Total pages in book: 362
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
The eather hummed inside me as the very realm itself seemed to hold its breath.
Then it exhaled. Energy rolled out in every direction, the force of it more powerful than any wind I’d felt. Ash dug in, his arms tightening around me as he slid back a foot or so. The pressure even moved the draken as the ground began to tremble once more.
As the eather rippled out, kissing the land in its golden-silver glow, the dull grayness of what was left of the Rot vanished.
“Oh my gods,” I whispered. “Ash.”
“I see it.” His eyes were luminous pools in the gold-and-silver glow of the realm.
Along the road, blades of grass broke free of the top layers of soil and spread out, reaching the river and beyond. Fragile stems sprouted, stretching upward as leaves unfurled, and red buds formed.
“Poppies,” Ash breathed.
They grew along the road in clumps as the twisted trees shook out their gnarled limbs and straightened. Deep, violet leaves burst forth, filling the once-bare branches.
The glow of eather began to fade, and the energy left the air. Night fell once more. Starlight returned, and none of us moved as we stood there, listening to the hum of rushing water and the wind shaking the leaves.
My gaze fell on the poppies. They opened, slowly revealing their crimson petals to the stars.
“I hope the poppies are in a good mood,” I said. “And don’t poison us.”
Ash didn’t answer.
Heart thumping, I tore my gaze from the flowers.
Ash was staring at me with eyes wide and full of swirling streaks of eather, lips parted enough that I could see the tips of his fangs.
I touched his chest. “Ash?”
His throat worked on a swallow. “How are you feeling?”
“Normal. Fine.” I searched his features. He looked a little pale. “How are you feeling?”
He shook his head silently as he lowered himself to one knee before me, my hand still held in his.
A jolt ran through me. This wasn’t the first time he’d done this. I’d never forget how, upon learning that I carried the true embers of the Primal of Life, he’d knelt before me. It still shocked me.
Crolee rocked back then, lifting his head to the night sky. His call echoed Ehthawn’s—one I heard in my bones and understood as Ash’s lashes lifted. Molten silver eyes pierced the night.
“Awed,” he rasped. “I’m in fucking awe of you.” He bowed his head, pressing his lips to my palm and the golden swirl of our marriage imprint. A faint tremble radiated from his hand to mine. “My Queen.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
I woke to find myself half-sprawled across Ash’s chest and feeling…strange.
And nauseous.
I lifted my head, glancing toward the balcony doors. The world outside still carried the darkness of night. Gods, I couldn’t have slept that long after returning to our chambers.
I started to lay back down when the inside of my mouth filled with saliva, forcing me to quickly swallow. My eyes widened at the acidic taste in my mouth.
Oh, gods, I wouldn’t vomit on Ash as he slept. Or anytime.
Carefully, I eased out of his lax embrace, not wanting to wake him.
I failed.
Before my foot even hit the floor, Ash stirred. “Liessa…”
“It’s okay,” I assured him, wincing at the churning in my stomach. “I’m just getting something to drink and going to the bathing chamber. I’ll be right back.”
“Hurry.”
I smiled despite the nausea and quickly rose. Padding barefoot across the floor, I stopped at the small table and poured myself a glass of water. Taking a few quick sips, I glanced at the bed and made my way to the bathing chamber. Ash remained on his back, one arm curved against the pillow beside him and the other hand resting on the blanket gathered at his lean hips. Despite feeling queasy, heat pooled low in my core. As weird as it sounded, there was something decadently sensual about a sleeping man. I’d never noticed before.
Gods, I wanted to rip that blanket aside and straddle him.
A sleepy growl rumbled from Ash’s chest, causing tight, fine shivers to race down my spine.
“Liessa,” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep and… I inhaled deeply, catching the scent of his arousal. “I can taste your slickness on my tongue.”
My lips parted at the sharp pang of desire his words elicited.
The deep growl came again. “You should come back to bed now.”
I was half-tempted to do just that, but until I was sure I wouldn’t throw up, I figured it would be a bad idea. “I’ll be right back.”
His snarl of disapproval brought another smile to my face as I tore my gaze from him and entered the chamber. I drank as much water as I could, erasing the taste in my mouth before placing the glass on the vanity. Luckily, as I took care of personal needs, the nausea subsided. I felt completely normal.