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)
“Guess what?” she exclaimed, clutching his tunic as if they were a couple. As if she favored him.
Was this fantasy-come-true actually happening? The sweet wine she’d imbibed before his departure—as well as after it apparently—was offered only during a feast like this one. The potent liquid stripped a mind of any fear, helping the drinker see their deepest desires. Did this female envision a future with him? Truly?
“What?” he croaked.
“You’re not going to harm my children, and I’m not going to stab you.” More earnest than she’d ever been, she told him, “All will be well. It’s settled.”
Something hot stung Micah’s chest. “You have children?” The family members she’d mentioned before? They must be young; she had yet to age past her immortality. “Who is the father? Where is he? Do you love him?” The questions spilled from his tongue. Had he stolen her from a devoted husband?
The male dies today!
Calm. What if she hadn’t birthed the children? Perhaps they were other prisoners of belua, and she’d assumed the role of mother, feeling responsible for their well-being. A supposition that made Micah admire her so much more.
He blinked as a final thought smacked him. “You considered stabbing me?”
She gave him a little shake. “Weren’t you listening to me? I don’t want to ever harm you, so I won’t be stabbing you. It’s been decided. I’m going to keep you instead. Best you get on board. As for the children, they’ve never had a father. Are you volunteering?”
No father. Ever. They must be prisoners. And keep him? He gulped. She peered up with something akin to affection, her guard obliterated.
His heartbeat sped up. “I will help you care for the children, always and forever. But just to be clear, you aren’t in love with another male?”
“I mean, I once thought I loved Laken, but he betrayed me. He died before he ever had a chance to meet any of my darlings.”
Someone had this creature and failed to see to her care? “He was a fool. I will never betray you.” Not now, not ever. If she belonged to him, he would forever cherish her. “Tell me where the children are, and I will fetch them.”
“You meant what you said? You will protect them? Always? You promise?”
“I promise.” The roughness of his voice might’ve embarrassed him in another situation. Here, shock kept him in flux, his emotions swinging from pleasure to caution, tenderness to disbelief. She might care for me.
“I’ll introduce you soon. Right now, they’re safe from everyone but Kaysar.” She rested her cheek against his chest to nuzzle him. “I’m so glad I dreamed of you while I slept.”
“No member of your family needs to fear Kaysar.” Wait. “You dreamed of me?” Reveries like the hallucinations he’d experienced? What did that mean? They were meant to be? Drawn together by Fate itself?
Made for each other.
“Mmm-hmm. I sure did. Maybe we’re fated.” She fiddled with his tunic. “And good news! I’ve changed the plan. We’re getting married. Congratulations!”
Plan? Married? She issued the world-changing statements without hesitation or teasing, and his entire body jolted once, twice, thrice.
“Married?” He gave another clipped shake of his head, hoping to empty his mind of any misunderstandings. Already, longing lurched. For once, there was no tempering it with the usual reminders: people betrayed him, women feared him and, as a chimera, he was destined to die alone. “You must be jesting.” Mustn’t she? What if the children despised him on sight?
I can win them over. I must.
Pouting a little, she met his gaze. “I can learn manners probably.”
He gaped at her. She feared the problem was her? And a lack of manners?
“Do you doubt me?” she asked, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth.
“Not at all. I...” Honestly, he had no words. Was out of his element.
“Oh, I see,” she said, losing some of her merriment. Her irises glazed with embarrassment. “You long for a queen who will read to the orphans, smile sweetly at your people no matter the situation and obey your every command. You don’t want the evil seductress. And that’s fine. Really. Because you were right. I was only jesting about marriage.” She forced a brittle laugh as she released him, drawing away. “A union is foolish.”
No, she hadn’t been jesting. He felt her hurt, and it did strange things to his insides.
“You are not an evil seductress.” Seductive, yes. But evil? No. He tightened his clasp, letting her go nowhere. “I want you, Red. My desire isn’t the question.” He yearned for this woman. Badly. He could barely think at night as he pretended to doze; again and again, she rolled closer until she ultimately draped her body over his. A dream and a nightmare. “But there are problems,” he reminded her.
“You want me?” Melting, winding her arms around him, she challenged, “Name one problem. If you can.”