Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 98082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
“Something like that.”
“Okay, so what did you want to show me? This place?”
“I wanted you to see my great hall, but I really wanted you to see my true form for yourself.”
“True form? Oh God, you’re not going to transform into one of those horn-faced guys,” I breathe.
“No,” he laughs deeply.
“Go stand in the middle of the crest,” he orders.
Nervously, I moved to stand in the middle of the room. I rub my hands on my jeans as I lick my lips and nod for him to show me whatever it is he wants me to see. He gives me a smile and folds his arms across his chest.
“Ben kralım,” he rumbles.
I watch in awe as his piercing disappears, but that’s not the part that sends me stumbling back. The ground shakes and a figure rises up behind Bradan. It looks like a holographic version of him. Both the figure and Bradan have a crown on their head and flames surround the crown.
The figure has a cocky smile, just like Bradan’s. Its arms are folded across its chest in the same exact manner, making me think this projection is an extension of him.
“Very good, little one. He is. This is the avatar form of myself. A manifestation of my powers,” Bradan says to my thoughts.
“What was that you said before he appeared?” I say in almost a whisper.
Bradan moves toward me slowly. When he stops in front of me, he places his hand over my heart. I look up into his eyes and furrow my brows.
“You will know the words for yourself one day. When your heart is ready, they will fall from your lips. For they aren’t words that can be spoken without knowing in your heart that they are true,” he says.
“Oh,” I say, not able to think of anything else.
“I want to show you one more thing,” he says as he strokes my cheek.
I nod and bite my lip. I don’t know how much more information I can handle at this point, but we’re here. I might as well let him get it all out.
He drops his hand from my face, then lifts both hands and claps them together in a prayer-like gesture. The avatar does the same thing from the place he’s been standing in.
Suddenly, smaller versions of the avatar appear. They are taller than Bradan but not as tall as the avatar figure. They look like soldiers made of flames. They all line up in front of the avatar facing me and Bradan.
Bradan steps away from me and the soldier homes in on me. I stumble back a bit and trip over my own feet. The fire soldiers step forward as if to catch me, each stretching out an arm.
I right myself and they straighten, dropping their outstretched arms. I can feel their focus on me. They place a hand over their hearts and drop to one knee, then bow their heads to me. I don’t know what to do, so I just stare.
Bradan moves behind me and wraps his arms around me. He kisses the top of my head, then moves his lips near my ear. A shiver runs through me.
“They are here to protect you. They will fight for you and shield you if ever needed. They are nothing for you to fear.”
I swallow hard. It begins to dawn on me how warm the room has become and how stifling the air is. Bradan gives a deep laugh.
“Maybe you have seen enough for now.”
As quickly as the avatar and soldiers appeared, they all disappear. I wipe the sweat from my forehead and try to process the last hour of my life.
“Now for our first date,” Bradan croons in my ear.
“A date, here?”
“Yes, here,” he says against my lips as he laughs at me. “You still haven’t grasped that I have the power to make something out of nothing. Some things I don’t even think you realize happen because of me. It’s second nature to me, so I’m not making any overly obvious gestures to make you aware.”
“You seem to be very amused by this fact, but are you sure I don’t notice?” I toss back.
He turns me in his hold and stares into my eyes wordlessly. I stare back defiantly. I’m not saying I always know when he uses magic, but I catch on sometimes.
I smirk as his entire appearance changes before my eyes. His hair is now in a topknot. The black T-shirt he was wearing under his cut is now replaced with a crisp white dress shirt with the top four buttons left open, showing off a peek of his broad, tanned chest. His cut is still in place, but as I glance down, I find he’s now in black dress slacks with shiny black dress boots.
He is always a handsome man, but he’s smoldering hot like this. The fact that he’s done this for me makes my heart race. I lick my lips as I give him another once-over.