Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 57184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
“I’m not human anymore. And nothing you’ve just said qualifies as a reason to give you my blind trust. Sorry, bud.”
“Then how about I love you?”
I scoff. “Nice try. Wall Men don’t believe in love.” It’s all about duty.
“And yet, my eldest brother, Bardolf, loved you, too. He gave his life for you.”
Bard broke a law prohibiting the War People from crossing the bridges into my world. It was right after Grandma died, and I was going to have to sell River Wall Manor because I had no money to pay the inheritance tax. But then Bard, who’d already been living in my world when the law went into effect, had the bright idea to go to Monsterland and convince Alwar to give me a diamond I could cash in to save the estate. Bard was successful, but then, like a fool, he decided to come back to River Wall. That’s when he broke the law.
He should’ve stayed in Monsterland. He should’ve chosen to live. But he didn’t. He knew I was all alone and put me first.
I swallow hard. “Well, I can’t argue that Bard and I felt something for each other. Once. But that’s in the past. And it doesn’t mean I can trust you or him. He’s the king of the No Ones and—”
“You’re now our queen, his queen, because he supported you. Have you ever considered that maybe it was destiny? Him. You. Me. Alwar. As my mother used to say: a good chair has four legs.”
I’m not following. He thinks we’re all part of a chair? “Is this chair made of ironclad unbreakable loyalty?”
“Once again,” he says, “why are you here, Lake?”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck! Everything in my mind says not to trust him, but my heart really wants to. I could use someone on my side.
No. I can’t give in. Too many lives are at stake back home. We’re talking six billion people and all the animals. My world is just too special to roll the dice. I can’t expect him to side with me when he loves his people too.
“I am here,” I lie, “because…” My mind draws a blank. It has to be something he’ll believe, some explanation as to why I came to the temple without Alwar. “I think I’m pregnant,” I blurt out.
Why the hell did I just say that?
His face turns pale, and he looks like he’s been hit by a train. “Excuse me?”
“I didn’t want to say anything until I knew for sure.” I place a hand over my stomach. “I mean, I was so sick after being held prisoner by Benicio that I hadn’t had my period in a long time. Then you and I had sex, and then I was killed and turned into…you know the rest.”
“But why do you think you’re pregnant?”
I shrug. “It’s just a sense. So I came here to find out if that’s even possible—if there are any records of it happening.”
“A pregnant Blood woman has never happened before, but perhaps…with you being human and pregnant first? I do not know.” Gabrio sits on the cot and stares at the floor.
I can’t believe he’s buying this.
“This will devastate Alwar,” he mutters to himself. “He’s already taken much criticism after telling our people he had me proxy for him to consummate the marriage. He will lose the throne if you are carrying another man’s child.”
“They won’t let him be king of the War People?”
Gabrio shakes his head. “It is one thing for him to have married you, a human, out of necessity for our people. Most understand. But his wife impregnated by his own brother—one who has been ostracized for no longer being a War man—he will not survive the humiliation.”
“Then let’s hope I’m wrong.”
Gabrio stands and starts removing his shirt, exposing his thick muscled arms, bulging pecs, and washboard stomach.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“I was told you need to eat.”
That was an abrupt change of subject.
I step away from him. “No, Gabrio. I meant what I said before. It’s too dangerous.”
“You might not trust me, but I trust you.” He walks up to me, pressing the front of his body against mine. He feels so hot and smells so sweet.
My mouth waters, and I lick my lips. “But what if I go too far and can’t stop?”
“I have already risked my life for you once. I am not afraid to do it again.” He leans his head down and kisses me. I don’t fight it because I’m way too fixated on the sound of his pulse. It’s like an indulgent song, calling to me.
He pulls away and turns his head, exposing his thick, strong neck with cords of muscles that slope into broad shoulders. “Come on. Do it, Lake. I am not afraid.”
I’m too hungry to resist this time.
I bite down on the nape of his neck, and the bloodlust takes over the moment his warm sweet blood touches my tongue. It slides down my cold throat like a salve for all my problems, and I instantly know I won’t be able to stop. He tastes fucking amazing, way better than I imagined. My rational mind fades away, replaced by something primal. I want to devour him, fuck him, make him mine.