Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“You know. You should stop fighting what you feel and go with it.”
I turn to find Dinesh and Bach watching me. Dinesh is the one who spoke. He watches me closely with his light-brown eyes.
“What do you know of what I feel?” I fold my arms over my chest.
“It’s in your eyes. You look at Blaise with great interest,” Bach says as if proud of something.
“I’m to wed someone else,” I say with little conviction. “Besides, Blaise and I are from two different worlds.”
“If you say so.”
“What Dinesh is trying to say is that Blaise may be more like the women you are used to than you think,” Bach says as he glares at Dinesh.
“I doubt that. None of the women where I’m from are half woman, half— what is she exactly?”
Bach frowns and shakes his head. “You continue to look at things with your eyes and not your heart. Things around here aren’t to be seen but felt.”
I mull over his words. Frustration grasps me as the spirit link pulses for its other half. I clench my jaw against the ache.
“Is it safe to say something is going on between you and Blaise? I mean, beyond your curiosity about her. These pains she is complaining about when you’re not around.
“They’re more severe for her than they are for you. You know what they are, don’t you?”
I look into Bach’s eyes and note the concern there. My own concern wins out. I’m in motion before I answer him.
I use my powers to dress as I walk. I will not allow her to be in pain because of me. I move faster as the link pulses.
“Well, I guess that means he does know,” Dinesh says behind me.
“Yes, I do.”
Chapter 12
It’s Okay
Argon
I rush into Blaise’s bedchamber and find her curled in a ball on her side, whimpering in pain. I kick my boots from my feet and climb onto the bed beside her head.
“Shh, it’s okay. Come here,” I coo and move her head to rest in my lap.
I brush a hand over her hair as her body relaxes. She releases a sigh and snuggles her head deeper into my lap. I continue to stroke her hair, being mindful to watch out for her horns.
“Is that better?”
“Yes,” she says softly. “Why does this keep happening?”
I furrow my brows in thought. “I haven’t figured that out yet, but as long as I’m near, you should be fine.”
“Would placing you in this wing help?” Bach asks in concern.
“It might. She would at least be able to come to me.”
Blaise lifts her head and looks at me. “Come to you? Are you doing this to me?”
“Not so much doing it to you, but I do believe it’s because of me. Somehow, we’ve triggered a link.”
“I’ll prepare your new chambers,” Bach announces before he takes off.
“Why does it hurt so much?” Blaise says.
“That I don’t understand. We should feel the link equally. However, I don’t know much about you. Maybe it has something to do with the differences between us.”
“We’re missing our walk,” she whispers tiredly.
“We have time. Rest, I’m not leaving your side. We’ll walk later.”
“Argon?”
“Yes, Blaise.”
“Thank you.”
“Anytime.” I continue to brush a hand over her hair as we shift and settle more comfortably.
Blaise against my chest as I lie back on her pillow. Her scent surrounds me. It’s more pleasant than I expected. The dream was accurate in its depiction.
“You’re so warm and you smell nice,” she says.
Before I can answer, she begins to snore. I chuckle at the sound. It’s adorable.
As she sleeps, my mind circles what’s happening. I don’t know why or how, but somehow, she’s opened my spirit link. I wish Father were here for me to ask.
Could it be this place? Will it close once again when I return home? Do I even want to return?
I’ve enjoyed my last few days with Blaise more than I’ve enjoyed anything in a very long time. I find I’m more confused than I was before I came to rescue Father.
* * *
Blaise
We step into the room, and I cause the lights to come on. I hardly ever come in here, but Ms. Posh and the others keep it clean and functional.
“What do we have here?” Argon asks as we enter the castle’s fencing room.
“We had to change our plans a bit, but I still wanted you to get to spar. This is Father’s old fencing room. We can train in here sometimes,” I say hopefully.
He looks down at me with a smile. “Blaise, you’re half my size.”
“Are you afraid, Argon? I didn’t take you for a coward,” I taunt.
He lifts a brow. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, my lady.”
I wave a hand and a glowing sword appears in my palm. I circle my wrist with the blade in it and take a stance. He turns to look at the practice swords against the wall.