Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
The pressure around my throat eases as Kyranis removes the last vine holding me captive, but then our eyes meet, and he knows what I saw, because now we’re both looking down at his blood-stained abs.
For the first time since we met, his moon-white cheeks gain a splash of color.
Chapter 5
Kyran
My secret is out, and while Luke can’t know what the symbol on my chest means, if he mentions it to anyone, it will be my end. I should have been more careful, but when he called for me, even if not by my real name, I dashed into the shadowed woodland like a stag ready to chase off a hunter chasing its partner. I should be angry at him for trying to once again break the terms of our agreement and run from me, but when I saw the distressed glint in his eyes and smelled fresh wounds, I lost all reason.
I don’t need his face to stay pretty to use him as my Dark Companion, yet I ended up cutting myself just to get the bloodthirsty moths off him.
My thoughtlessness might jeopardize the plan I already sacrificed so much for, knowing that he saw the real me is a thrill. He doesn’t need to know that. In fact, the less he understands, the more cards remain up my sleeve.
So I do what I know best. I resort to violence.
When his mouth opens to speak, I grab his throat. I would have put my blade to his neck if he didn’t seem reckless enough to move against it.
"If you tell anyone about this golden tattoo, and I mean anyone, be it a cat or a sentient fucking tree, I will kill you. I will cut your tongue out, then drown you in the same river where I first found you. Do you understand, Luke? Nod if you do.”
His pulse quickens against my palm, giving me a delicious surge of power. I know I’m being harsh, but my future is on the line, and I won’t let this boy ruin it.
I’ve only been out of my prison for a few days, but I’m loving every second of this new life. No longer some feral secret locked in someone else’s shadow, I am royalty.
When Luke nods, I let go and watch him, wondering if he will start screaming. Only my coachman and the toll mistress could possibly hear him, and they wouldn’t care.
“Wh-what is that?” He points in the vague direction of my chest.
“All you need to know is that I am prince Kyranis—”
“Yeah, yeah, Lord of Darkness, Best Pirate of the Nocturne Sea, I get it.” He rolls his eyes. He actually dares roll his eyes at me. Granted, they are big, green as the sea in the spring, and embedded in a pretty face with sharp, vulpine features, but that does not mean all will be forgiven.
“I just saved your life, you ungrateful boy!”
I’d have smacked him for insolence if he wasn’t to be my future Dark Companion.
Luke grabs my arm, and I flinch, ready to fight off his attack, but he hangs his head in submission as tears gather in his eyes, reflecting the moonlight. “I’m just trying to understand what’s happening! Where am I?”
I take a deep breath, reminding myself that humans are fragile creatures requiring lots of patience. Our interaction seven years ago had been brief and rather unpleasant, and were it not for the nearly full face of the moon above, I would have gladly given him more time to adjust. But there is no time, so I assess his ripped clothes and help him up.
“You’re in the Nightmare Realm, or as we call it, the Realm. Stay by my side and do not attempt to run again. You will not succeed. Do you want to be ripped apart by wolves, Luke? Do you want tooth moths feasting on you until you’re nothing but a dried husk? The wilderness hides a whole myriad of dangers. Remember that. If you venture out on your own, something will either try to eat you or trick you. Either way, you are safest under my protection.” A slight exaggeration, but I don’t want him out of my sight until our bond is made.
Luke holds on to my arm as I lead him back, cutting down thorny vines set on regrowing. To soften the blow, I pick up my cloak from the bushes and drape it over his shoulders. It can’t heal him, but it will keep him warm until we reach the castle.
He stills with the furry hood drooping over his forehead, but when he looks up at me, his gaze is sharp like a precious gemstone cut to perfection.
“This is real, isn’t it?” Luke asks, pulling the cloak around him more tightly.
“Very.”
I rub some blood from his cheek, finding it hard to be mad now that he’s back at my side and hurting. It would feel like yelling at a rose. It cannot be expected to understand its wrongdoing, nor is it responsible for being born with thorns. He’s helpless without me, and that makes me want to keep him safe the same way my soft fur cloak is keeping him warm.