Total pages in book: 220
Estimated words: 205637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1028(@200wpm)___ 823(@250wpm)___ 685(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 205637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1028(@200wpm)___ 823(@250wpm)___ 685(@300wpm)
“Have no fear. I am more than happy to take on that task,” Nyfain said in a rough tone. The demons drifted backward, except for Govam, who held his ground. He clearly knew Nyfain wouldn’t kill him just yet. Not without cause.
“Yes, sire?” Hadriel hurried toward us. “Oh, Finley, love, you’re still here. Good.” He stopped at my side. “Very naked, though, my darling. Is that going to be the new normal? Because I thought we could get away from the nakedness for a while. I am desperately tired of seeing tits and dick within the castle walls…”
“Hadriel, find our new guests lodgings,” Nyfain commanded, power twisting through his words. “We’ll need eyes on the demons at all times. Put them on the third floor so they cannot get out through a window, and make sure their rooms are watched at all times. Ask some of the dragons to do it, the members of court and the guests. And offer a rotation to the alpha wolf.”
“The…alpha wolf, sire?” Hadriel said haltingly, traces of delight coloring his words.
“Yes. Finley set the precedent by including them earlier. The alpha replied in kind. I will honor my mate’s decision. If they wish to help us, we’ll be glad for it.”
“Yes, sir— Fuck. Sire, I meant. Yes, sire.”
“And Hadriel?”
“Yes, sir? Sire?”
“Get the seamstress and seamster ready to receive work. The alphas will need to be seen and dressed, and then we will meet over dinner to discuss particulars. It will all have to be arranged.”
“Yes, sire.”
I could hear the fatigue in Hadriel’s voice. I laid my hand gently against the dip in Nyfain’s back. He turned a little and bent to me, giving me his full attention again.
“He’s tired too, baby,” I said quietly, not wanting to make a big deal of it or publicly disagree with him in any way. “Maybe let…the fully dressed housemaid, hopefully without her big purple dildo, handle some of it?”
Nyfain kissed the top of my head. “Of course. Hadriel, make sure to delegate and get some rest. I’ll need a butler who is not so mediocre before long. I am hoping you can rise to the challenge.”
“Yes, sir—sire! Yes, sire.” Hadriel winked at me before turning and muttering, “Thank the goddess and her dirty secrets, I thought I’d never get away from him.”
Nyfain pretended not to hear as a smile bloomed on the faces of a few of the faeries. The demons clearly knew better than to show any mirth at Hadriel’s craziness.
“Please, rest,” Nyfain told the faeries. “Everyone has earned it. Let us know if you need anything. We don’t have much, but we’ll try to accommodate you in any way we can. Thank you for helping take back our kingdom. I owe you a debt.”
“No.” Calia shook her head before stepping closer. “I owe Finley a debt. Two, in fact, because she also saved my sister. We have not done much to help, but we will. I will discuss that with you when we have all had a chance to refresh.” She held her hands out, close to him but not touching, then shut her eyes before slowly nodding. “Yes, there is something within you. Something lingering.” Her hands drifted closer. “It feels like the suppression magic, but it is…festering, almost. Like…there is a fissure within you where the demon magic has taken root. It is entwined in there. It grips tightly.”
Nyfain’s fingers dug into my skin, but he didn’t comment.
Calia opened her eyes and took a step back, shaking her head. “It isn’t something I can help you with, although maybe the healers of my people can.”
“Can Dolion fix it?” I asked Govam.
His eyes narrowed a little. “His people surely could. Similar to the way they tried to find your bond and sever—”
He abruptly stopped talking and took a large step back, jostling his people out of the way. His gray eyes were focused on Nyfain, who hadn’t so much as twitched.
“You’re right, sweetheart,” Nyfain growled to me, his fury burning within the bond. “He is very good at reading the room. I wouldn’t mention that again, demon.”
“Didn’t need to be said, sire,” Govam responded easily. “His people likely could, but they could also do more damage while they were at it. Even if it would mean their death, I doubt they would miss the opportunity to cripple a dragon.”
“I wouldn’t let them try,” Nyfain replied.
He had a point. I’d just been grasping at straws. Trying to find an easy way. But when in my experience had anything concerning healing ever been easy?
Nyfain slid his hand up the back of my neck possessively, and I could feel his desire swell through the bond. I swayed toward him, my knees going weak. He hoisted me up into his arms and started walking, backtracking to call one of his dragons to him. I couldn’t focus on what he was saying, though, lost as I was in his heat. His balmy smell cocooned me, pine and lilac with a hint of honeysuckle, like a warm summer evening in a high mountain meadow. Like coming home.