Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 32307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
He gripped her shoulders, his hands strong and warm. “I want you with everything I am, kjære, but I need you to be sure. What about all you will sacrifice?”
She shook her head. “I have no family, no real career. You live in the best possible place in the world for me to do my photography. And, if your blood can’t cure me, I can find a doctor here.” Kaira stepped tight against his newly big body. “I’m sure. This feels like what I’m supposed to do.”
His eyes flashed. “I am strong now, because of you. My blood will work. I feel it.”
The thought of being healthy again sent a shiver of amazement over her skin, but that wasn’t why she was choosing him. “Either way, I love you, Henrik.” The words were out of her mouth before she’d thought them through, but she immediately knew their rightness.
He groaned and held her tight. “You are my heart and my light, Kaira. I love you, too.”
“Oh, Henrik. I want to do this now. The mating.”
“So do I. But your ceremony starts in—” he looked at a big military-style watch on his wrist, which was so much thicker than it had been before “—eight minutes. You’re not missing it.”
“But—”
“No buts. I’ll not have it any other way.”
She bit back a smile. “You know, that’s not always going to work with me.”
“What?”
“That line. I don’t know if that works with your guys, but you need to know that sometimes I’m gonna say ‘too damn bad.’”
His eyebrows raised to his hairline. “Will you, now?”
She lost the battle against the grin and finally just gave in. “I will.”
“And, is this one of those times?”
Kaira was nearly mad with her need for him. Her hand tingled. Her core ached. Her throat was oddly dry and scratchy.
She was hungry for him.
But the show was its own once-in-a-lifetime, wasn’t it? And it was only an hour. Surely, she could wait an hour. Right?
He licked his lips and flashed the promising tips of his fangs. Oh, he didn’t play fair. No, she could do it. Besides, where else was she going to wear a gown this gorgeous?
She heaved a breath. “No, this isn’t one of those times.”
“Very well.” He turned and offered her his arm. “May I escort you, then?”
A thrill shot through her. “I would love for you to escort me tonight.” She snuggled into his side and reveled in the feeling of companionship that surrounded her.
His eyes smoldered and flared with blue light. “And tomorrow?”
“And all the tomorrows.” Heat bloomed on her cheek as she peered up at him.
A low growl rumbled in his throat. “Let’s go collect your prizes and get out of here.”
Kaira laughed. But she loved his faith in her. And she loved his plan.
Because she was completely taken by her vampire king. Now and forever.
Chapter 12
Standing at the closed doors of the Hall of the Chieftains, a ceremonial room located in the heart of Henrik’s mountain citadel, Kaira heaved a deep breath and peered up at her escort, Jakob.
“I will never be able to express the depth of my gratitude, Kaira,” he said, his expression filled with earnestness. “You aren’t just saving him. You’re saving all of us.”
“I love him,” she said. Simply. Honestly. “And I care about you, Jakob. I see how much you love him, too.”
A single, solemn nod. “Are you ready?”
Kaira swallowed hard. She felt the weight of the delicate silver crown Jakob had given her to wear upon her head and the delicious softness of the velvet robe upon her skin. The concept of queen still felt completely foreign. But even though butterflies whipped through her belly, Henrik felt entirely right. She truly was ready for him. “Yes.”
Jakob opened the door and escorted her inside.
Kaira’s gaze collided with Henrik’s where he knelt in the center of the room, surrounded by candles and a lush carpet of dark furs. It was all she could do not to run to him, to take off the hood of his robe, look him in the eyes, and kiss him until neither of them could breathe. Her left hand tingled, and it was a sensation she cherished because she knew what it meant—they belonged together.
The firelight of the many torches on the walls allowed her to admire her king—his fierce masculinity, his newfound vitality, the intensity of his attraction to her, which flared in his glowing eyes. The closer she got to him, the more she swore she could smell him, and the more she wanted to taste him.
God, she’d been drinking water all day and she couldn’t quench her thirst.
Jakob guided her through the inner circle of Henrik’s warriors who all stood with their heads bowed. He helped her step onto the low dais and released her, giving her a warm smile and a look of such abject approval. She cherished both.