Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 231436 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1157(@200wpm)___ 926(@250wpm)___ 771(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 231436 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1157(@200wpm)___ 926(@250wpm)___ 771(@300wpm)
Casteel’s gaze found mine in the dim light. “The heart doesn’t care, Poppy.”
My breath caught. “That’s basically what Kieran said. That the heart doesn’t care how much time you have with someone.” Emotion clogged my throat. “That it only cares that you have that person for as long as you can.”
“I didn’t always think that.” The hand on my back made another sweep. “When everything happened between him and Elashya, I couldn’t understand how he’d let himself fall in love. Couldn’t wrap my head around it. But then along came you.” His fingers tangled in my hair. “Now, I fully understand that the heart doesn’t care about plans, duty, or vengeance. It doesn’t care about time.”
My heart swelled. Kieran had been right. Casteel was right. I knew that, too. I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with Casteel, but I did when he was simply Hawke to me, regardless of my duty. And I continued to fall even deeper in love with him, despite the lies and betrayal.
His hand fisted in my hair. “I think I know what you dreamt.”
I exhaled a shaky breath. “I dreamt that…that something happened to you. That l lost you.”
“Poppy,” he rasped.
“It was so real.” I squeezed my eyes shut. “I can still feel the hopelessness and desperation.”
“It was a bad dream,” he said. “You’re never going to lose me.”
“Promise?” I whispered.
“Promise.” He cupped my cheek. “You never need to fear it or even think about it.”
I nodded, pulling my lower lip between my teeth.
“Forget the nightmare.”
“I will.”
“I want you to forget it now.”
My lips quirked. “You’re being bossy again.”
“Only because I don’t want you wasting even a second of worry on something that will never happen.”
I splayed my fingers on his chest. “It’s kind of hard not to think about it, you know? Anything can happen to any of us—”
“That won’t happen,” he cut in. “But you know what will?”
I tipped my head back. “What?”
“You won’t be thinking of anything much longer,” he said, shifting and rolling me onto my back.
Casteel’s mouth came down on mine, and his weight settled over me. He kissed me until I was breathless, then explored my body first with his hand, then with his mouth. Finally, he delved with his tongue, stealing my ability to think of anything but how he tossed one of my legs over his shoulder, spreading me wide as he laved and licked until I came apart again. Then he started all over again, dipping his tongue, then his fingers in and out of me, slowly and methodically until I squirmed helplessly, pleading for him to stop, begging that he continue. It was only when I thought I may lose all control of my senses that he thrust into me.
Casteel took me hard, first on my back and then on my knees with his skillful fingers playing at the junction of my thighs. Then he guided us onto our sides, face-to-face as he made love to me. He thoroughly exhausted me until I was limp and sated. The nightmare and the fear were nothing but faint memories as I fell back to sleep in his arms, our bodies still joined, knowing the only thing I’d remember about tonight was this.
Us.
Our love.
Our hearts.
PRINCE CASTEEL “CAS” HAWKETHRONE DA’NEER (A.K.A HAWKE FLYNN)
Becomes King Casteel Hawkethrone Da’Neer
Click here to see a full-size image of Cas by art.bymikki.
To be honest, Casteel didn’t feature prominently in my visions until his fate began to align with Poppy’s. Once that happened, all sorts of cords started weaving themselves into a gorgeous tapestry of strength and sensitivity.
Hair: Black with a blue hue, brushing the neck and curling over the forehead.
Eyes: The color of cool amber honey.
Body type: Broad shoulders and chest. Long, lean, muscular body. Tall—around six feet, five inches—but not as tall as his brother Malik.
Facial features: High, angular cheekbones. Straight nose. Proud, carved jaw. Fangs.
Distinguishing features: Dimples—right side common, left only shows with genuine and full smiles. Brand of the Solis Royal Crest on his right thigh, just below the hip. Miscellaneous cuts and scars on his body. Deep voice with a slight accent.
Other: His heartmate thinks he smells like pine and dark spice, but his blood smells like citrus in the snow. He’s over two centuries old but looks like a mortal of twenty-two. After being stabbed with a dagger made from the bones of the Ancients, he can shift into a silver-eyed, black-and-gold-spotted cave cat, standing five feet at shoulder height.
Personality: Doesn’t laugh much. Assertive. No tolerance for threats. A betting man. Takes pleasure in revenge. Persistent when it comes to what he wants. Confident. Progressive.
Habits/Mannerisms/Strengths/Weaknesses: Able to use compulsion. Abhors violence against women. Good judge of character. Knows when someone is lying. Loves to hear himself talk. Driven. Takes pleasure in killing when it’s warranted. Loves to read. Feels spousal needs should come before those of the kingdom. Knows how to braid hair. Expert with many weapons. Great tracker. Secretly fascinated with agriculture. Blood has healing properties.