Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
I can see the greed and hatred the villagers can harbor in their hearts. They blame the gods for everything when they abuse the offerings they’ve been given. Taking, always taking, not many multiplying of their own will or kindness, not like Venus and her sisters.
They remain here to give to the people, to offer them hope. That is what draws me to her. Her kindness and care—the pureness of her heart.
“You do not believe in your beauty?” I say, lifting a brow.
My eyes drop to her sweat-soaked breasts, tugging a smile from my lips. Venus has the curves of a goddess. I’ve loved on them enough to know they feel as wonderous as they look. At times, I can’t believe she thinks she’s a mere mortal.
I’ve long ago observed the truth about my love. Is she more mortal than not? Yes.
However, I have no doubt that she’s an enchantress with the spell she has me under. I don’t complain. I’d spend eternity under her whim.
I have grown to love this beautiful creature. If I feel this way for her. I cannot imagine how I would feel for my true mate.
“I may not be your mate to hear your thoughts, Kendrick, but they color your face.” Her breathless voice breaks into my thoughts.
She rolls her whiskey-colored eyes and purses her lush lips. Planting her small palms on my bare chest, she unseats herself from my length. The action causes a groan to push from my lips as I slip free of her warm body.
She lifts her bottom half and straightens gracefully until her long brown legs point up toward the gods. My lips lift higher in the corners as she dismounts from my body, landing like a cat on the balls of her feet on the dirt-packed floor.
“Have you ever thought that maybe your father didn’t want you to have a bond mate?” she asks bitterly.
I sit up at the waist to look down at her as her naked hips sway. The smooth skin of her body calls to me. I have yet to have my fill. I go to beckon her return, but she confirms this is done.
She lifts her hand and a fiery staircase appears. I drop my head back as laughter spills from my lips. Standing, I slowly descend the stairs. With each step I take, the flames extinguish beneath the soles of my feet. My own magic frosting each step effortlessly.
I reach the ground and fold my arms over my chest, grinning at her stubbornness. Her back is still to me as I sweep my gaze over her. Devouring every curve with my vision, I wonder how I’ve lived this long without her.
“You and I know my father has not been that gracious. He allows me the immortality of a god but leaves me to forever be bound to the blood of my warlock ancestors. I will fall to the curses of my mother’s bloodline, just as every king has. It is just a matter of when,” I grumble, the humor leaving my voice as I think of the vulnerabilities I’ve been cursed with for life.
“My poor king,” she purrs.
Sauntering forward, I wrap my arms around her waist from behind. Burying my face in her woven locks, I’m tempted to release the intricate hairstyle with the wave of my hand just to see it wild and free. Yet my love tossed flames at me the last time I did.
Instead, I shift my head to nuzzle her sweaty neck. I flick my tongue out to taste the salt of her skin. She begins to wiggle in my hold.
“You mock me,” I say. It’s not a question.
“I do not. You speak of your bloodline as if it is a curse. I see something different. Something invaluable,” she replies, her voice softening.
“Tell me, little one. What is it you see that is so invaluable about my fate?”
“You see? You call it your fate with such disdain. You come from a people of power. Every man is born a king, every woman a queen. I am a mere witch of study and conjuring. You have true power—”
I cut her off.
“We have power until humans figure out how to use us for this same power you envy. I am not a man to be controlled. Yet it is my fate to someday fall into enslavement. I do not see the glory or honor in this. We are kings and queens in name and name alone.”
I don’t tell her that she’s no simple witch of conjuring. I have held this fact to myself. I fear the consequence of others knowing what I know.
“You and your brothers have avoided enslavement thus far. Perhaps you will continue to,” she says, hope ringing clearly in her voice.
“My brothers avoid it by going into slumber. What life is that? To live but not live. I want to live, to taste, to feel the energy of the earth,” I reply.