Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 119158 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119158 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Nylian shook his head. “Then send him to West Vale. Escort him there personally, if you must. I promised Jasper and Adeline that he would be trained properly, and I will not break that promise to them. She’s saved my life more times than I care to think about.”
“As you wish.” The tighter Nylian’s voice became, the more cautious Thallan’s tone grew. Even though Nylian had no expression on his face, there were signs of tension at the corners of his eyes and mouth that convinced me he was barely holding it together. He needed somewhere safe where he could deal with his emotions, and soon, rather than bottling them up and shoving them down where they could bubble and boil into a toxic brew that ate away at his soul.
“Your Grace, could you have someone show us to a room where we can sleep? Possibly have a tray of food sent up? I don’t think I am up for socializing this evening. I’m sure you understand,” I interjected with a bright smile while placing a hand on Nylian’s too-stiff shoulder.
“Of course.” The duke bowed to me and turned toward Nylian. “Nephew, please get some rest. If you need anything, I am at your disposal.”
Nylian didn’t say a word. He managed one small nod and swept out of the room, not even waiting for a servant to guide us.
The elf was a ticking time bomb.
Chapter 24
Good-bye Old Life
The room assigned to us wasn’t as elegant or over-the-top fancy as the one we had in Ulmenor, but that was understandable considering this was a place built for war, not to house royals on vacation.
Still, there were heavy velvet curtains to block out the early morning light and to protect the occupants from drafts during those cold winter nights. The bed was narrow, but right now, all I wanted to do was snuggle as close to Nylian as possible while wrapping my arms and legs around him.
But that was not what he needed.
The man needed to explode. He needed to shout and possibly break a few things.
Yet, he was simply standing in the center of the room, his hands balled into fists at his side, every muscle in his body taut and trembling with tension. The slightest thing was going to make him snap. I didn’t want him to direct that destructive energy at me, but I’d take it if it meant him feeling better.
“Let it out, Nylian,” I ordered when we were alone.
“There’s nothing to let out,” the elf bit out, turning his back to me.
“Oh, bullshit! That’s complete and utter bullshit.”
“You forget, Prince Victor, that elves don’t feel intense emotions like humans.”
I rolled my eyes and stomped over so I was standing in front of him. “Don’t give me that arrogant nonsense. You’re so pissed that every muscle is tensed. If I shoved a piece of coal up your ass right now, you’d shit out a diamond come morning.” That at least got him to blink at me as though I’d lost my mind, but the distraction lasted only a second before a scowl formed on his face. He started to turn away again, but I grabbed his arms and forced him to remain looking at me. “Let it out!” I shook him. “Your father is a fucking asshole! He used you as a distraction! He soiled your good name and let you think your twin brother was dead.”
Nylian fought to shake off my hands, but I wasn’t letting go. “There was a good reason.”
“Fuck his reason!”
All of Nylian’s control finally snapped. He cast off my hold, nearly knocking me to the floor. He zipped across the room, snatched something up from a table, and threw it at the nearest wall. The decoration shattered into a thousand pieces, creating a glittering starburst. He continued his destruction while I scrambled to get out of his way. Two small tables were smashed, and a set of teacups and a pitcher joined the other broken glass. I didn’t step in until he drew his sword and seemed as if he planned to attack the bed.
With my hand wrapped around his on the hilt, I forced his arm over his head while placing my other arm on his waist, pulling him in close. His breathing was rapid gasps, and his pupils were blown wide, the black nearly consuming the sparkling green I loved.
“You can destroy anything you want, just not with weapons. One of us will get hurt,” I bargained.
Gritting his teeth, Nylian shoved me away. He lifted the sword and took a step toward the bed, but froze. The sword dropped but slowly, as if I were watching all the anger drain out of his body. The weapon slipped from limp fingers to clatter loudly on the stone floor. He stumbled back to the center of the room and I caught him as his legs gave out, guiding us both to sit on the floor.