Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 116396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
I didn’t feel doubt either. I just thought I should feel it…because everything was happening so fast. Once we did this, there was no going back. It was just the two of us forever. I gave a nod. “I love you.”
“Then marry me.”
With our hands joined together and the blessing of Adeodatus, the priest made us husband and wife, binding our souls together for all eternity. The sacred blade slit our palms so our blood would mix together. His was mine. Mine was his.
Bastian wore the same look of intensity as the day we’d met. It was piercing, deep, with the power to move all the mountains and the sea. He’d claimed me without the blessing of the gods, took my soul without the need of the priest.
Once it was done, I felt it right away.
Felt the invisible string that tied us together.
I didn’t wear a wedding dress, but I’d never felt more beautiful. He made me feel beautiful every time he looked at me.
We said goodbye to my family and his and entered the humble home that I’d made for myself. Words weren’t spoken. Clothes dropped like breadcrumbs through the house. We stopped to share heated kisses against the different pieces of furniture, from the dining table to the counter, and even the stairs. The journey to the bed took ten minutes because it was impossible to keep our hands off each other.
We finally made it to the bed, and his naked body sank into mine.
The instant we were connected, I felt the strangest sensation inside my chest. Peace. Harmony. Pleasure that was beyond the flesh. My body was satisfied, but so was my soul. It was now wrapped in his like a warm blanket on a winter night, sheathed from the dark and cold outside the front door.
I’d never felt so happy in all my life.
It wasn’t the sex. It wasn’t the hormones. It was so much deeper than that.
I knew he could feel it too—just by the way he looked at me.
THIRTY-SEVEN
Huntley
We agreed to rest for a few days.
Ivory and I remained in bed most of the time, making love between our naps, eating the food I grabbed from the tavern every night. She wasn’t a picky eater, so roast beef sandwiches saturated in gravy were perfectly agreeable to her.
I skipped my herbs, so I knew I was fertile once again.
I knew it would happen quickly for us. We had sex so often, several times a day, that it was bound to happen overnight. I’d always wanted a family, but I’d never wanted one more than I did now. I’d watched so many people die, almost lost my own mother, and mortality was staring me right in the face.
My own mortality.
I wanted to leave something behind if I didn’t return.
The morning of our departure, we packed our things and prepared to leave. We didn’t need much since we’d be returning by dragon rather than steed. The journey would take less than a day. We’d be there hours before the sun set. Therefore, we didn’t need to pack unnecessary items.
I took more time to rest than necessary, and that was because I dreaded the moment of my departure. Even if I defeated King Dunbar and fulfilled my promise to the dragons, Delacroix would be my home. I’d see my family sparingly, if I ever saw them at all. Our only connection would be the letters we sent back and forth.
We met outside the gate and on the field where the dragons waited for us. They’d both been properly fed with as many cows and sheep as they could eat. Whenever they needed water, they flew to a nearby stream.
My mother was as stone-faced as ever, but her eyes gave away her sorrow. “You’re our king. We will serve you in all your wars if you call for us. I can lead the Runes as you claim Dunbar’s life. Let me help you.”
She addressed me as her king, but I only wanted to address her as my family. “I’ll be alright, Mother. Please don’t worry.”
She took a sharp intake of breath, her hard features giving away.
“Continue to heal.”
“I’m well enough to fight, son.”
“I’ll be alright,” I repeated.
She released another heavy breath, powerless. “Is this really essential? You have no idea what you’re up against.”
I dreaded this war even more than she did. “A king always keeps his promise. The dragons have secured peace for HeartHolme and the Kingdoms. I owe them everything.”
She still looked upset, like that wasn’t a good enough reason. “Please write as soon as you can. I will worry nonstop until I hear news.”
“Father taught me how to be king. You’ve taught me to master the sword. Don’t lose your faith in me.”
Now tears welled in her eyes as she embraced me. “Never, son.” She squeezed me tightly, her face to my chest, her body shaking with her quiet tears. She held on to me for minutes, afraid to let me go and walk away, but she finally did. “I love you.”