mean."
"Yeah? And why is that?"
"Because it just is."
"Liar. Tell me why."
I clench my jaw, refusing to answer.
"Tell me, Kara. Now."
"Because I'm Valkyrie, and you're human," I whisper. "A Valkyrie can't bond with a human, Stephan."
He eyes me for a long moment before tipping my chin back. I practically sob as he slowly, oh so slowly, lowers his head and then brushes his lips against mine.