Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115347 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115347 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Elena’s loss still hurt.
Cookie padded the stone with the softest vines while Kaysar sang the sweetest lullaby. Only then did Viori’s husband relinquish his hold on her, laying her upon the bed’s surface as gently as possible.
He smoothed locks of hair from her face and kissed her brow. “Most of our family members are too big for a tent, so I’ll be keeping you in here. But we’ll see to your safety, have no fear.”
Outside, the trees took up posts around the invisible walls, ever-faithful guards.
She dreamed Kaysar and Micah occupied the circle for hours, on opposite sides of the bed, conversing like old friends.
“This has happened before, I’m assuming,” her brother said, collecting and squeezing her hand.
“Many times. From what she’s told me, the sleeps have varied in length...growing longer with every occurrence.” He winced as he admitted the last.
“How long are we talking?”
Another wince. “Decades. Centuries.”
“Centuries,” Kaysar echoed with a hollow tone. He motioned toward the treemen without releasing her hand. “Do you know how many of these beings I’ve killed throughout my lifetime? And all along, they were part of my sister.” Shame and regret coated his words. “How did I not know? How did I not sense it?”
“You think I do not suffer with the same thoughts? But somehow, she has forgiven us both.”
I have. Everyone made mistakes. But they had learned and matured, becoming different people.
“That doesn’t lessen the guilt.” Kaysar heaved a sigh. “I’m leaving now to attend to Chantel, but I will return. Every day, I will return.”
“I’ll remove the tollo, which will allow you to flitter here at will.”
“No need. I stole an amplio.” Squeezing her hand again, Kaysar said, “I would not have picked you for my baby sister for any reason, ever—and I mean that from the bottom of my heart—but I cannot discount your defense of her. You served her well. However, if there comes a day I can discount it, I will do unspeakable things to you. I hope you know that.”
“Kaysar, if ever I fail to defend her, I will deserve those unspeakable things.”
Her brother blinked, as though surprised by such a response. “Yes. Well. Just so we understand each other.” The king was gone a second later.
Alone, Micah lay upon the bed beside her, where he stayed all night, holding her close. By morning, when sunlight lit the sky above them, the treemen had already budded with many leaves and flowers in a variety of colors. The sight stole her breath, even in her dream. Which wasn’t a dream, was it? This was real. This was happening.
This was to be her life, if only she could wake.
“I must speak with our people,” he told her before kissing her temple, “and put the campground to rights. I’ll do as we once discussed. Those who wish to stay and serve us, may. Those who wish to leave and serve your brother are free to go. Peace will settle over the Dusklands, starting today. You will have your palace, with ceilings high enough for the children.” Another kiss, this one pressed against her lips. “I’ll return this evening, love.”
Her heart thudded. Peace. Her own kingdom. A glorious future with Micah.
He kept his word. He returned that evening with a trinket. A glorious tiara with two golden antler horns, one rising from each side. He placed the gift at the base of the bed. “For you,” he said, kissing her brow. Her lips. “Everything I have is for you.” Another kiss. “The first time I saw you, you lay upon a stone altar like this one, with a blanket of moss draped over you, as if you were one with nature. Grown from the forest itself. I wanted you then, and that wanting never stopped. I love you, wife, and I’m very much looking forward to the day you awaken.”
Awaken. Yes. She wanted so badly to open her eyes. Viori fought with everything inside her. What she wouldn’t give to hold him and touch him and kiss him back. To exchange their pledges of love in celebration rather than calamity.
As he held her in his strong arms throughout the next night and the next, she would swear that she felt his heat and scented his—their—citrus scent. Maybe she did. Together, they created paradise. Even Kaysar noted it upon his visits.
More and more leaves and flowers bloomed from the treemen. Soon they created a canopy of greenery over the top of the dome. At night, they retracted their limbs, revealing a night sky scattered with stars. In the morning, they closed the canopy again, blocking out the rays of sunlight, protecting her skin.
Each morning, Micah left only to return a short time later. Many times throughout the day, in fact. Always he brought her a new trinket. Bejeweled arm cuffs coiled like snakes. A necklace dripping with pearls carved to look like thorns. A ring with a rose-shaped ruby resting inside a bed of dewy leaves.