Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 90639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“Avianna,” Samuel continued, laying his hand flat over a tablet with what looked like our legal documents on the screen. The prenuptial negotiations contract, no doubt. “I want to apologize to you again,” he said. “I never meant for any of this to happen—”
Hawke grunted, drawing Samuel’s attention. Samuel’s brow furrowed, something flashing in his dark eyes that I couldn’t quite place. But, Hawke was unnerving on the best of days and lately he’d had more bad days than good.
“You don’t have to apologize to me again,” I said, and Samuel returned focus to me.
The look he wore before vanished, melting into something much more charming. And I couldn’t deny how attractive he was—tall, the body of a hunter rippling beneath the sleek silver suit he wore, black hair combed just so—he was exactly the vampire Alek would’ve loved for me to choose out of love.
Samuel had a level-headedness about him that would make him a true strategic ally in the courts, not to mention he’d been nothing but gentle with me during those weeks in elected captivity. He’d never once laid a finger on me and kept Saint so far away from me I’d only ever heard him through locked doorways, me safely nestled inside.
“I will never stop apologizing to you,” Samuel said, and I sighed softly. I was rather over his apologies, though I supposed it could’ve all turned out far worse. There could be no diplomatic solution to this war, and there would be too many lives lost. “I’ve had my lawyers draft up everything you requested here for the agreement to sign a betrothal contract in three weeks time.” He tapped the tablet before moving it over to me. “This is your assurance that I won’t put anything else in the betrothal contract not to your liking. A pre-contract for our true contract, if you will.”
“Everything?” I asked, speed reading the documents on the screen.
“I conceded to all of your requests, save for one.”
“That’s one too many,” Hawke growled, and I flashed him a chiding look. He shrugged, those daggers strapped to his abdomen and massive thighs winking underneath the lights. He had them on full display, as if Samuel needed another reminder of how badly Hawke wanted him dead.
“You must understand,” Samuel said to me, ignoring Hawke completely. “When you take the Deveraux name, you must be protected by a Deveraux guard. You’re more than welcome to bring a guard of your choosing when you come to live with me on the estate before we’re betrothed, but after the official ceremony, you’ll be watched over by someone from my house. We take pride in protecting our own.”
I swallowed hard, using every ounce of strength in my body to not look up at Hawke. Samuel was likely referring more to Olivia than Hawke, but I couldn’t help it, I mourned the loss before it’d even happened. But what had I expected? To take Hawke, my begrudged mate to my new husband’s estate? For what? To torture us both until we went mad?
“That’s understandable,” I admitted, and Hawke again grunted his disagreement.
I finished reading the rest of the terms, noting that Samuel even agreed to the wedding date I suggested six months from now. The betrothal would take place in three weeks. I would have to move into his estate long before then, but at least I wouldn’t officially be bound to him for some time.
“Where is the exact location of your estate?” Hawke asked as I continued to read.
Samuel furrowed his brow as he looked up at Hawke. “I’ve told you it’s two hours north of here–”
“But you haven’t given me a solid address,” Hawke said. “It’s vital information. Especially if it's to be the princess’s future home. It needs to be thoroughly searched and vetted to ensure it is worthy of her.”
I focused much harder on the documents than necessary. I’d already finished reading, but the last thing I needed to do was get in the middle of Hawke’s demands. And, to be honest, I was quite curious where I’d be staying as well.
Samuel sighed, pulling his cell phone out of his pocket and typing away at the screen. Hawke’s phone chimed a second later. “I sent you the address,” he said, raising his hands in defense. “Nothing to hide from me. But if you could tell me when the assassins will be traipsing all over my property that would be great, I can at least warn the staff so they don’t get spooked.”
Hawke grunted in answer, and Samuel turned his attention back to me.
“If it’s all to your liking…” Samuel slid a digital pen across the table.
I scooped it up, my fingers trembling slightly as I stared down at the spot requiring my signature. One swoop of the pen and I could save my family, but also damn my own heart. The moment in time seemed to stretch on forever as I hovered the tip of the pen over that blank line, but finally, I realized with painful clarity that my family’s lives were worth more than my own selfish desires. So, I scrawled my signature over the line, then pushed the tablet back to Samuel.