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)
Now, I got the chance to wrap him up tightly in a comforting cocoon, pressing my face into the crook of his neck that was covered in an icy cold sweat.
“Why?” Nylian’s voice trembled as he choked out that single word. “Why…why didn’t he tell me? Couldn’t he have pulled me aside for five seconds to let me know Orian was still alive? That he didn’t believe that I’d betrayed him and my brother? He-he played me for a fool,” he snarled at the end.
I brushed light kisses across his jaw and up to his temple. “I don’t think this was about you being played for a fool. This was about protecting you as best he could. Someone inside the castle had mortally wounded one beloved son and framed another. If you stayed, they could have gotten to you. The king probably sent you away to get you out of the reach of the assassin.”
“How can you be so sure of him? You don’t know my father,” Nylian countered in a stubborn voice.
He was right. I’d yet to meet the king of Wolfrest, but I’d already had an idea of him when I was crafting the book. I didn’t want all the royals to be complete douche tools. In my mind, King Dorwynn had always been more compassionate and more thoughtful. He cared more about his people and his children than the power he wielded.
But I couldn’t tell Nylian that I knew his father wasn’t an asshole because I hadn’t created him to be an asshole. On the other hand, I simply didn’t know. There were a lot of things that had turned out differently than I’d originally planned. *cough* Nylian’s sexuality *cough* We wouldn’t know the king’s true motives until we saw him. The best I could do right now was try to comfort his son.
“True, but I struggle to believe that a cold, calculating, ruthless man could have raised such a warm and tender son.”
Nylian made a derisive noise. “My father didn’t raise me. Teachers, mentors, and a series of nannies brought me up.”
“Stubborn,” I groaned before nipping the spot just under his ear. “You’re right. I don’t know your father, but I choose to believe that he didn’t intentionally hurt you. Besides, who else is he going to trust to help him get to the truth of what happened to you and Prince Orian? Banishing you meant he had someone outside the kingdom to investigate what happened. To dig into the other kingdoms that have been jealous of Wolfrest for so long.”
“Lockhart,” he whispered wearily.
“Let go of your anger toward your father for now. You won’t know for sure what he was thinking until you can confront him. If it turns out he was an inconsiderate asshole, you’ll be able to tell him as much to his face.” Nylian’s shoulders shook in a silent laugh, and I knew he was picturing that exact scene in his head. “The only thing that matters is Orian is alive. It’s not too late to save your brother. We’re going to Lockeheim to get the antidote and uncover once and for all the bastards who did this to you and your brother. You are so close to having your old life again.”
Nylian stilled in my arms. A moment later, his head whipped around and his expression was fierce as he locked eyes with mine. “I don’t want my old life back. You weren’t in my old life. I refuse to have a life that doesn’t include you.”
“I…” My voice cracked, and the rest of the sentence became lodged behind a lump in my throat. What could I tell him? That it wasn’t up to me? The magical coin had brought me here, and there was no way of knowing if it planned to zip me to my old life as soon as this story was concluded. I didn’t want to make any promises I couldn’t keep. That wasn’t fair to either of us.
But I could tell him what I wanted.
“I don’t want you to return to your old life. I want to stay with you.”
Nylian’s lips crashed against mine in a violent kiss that I returned with the same desperation and hunger. The road ahead of us was perilous, but it didn’t feel so impossible or lonely. I’d follow him into whatever battle waited for us, so long as I knew he was going to be at my side.
Tongues thrust and slid sinuously along each other. Teeth nipped and tugged. Little pains were licked away and searching hands pulled at clothing in blind desperation, fighting to find bare skin. It was the hottest kiss of my life, and it still wasn’t enough. I wanted everything, even if it scared me to death.
“Bed,” Nylian breathed across my damp and sore lips. “We need a bed.”