Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 28782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
Chapter 6
Kael stood on the hidden balcony carved into the basalt cliff face and soaked in the view of the crashing waves along the Antrim Coast. In the far distance, the volcanic formation known as the Giant’s Causeway was just visible under the moonlight.
How many centuries had he admired the beauty of this harsh, unforgiving seascape? How many nights had he come here hoping the rhythmic motion of the sea would imbue him with the peace and tranquility that war and loss had leached from him so many lifetimes ago?
Footsteps approached from the stone corridor behind him. Kael braced against the thick ledge, expecting the worst. Deserving it.
“My lord?”
Tension drained from Kael’s shoulders. Liam’s voice told him the news was good. He breathed in the cleansing sea air and turned to his brother. “Thank you, old friend. She is well?”
Liam grinned. “She’s great.”
Kael’s gaze cut to Liam’s. “You spoke with her?” Liam nodded. “And what did you speak of?”
“Just introductions, really. Oh, and she wants to be able to ask you some questions.”
Kael hitched an eyebrow. “Does she now? About what, exactly?”
The warrior scratched his chin. “Didn’t say.”
“And you didn’t think to ask?” Kael’s layered robes caught the wind and danced around his legs.
He shook his head and shrugged. “Figured it didn’t really matter.”
Kael nodded and ran a hand through the unbraided side of his hair. “Fair point.” His mind raced as he tried to imagine what was going through her mind. What she might want to know.
He stepped toward the entryway and Liam moved to the side, allowing the king first passage. Liam secured the stone-faced door, constructed in such a way it was indistinguishable from the rest of the rock wall on the outside.
Anticipation lanced through him. “So, did she, uh, say anything about me, or, uh…” Kael pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Did she say anything about you?” He chuckled. “No, but I could pass her a note in study hall if you like.”
Kael’s fist connected with Liam’s bicep before he’d really thought to do it. Damn, that little release of tension felt good.
Liam grabbed his arm and spit out an old Gaelic curse. His glare was indulgent, bordering on a smug smile. “Feel better, my lord?”
Kael clapped him on the back. “Much. Let’s return to the chamber, shall we?”
Liam smirked. “She’ll be up in about an hour.”
Kael halted. “An hour?”
“She asked for some time.”
Kael ignored the humor coloring his old friend’s expression. “I guess I can’t blame her.” They resumed walking down the twisting passageway single file until it intersected with a main corridor. Liam secured a second door—this one modern, reinforced steel, before they continued on.
What the hell was he going to do with himself for another hour? As it was, he could barely restrain himself from showing up at the door to her apartment and begging her forgiveness. He shook his head at himself as they returned to the ceremonial anteroom to the feeding chamber.
“I don’t suppose we need to replicate the cleansing ritual, do we?” Liam rocked on his heels as if he was the one eager for the next hour to speed by.
“I shouldn’t think so.” Kael braced his hands on his hips. “Then again, this is a bit irregular.”
“Yes.” Fraternal affection shone from Liam’s eyes.
Kael turned away. Hope was the most dangerous of all the emotions. He would let Liam harbor enough of it for both of them, at least for now. Kael was trying hard to manage his expectations. Exactly how this would all work out remained to be seen.
And maybe it wouldn’t work out at all.
Sighing, he walked to the feeding chamber door and opened it. He knew something he could do to pass the time. But when he looked to the floor by the far wall, the mess he’d created was gone. The tabletop stood empty, and the shattered glass, broken candlesticks, and crushed flower stems had been removed.
Kael turned to Liam, knowing without question he’d taken care of it. “Thank you, and sorry.”
Liam waved him off.
A new idea flashed into mind, and it was brilliant. “Ah, I’ll be back.”
“My lord?”
“Ten minutes.”
“My lord, this is highly unusual.”
Kael’s smile hurt his cheeks. “Yes, it certainly is.”
“What if she returns before you do?”
Kael halted in the doorway to the antechamber. “Ah. Fair point. You wait here and tell her I’m sorry to keep her waiting but will only be a moment.”
“What?”
“Thanks, Liam,” Kael said, the rightness of his actions driving him away from the room. He marched through the empty halls to the small industrial kitchen. Although vampires could only consume the flesh of animals or liquids, particularly spirits, they kept other foodstuffs around for the few mated females, who retained most of their human physiology and still required regular nutrition, as well as for their human employees and the occasional human guest.