Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
He lets the memory steep, and I look up to find a small smile on his lips and his eyes distant. “I told her there would be no pay, really. That I wasn’t exactly looking for another house maiden, and that I just wanted to let her know she was safe and protected. She said pay wasn’t necessary. She said…” He clears his throat. “She said to me that day that working for me would be the greatest honor of her life.”
“Wow,” I whisper. “That’s so beautiful.”
“Yes. And we had another house maiden around, but she paled in comparison to Della, so I let her go. Kept just the one. Never regretted it.”
I laugh. “She really loved you. And she took pride in her work here. I can tell.” I hug him tighter, pressing my ear to his chest again.
“Loving me may as well be a death wish.”
“Stop doing that,” I groan. “Please. You are not a burden to me, or your family, or to anyone else in your life. You’re not to blame for bad things happening. Bad things happen regardless. Look at me. A woman from Earth, with an estranged father, a dead mother, and a missing brother.”
At the thought of Warren, I sit up rapidly. “Oh my gosh, Warren! We are still going to find him aren’t—”
“Yes,” Caz laughs, pulling me back down to his chest. “We will look for your brother. But not at this moment.” With a sigh, he wraps his arms around me and holds me close to his chest. “Right now, I only want to be with you. Everything else can wait a while.”
Chapter 65
CAZ
As the sun splits through the clouds, shining through the window of the balcony doors, I watch Willow sleep. The warm rays spill onto her bare back as she rests on her stomach, breathing softly. Her warm brown skin is smooth to the touch as I run a finger down her spine. She sighs in her sleep, and I smile before focusing on that glint of sunlight.
It’s interesting because the sun hardly reveals itself in Blackwater, yet it shines today after all that chaos like a symbol of victory. It’s a brilliant reminder that life goes on, and that I still have much to be thankful for.
Hell, perhaps the rising of the sun is the work of Hassha. She knows what we’ve gone through, and she controls the way the sun, moon, and stars work. Regals supposedly feel and know nearly everything about the people they encounter, and I’m sure they can sense the dread that has filled me that is bordering on depression. The only reason I’m not losing my mind is because of Willow. She’s been with me all night, not daring to leave my side. I’m grateful for that—to have someone who cares. Someone who can be right here with me without it hurting.
She held me the majority of the night until she drifted to sleep, her head on my chest, her soft palm on my stomach. It felt nice, and I savored every second of it.
With the comfort I have here in my bedroom, I can’t bring myself to go downstairs with my family right away. I hear them as they march through the corridors. Killian and Rowan are usually early risers, but no one beats Maeve. Despite the largeness of the house, I hear her in the kitchen making a ruckus. I bet she’s wishing Della were here.
Della…
I keep asking myself if it hadn’t been Della—Regals rest her soul—then it could’ve been one of my other clan members. How do I face them knowing one of them could’ve died? Knowing they could’ve been taken from me within the blink of an eye?
The question torments me and I sigh, picking up my case of blooms from the nightstand and walking to the balcony. I step out, sparking it and inhaling, allowing the smoke tendrils to wash away with the breeze as I exhale. The sun rays bathe me in their warmth, and I draw in a cleansing breath, slowly releasing it before taking another pull of the bloom.
I have so many regrets. Though the sun shines and it’s a new day, my family won’t be safe forever, and neither will Willow. But I have power. And when I think of that power, I pull from my bloom again and stare out at the sea. There’s work to return to, and nothing about my role has changed.
The Council still remains, and I’m certain I’ll hear from them soon about the trip to Inferno Isle, that wretched island made of lava, flames, and creatures that can kill a man with one swipe of its claw. I’m positive they’re aware of the events that have occurred with me being sent to Earth and dealing with the Regals but it’s highly unlikely for them to cut me a break. They’ll be chasing me down soon. Then there’s Rami’s son, the boy I’m supposed to mentor and train to become a monarch. I must get to him before people fill his head with ruthless thoughts and lies about me. There are the rubies we must mine for, for the Rippies. I’ll have to chat with the Blackwater citizens, lay it out on the table and let them know the truth about the mining, but in doing that, I’ll have to reveal who my mate is and why I acted against Rami in the first place, and that doesn’t come without jeopardy.