Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 119158 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119158 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
He loved me.
Nylian actually loved me.
Was he serious?
My brain was still trying to turn on when Nylian kneeled in front of me, his warm hand cupping my cheek. “Let’s get you inside. We’ll summon the healers to get you fixed up, and then we’re leaving.”
I didn’t have time to reply. The chipmunk hiding in Jasper’s hair jumped down and scampered over to stand between us and the duke, who was still standing several feet away, not saying a word. A litany of angry chirps and squeaks erupted from the chipmunk in what I could only guess was a diatribe in my defense. At least, I hoped it was. His tiny body trembled in his rage, and it was amusing until tiny sparks appeared in the air around the chipmunk.
Holy shit, the wizard trapped in a chipmunk’s body could still use magic! This was bad.
“Master Binx, it’s okay! Let’s go back to the castle,” I called out. My head whipped toward Jasper, who was staring openmouthed at his would-be mentor, and I whispered, “Go pick him up. This world can’t handle a spell-casting chipmunk.”
Jasper hurried over and scooped up the chipmunk, murmuring reassurances to him the entire time, while Adeline and Nylian helped me to my feet. I slung an arm across Nylian’s shoulders and leaned on him while we made the long trek to the room.
“Are you sure I can’t kick his ass?” Adeline asked.
“No, let it go. I appreciate you coming to my defense, but I think it’s best if we forget about this and move on,” I said.
“Fine, but you’re not off the hook with me, buster,” she threatened, sticking one finger in my face. “You’ve still got to answer for this stupidity.” She dropped her hand and sniffed. “But I don’t pick on the wounded.”
“Thanks for the warning,” I muttered.
We were silent the rest of the way to the room. By the time Nylian had me stretched out on our bed, there were three healers anxiously hovering nearby, ready to descend on me. With minimal fuss, they closed up wounds—of which only two needed stitches—applied that magical goo that was good for more than just lube, and applied bandages. The entire time, Nylian stood next to the bed, his arms folded over his chest, glaring at the healers as if daring them to cause me a single moment of pain as they worked.
When the door closed and we were alone at last, I held out my hand to him. “Stop scowling. Your face is going to get stuck like that.”
He took my hand in both of his and pressed his lips to my knuckles as he sat on the edge of the bed. For a long time, he simply held my hand with his eyes closed. My heart broke for him. I’d never wanted to scare him like that or have him suffer such pain at the hands of his own family. Coming to Blackscar had dealt him too much pain for a tiny glimmer of hope.
But I didn’t want him dwelling on what could have happened or the betrayal he was likely feeling thanks to Thallan. I was alive, and that was all that mattered.
“Were you able to avoid the glass when you got dressed?” I inquired.
Nylian’s eyes flicked open, and I thought he was going to strangle me. “That’s all you have to say to me? You’re worried about the glass on the floor?”
I licked my lips and swallowed against the growing tightness in my throat. “Did you mean what you said to your uncle?”
Nylian’s fingers tightened around mine, and his voice dropped to a harsh whisper. “I meant every word.”
“Do you really love me?” I choked out, blinking away stupid tears that were blurring my view of his perfect face.
Finally, he smiled. “I love you with everything that I am.”
“I love you too. So much,” I sobbed. With the smallest pull, Nylian crashed into me, the all-consuming kiss wiping all the pains in my body so that there was only this man who’d claimed my heart. He lifted his lips from mine to kiss away the tears that escaped and along my jaw.
“Don’t worry, precious one. No one is going to steal me away from you.”
And I believed him.
Chapter 26
We’re All Gonna Die
After that fiasco, we got the fuck out of Dodge.
Nylian didn’t speak to his uncle before our departure, and the duke didn’t attempt to approach any of us. I didn’t know whether he was still pissed or if he was giving his nephew some space. Even as we rode out of Blackscar, Nylian was still a simmering cauldron of rage that wouldn’t cool for a long, long time.
Thankfully, Captain Elion stepped up to make sure we had all the supplies we needed for our journey to Ashbourne. Or rather, a small, secluded manor that sat on Lake Mallomar. Apparently, I was hungry that day when I was naming things. Gods, I was such an asshole.