Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49027 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49027 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Did he really not know the reason for Boraleashe’s unrestrained fury? Well, if he didn’t know, then he’d help him understand. Theodor headed his way, but Boraleashe turned his back on him and made his way to the front of the court with Notalus.
His brother was so damn happy he took no notice of Boraleashe’s sour mood.
“Boraleashe, my husband and I were heading over to the orchard fields to observe the new harvest of blue beans if you’d like to join us.”
As horrific as that sounds. “No, thank you,” Boraleashe answered. “I think I’ll go back to my room for a rest.”
“That’s a good idea.” Notalus nodded without argument.
After his brother walked off, Boraleashe continued to glare at Theodor, who was still engaged in what looked to be an intimate conversation. He could just imagine the number of young, beautiful suitors vying for the king’s hand.
Boraleashe’s anger rippled through him, multiplying in every cell until it began to seep through his pores. He was a master at not showing emotion—he was a titan with a frozen heart—so he reacted in the only way the curse allowed. With rage, fear, and pain.
His wind came fast and frigid.
His viceroy tried to stop him. Icicles formed on Boraleashe’s fingertips, and a light dusting of frost settled around him before he took off into the too-warm sky.
“Uggh.” The heat was god-awful in this realm. He couldn’t stand this damn temperature.
He forced colder air from the north and used it to propel him to his quarters on the other side of the palace.
In Amárach, he could sail on a blissfully cold wind for an entire day and never tire of the comfort. If Boraleashe couldn’t handle the elevated degrees of autumn, then he was positive he’d die of heatstroke if he visited Zepharali in the Summer Lands. But here, everything was scorching, and Boraleashe’s body couldn’t stand it. Perhaps that was what was spurring his irritability and unacceptable behavior and not that piece-of-shit vulture who’d made an attempt at what he so desperately wanted. No, needed… He needed Theodor.
Boraleashe landed on the balcony, careful not to cause too much damage. He stormed into the room, leaving a trail of frost behind him. His hands tingled, and his pulse raced. He paced back and forth for a few moments. Images of Theodor touching him, whispering into him, and his seductive wind caressing his insides flashed across his mind too fast for him to stop them.
“Boraleashe!” Adresin exploded through the double doors to their quarters with the few members of their court trailing behind him. “How dare you make a spectacle of yourself like that? What do you think the king thought of your behavior? Do you think he thought it befitting of a consort?”
Boraleashe whirled around, gaping at his viceroy. “Consort! Have you lost your mind?”
“Theodor will not love you any other way. Please understand. You can’t sense his heart because of the curse, but it’s apparent he can somehow still sense yours. And he’s the only one. We’ve searched so many realms, from the Impossible Plains to the Deadlands, for a remedy or for another that could get as close as Theodor did. And there is no one!”
“Leave me,” Boraleashe sighed, feeling defeated. It was a crippling sensation for a titan.
“My lord, please—”
“I said to leave!” he thundered, thrusting his hands forward and pushing his men out of his suite on a gust of ferocious, icy wind.
“I am seriously fucking this up,” he rumbled, dropping into the chair behind him.
He yanked off his robe and tossed it to the side, not caring that it hit the floor. He pulled at the collar of his tunic, becoming frustrated when he couldn’t release the clasp. Boraleashe was a second away from tearing the thing to shreds when there was a light tap on the door, and Notalus’ personal servant, Iulien, walked inside.
“I don’t require any services at the moment, thank you,” Boraleashe said curtly. “I just want to be left alone.”
Iulien began to hum a soothing melody that pulsated through the room like an echo. Annoyance tried to grip Boraleashe’s throat, his lips pursed to tell Iulien to go back the way he’d come. But a hint of relief started in his chest and spread throughout his limbs. Iulien glided toward him, the humming sound growing softer and bolder at the same time. Boraleashe’s pulse slowed to a crawl, his anger waning as Iulien guided him by his elbow toward the washroom.
“You have suffered a great deal, lord.” Iulien’s voice was angelic, and Boraleashe wanted him to keep talking, to keep soothing him. “You have traveled a long way for something very precious.”
Boraleashe thought of the treasure he’d come to Autumn for and the pain they’d both endure if Theodor did not leave with him. His pulse quickened with panic, but the moment Iulien opened the double doors to the wash chambers, a breeze of cool air coasted toward him, creating a sense of peace he only felt in certain areas of his home.