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 stretch, resting in the afterglow of pleasure. “This? This is the skin of a killer, Luke” I boast, proud of every single duel I’ve won.
I expect him to gasp or become thoughtful, but instead, he laughs so loudly, the sound must be heard even outside. He turns to his back and won’t stop giggling. He’s laughed with me before but this time he has tears in his eyes, and appears so at ease all I want to do is snuggle him and pinch his cheek. I don’t know why he’s this amused, but it’s so adorable I can’t take my eyes off him.
Pure, unadulterated joy beams from him, brighter than the moon above us, and I realize I’m going to do anything to make him laugh like this more often.
“What’s so funny?” I ask and swirl my fingertip through the cum drying on his chest.
He tries to speak, but half of what he’s saying is gibberish because he keeps laughing. “It’s just—from a movie—I don’t know how—” He takes a few deep breaths to calm down and looks into my eyes, happy like a frog in a bog. “What you said… it features in a story in my world. It’s hard to explain. I’m sorry. I’ll show you one day.” He leans in to kiss me, stroking my chin, but he doesn’t need to apologize. I’m not offended.
“I’ll make you laugh like this every day. That’s a promise,” I say, stroking the rose as the swing slows its rocking. “You know, during the wedding we will hold a rose like this together. And I want that to happen, but I’d rather the full moon was far, far away.”
“Why? Don’t you want to finally possess my shadow?” Luke asks, piercing me with his eyes as if he wants to unearth all my thoughts.
My heart speeds up, and for a moment I consider coming up with a dismissive answer, but I want him to know the truth of my thoughts, so I kiss his shoulder and place my arm across his body. “Yes. But I want you more, and after the wedding, you might leave.”
Luke cuddles up to me, unafraid of the fact that I could overpower him with ease. Maybe deep down he knows he’s the one who pulls the strings. “Maybe… you could visit me? You know, after.” He yawns and closes his eyes, resting his cheek against my arm.
Joy pulls at my heart, and I rub my nose through his fragrant hair. “No distance will be too far, my darling,” I whisper, and as he presses closer, I promise myself that I will always make sure he feels important.
I will anticipate his needs and let him come to me slowly, if that’s what he needs.
If he believes people are untrustworthy and cruel, I will prove him wrong.
He will be my Dark Companion.
I will be the lord of his heart.
Chapter 24
Luke
It’s been over a week since Kyran plucked me out of my life and brought me to the Nightmare Realm, but it feels like at least a month.
He gifts me so many bouquets of midnight blue roses my room overflows with them, and while it felt weird at first to get flowers, I have to admit it’s a lovely gesture. I like flowers, and the roses are exceptionally beautiful, so why would I deny myself the pleasure because of human gender roles?
Every day Kyran treats me to foods I’ve never tasted before, and servants cater to my every whim, as if I’m already a member of the royal family. A painter from another elven realm has been called upon, and we pose for our portrait every morning, so that it’s finished by our wedding day. Kyran decided he wanted our likenesses to be captured in the orangery, with me sitting in the swing where he fucked me silly. It’s a nice little inside joke, but I like that our portrait will feature roses.
But most of the time, I get to do whatever the fuck I want in my opulent room, like reading in an armchair soft as clouds, taking two-hour baths while staring at the moon, or creating art with the new set of paints Kyran provided me with. It features colors in shades that differ from the ones in my world, and I already visited the library to find out more about how they’re made.
Downsides of no internet. I can’t just google this stuff, but it’s not like I’d find information on pigments in the Nightmare Realm online anyway.
At first, when I approached Kyran about leaving my room without him, I worried he’d not allow it, but he’s more than obliging and happy that I want to acquaint myself with the palace. As long as Tristan is with me, I can spend as much time as I want in the library.