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)
I know that to him my worth lies in my human shadow, with the novelty of sex adding a bit of spice to our relationship, but a toxic part of me doesn’t care that everything we share is only surface-level. I just want to be adored. This once. Even if it’s not meant to last.
“Are you certain? You said it’s important to you.”
I hesitate, unsure if I’m ready to open up this much, but I’m already so deep into my… entanglement with him. “When I got to leave school, my mother didn’t come to pick me up, so I hitchhiked with this trucker. I mean that he gave me a ride. On the way, we stopped at this local diner famous for its lobster rolls. He bought me lunch, and got me this pin with the name of the place. I… really needed kindness at that point, and he wanted nothing in return. I kept it to remind myself that the world isn’t always out to get me. Maybe you need that too,” I finish in a whisper, feeling sillier than ever.
My chest feels heavy with emotion when Kyranis meets my gaze. “I will forever cherish this gift. Thank you for your help,” he whispers, seemingly unaware of all the attention we’re getting from our audience.
“All I did was stand up.” I shrug, not used to praise. I can’t even hold his gaze. What I’m used to is ‘do better, Luke’, and ‘you ruined my life, Luke’, and ‘I spent all that money, and you didn’t even finish school’.
But Kyran only has smiles for me. “I already think of you as my Dark Companion, Luke,” he says and sits me on the throne.
The sight of Vinia sprawled on the bloodstained floor makes me stiffen. Sylvan approaches her, pale as a ghost, but his own brother, the one with lush long hair, stands in the way. While their standoff is silent, I can almost see the sparks flying off their bodies.
That’s what this court is. Death is an integral part of the Nightmare Realm, and the courtiers all embrace the dark and morbid.
Kyran spreads his arms and raises his hands as if he’s a preacher. “I am officially announcing the beginning of my courtship with Luke Moor, a human from Blackwood in the state of Maine. We will marry on the day of the Blood Moon. I invite all of you to hunt the Stag of Sunrise alongside us in two weeks’ time. May the moonlight shine brightly upon this court for a thousand more years!”
Chapter 22
Kyran
Sunlight is a challenge for even the most experienced shadow-wielders. I’ve never encountered it, and its glow was as shocking as it was painful. It made my eyes ache, my ears buzz, and by the time nausea took over, I could barely keep track of Vinia’s movements.
The Goldweed sharks have been preparing for this since the day her powers first appeared and, in my pride, I walked right into their trap. My head is still throbbing, and my vision hasn’t yet returned to normal, so how was I to defend myself against a foe so treacherous?
An icy eel coils in my guts when I think about what could have happened if my promised, my Luke, didn’t have the clarity of mind to step in and aid me.
I could have died today.
It could have been my blood staining the floor.
Luke abandoned to the harpies greedy for his shadow.
Just the thought of it makes my blood boil all over again. Whoever poached Luke after my death might have treated him with unjust cruelty just because of the connection to me.
The last face I want to see right now slinks toward me with fake worry in his eyes. Anatole Goldweed. His handsome features are filled with so much concern I almost believe that his intentions are sincere.
Tristan stands close but I gesture with my fingers, allowing Anatole to approach. I resent that instead of spending my time with Luke, I’m stuck fulfilling my princely duties, and those involve mingling with the courtiers after the execution. Even courtiers who’ve kept Vinia’s skills a secret and may or may not have set me up for this duel.
“Anatole,” I say coolly, entwining my hands at the back to keep them farther from the bastard’s pale neck. The treacherous swine has no business being this handsome.
“My Prince. I thought it especially important to approach after what happened. I need you to know I didn’t realize she was cursed with the Sunlight power, and neither did anyone else in our family. I don’t know how she hid that from us, but I will make all the necessary inquiries and punish anyone who kept that secret.”
When he bows, my instinct tells me to punch him down and then place my foot on his cheek, but I am the future Lord of the Nocturne Court, and a degree of decorum cannot be avoided. So instead of lashing out, I punish him with silence until he understands what I require and bows deeper. I only speak once his locks touch the floor.