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)
She hesitated a split second before easing onto the pallet. Which wasn’t as dumb as it seemed. No, no, it wasn’t dumb at all. Unlike Micah, she did the intelligent thing. She stayed aware and as far away from him as possible while remaining on the furs.
Ohhhh. As she settled more deeply into the softness, she gasped at the decadence. This was nice. Extremely nice. Bordering on divine. In mere seconds, he radiated more warmth than Laken during the totality of their relationship.
A pang of regret blossomed, fertilized by endless fury. She’d made so many mistakes in her life, but Laken might be the worst. Trusting someone, putting her heart in his palm, only led to squashing. Yet, knowing this, she couldn’t stop herself from inching closer to the mighty king of the Dusklands. Merely the tiniest bit, though, and oh, so careful not to wake him. Very much worth the risk. Hmm. Much better.
She burrowed in place, ready to do her thinking...except, being nearer to him first might not be such a terrible idea. Stealing a bit more of his warmth could only aid her coming thought processes.
Viori scooted closer. And closer. Yes, yes. She’d made the right decision. She could literally feel herself getting smarter. When her arm grazed Micah’s, she stiffened in horror and groaned in pleasure. In unison. Too close! Not close enough! His skin had the same effect as a branding iron, singeing her. And he smelled like citrus and flowers. The bouquet she’d scented too long ago.
Even as her mind warred over distance and desire, she curled into his side and moaned, content. Defenses toppled without warning. Before she kicked off reconstruction, a wild flurry of thoughts registered.
This man. He was, without a doubt, her enemy. And yet, she might kill to remain in this bed. His bed. With him. Not for pleasure but comfort. Only comfort. And conversation. Though gruff, he had been nothing but kind.
No, no. He simply played the part of innocent better than most. That was all. A facade he couldn’t keep up for long. The truth of his nature lay in his desire to end her brother and her children. In his heart of hearts, Micah was a killer.
Well. Consider the rebuilding of her defenses completed. She didn’t need conversation or comfort. She had her family and her purpose. Proving her worth and reconnecting with Kaysar. Micah stood in her way, so Micah was getting axed. End of story.
On instinct, she curled her fingers, preparing her nails for battle. Today, the king had encountered his downfall. He just didn’t know it. He was... He...
Heavy eyelids drifted closed, and her mind faded to black.
* * *
“UP, UP.” A SLIGHT shaking accompanied a firm voice.
Viori nestled against the warmest, most amazing blanket in history, snug and at peace for the first time in...ever. But that blanket moved, attempting to squirm free of her weight.
“Mine,” she muttered, sinking her claws into the fabric. Hmm. Since when did cotton develop so many muscles?
A hissing sound preceded the fan of breath on her ear. The sleepy haze encasing Viori’s mind thinned, and she blinked open burning eyes. So bright!
Memories of a freezing bath and hot embrace flashed, and she scrambled upright. She’d fallen asleep, leaving herself unprotected? Wait. A familiar tunic caught her attention. She wasn’t lying on the realm’s sexiest blanket? No, oh no, no, no. She’d fallen asleep on top of Micah, hadn’t she?
Radiating impatience, he dumped her and rose, keeping his back to her. “Get dressed. After we eat breakfast, we’re taking a trip to my dungeon.” He gathered a bundle of clean clothes and strode toward the exit.
Wait. “Dungeon?” she echoed, jerking upright. Had Micah discovered her true identity?
Cold, hard reality settled in, the tail end of the dream haze waning. A trip to a torture chamber? A prison cell? Allow herself to be abused and confined? Never. “You’ll have to beat me to death first!”
He paused with one foot out of the tent, the muscles in his shoulder bunching. “What is it with you and beatings? No, you know what? Don’t tell me. Next time, do us both a favor and remember my vow when you doubt my intentions instead of assuming the worst of me.” That said, he was gone, taking his furnace of a body with him.
As if his vow had anything to do with anything! He would break his word the moment he learned of her connection to Kaysar. He—Wait. If he knew she and Kaysar were siblings, he would have grabbed the nearest set of chains, not left her to her own devices. No, he wasn’t planning to incarcerate her.
Relief deflated the bubble of panic. She hadn’t been found out. Her plan rolled on, making her a fae on a mission, with a specific purpose. Learn and sabotage.