Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49027 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49027 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
His bare feet on the marble floors would be annoying to most people, but to Boraleashe, it felt as though he were walking on clouds. He remembered when the sun was bright enough to reflect off the daily fresh-fallen snow, making the chrome and marble fixtures shimmer like glass.
His tub was more like a lake. He descended the steps, wading into the deeper end until the water rose above his sensitive nipples. The bath had been cooled to the perfect temperature and scented with the fragrances from the Glaciers Forest. Pine, amber, and notes of oud. Boraleashe found the cushioned bench in the deepest area and reclined against the edge, finally closing his eyes.
It took everything in his Imagination not to think of Theodor, to not think of what his titan pride made him leave behind. That sweet fragrance of apples and spices and a touch that was able to reach clear through to his core. Boraleashe sank deeper, his moan echoing in the vast space. It was the soothing water that was making him feel, but it was his insistent thoughts of the man who’d embraced him in strong arms and caressing winds that made tortured groans escape his throat.
No matter how hard he fought to think of nothing or how fast he shoved the memories of their time together to the back of his mind, Theodor had a commanding presence whether he was near or far. Boraleashe could do nothing but shake his head and let loose a slow, sinister laugh at his misfortune. He was plagued with the most spiteful, agonizing curse known to a titan. He was prohibited from projecting his true heart, but he was more than capable of feeling all the pain and loss times ten. And now that the ending was near, Boraleashe would feel the worst of it. He’d relive all the love he could’ve had right before he took his last breath.
“I wonder if he misses me,” Boraleashe whispered, even though there was no one there to hear him. “When I’m gone, I hope you will heal quickly, my beautiful treasure, that one day, you’ll be free to give your heart to another. To someone who will nurture it and return the love you give.”
Boraleashe grunted at the crippling pain increasing with each thought. He clutched at his chest, helpless against the disease growing inside him. His life was in its final stages; he could feel it as surely as the cool water against his skin. While he drifted in and out of consciousness and pain, Boraleashe prayed to the gods that his daughters would mourn him, then one day forgive him. He prayed they’d sing his praises of the ultimate sacrifice he made for his kingdom and that his name would live on gloriously when Amárach was prosperous once again.
It was all a true titan could wish for.
Boraleashe stayed in his bath until the same servant he’d dismissed earlier announced outside his chamber doors that dinner would be served soon. Boraleashe wasn’t relaxed enough, but he got out of the soothing water anyway, not wanting to keep his daughters waiting.
Boraleashe
Time to Face the Truth
Boraleashe groomed his own hair and dressed himself in a casual tunic, linen pants, and a floor-length cover. He walked through his home, gazing out of the tall windows at the mountainous snow drifts across his lands. He didn’t look into the ash-gray sky or at the dark moon that would soon shift to something evil, that would dim the sky and take him from his world.
The doors to the family dining room opened on his arrival. This room was far less stuffy than the formal dining hall, and the limited chairs allowed them to sit close and discuss intimate issues—such as him dying in the next two days and the two of them becoming the rulers of Amárach.
“Father.” Kallos stood from where she’d been sitting nibbling on a piece of priddeofruit bread. She clutched one of his hands and placed it on her cheek. “My apologies for my words and behavior earlier. I was insensitive and rude.”
Boraleashe shook his head, but she halted what he’d been about to say. Which was she didn’t owe him anything, especially an apology for expressing her feelings and love for him.
“It’s not okay for me to speak to you that way or to turn my back to you.” Kallos squeezed her eyes closed and whispered, “You never did that to us. I’m ashamed, Father.”
Boraleashe gave her a fake smile and urged her back into her seat. He kissed his oldest daughter on the cheek, then took his position at the head of the table with his girls on either side of him.
“Thank you, Kallos. But truly, I understand your frustrations, and I know you’re both disappointed that things didn’t turn out the way we’d hoped.”