Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 106600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
“You are now a dual being like your mate. You can learn to be here and there. We can train you to master this gift and that weapon for the time to come,” he says.
“What’s this time you keep talking about?”
“You will see. Train first, talk more later. We go now while Ardan licks his wounds.”
“He’s upset with me?” I ask softly.
“He is upset with himself. He doesn’t know how to ask you for what he needs. He wars with what’s good for you and what’s right for everyone.”
My shoulder sag as I feel guilty for my earlier words. I didn’t mean to intentionally hurt his feelings. I know something has been going on with him.
He’s also keeping some of his thoughts from me. I didn’t used to be able to tell when he was holding back but lately it’s become clearer. That frustrates me because I’ve been leaving mine open more.
My mind goes to all he’s had to endured alone for so long. Maybe I should try a different approach. We need to talk about whatever has had him in this mood.
I think it’s time we do some heavy lifting. Not just talk, but meaningful conversations that lay out our real future, not hypothetically. Maybe it’s time I treated him to a date instead of the other way around. If I want to start to show him I’m all in I need to put actions to it.
I snap my fingers as a thought comes to me. “I need a favor. I will train with you and your ladies, but you have to help me with something special for Ardan,” I say.
“Name this thing you need, and it shall be done.”
“I need you to tell me everything you know about Ardan. All the things he loves, times in his life he has enjoyed. Things like that. I’ll take it from there,” I reply.
“I can do this.”
“Cool, but you can’t tell Ardan. Deal?” I say as I hold out my hand.
“You should know never to offer a trickster your hand to seal a deal. We will always manipulate the ties and binds of that agreement,” he says with a stern face, leaving my hand in the air. All traces of playfulness and warmth are gone.
He gives a bow and looks me in the eyes as he speaks again. “You have a deal, Billy. I will do anything for family.”
Ardan
“King Ardan,” Beck and Bourne squeal as I step outside for some fresh air.
I give the boys a smile and dip to lift them up in my arms as they coming barreling toward me. They are all sweaty as they chatter a mile a minute. My frustration and anger melt away as I listen to them.
I’m not angry with Billy. I’m frustrated with myself. I want to give her time to process this new life without the pressure of its needs from her. However, at the same time, I need her.
“Where’s Queen Billy?”
“She’s making a few calls. What are you two up to?”
“We were playing. We did good in training today and Amadeus is rewarding us with playtime,” Bourne says happily.
“Good job. I’m proud of you both,” I croon and tighten my hold to embrace them.
They both make this little sound as they snuggle into me, causing me to think of how much they need this from a trusted female. The problem is Billy doesn’t seem to be getting any closer to accepting us for who we are. I might be her mate and I’m satisfying her needs, but Billy holds me at arm’s length at most times.
How can I ask her to be something I’m not sure she wants? Asking her to help me is like being a single father with two boys. She didn’t sign up for this.
Yes, she has said she wants to help, but this isn’t something she can flake on. Billy will break their hearts if she’s not ready and changes her mind. She has a bond link with me, not with them.
Her rejection could be catastrophic for them. I will end up with two ice titans on my hands instead of the one from the visions. The balance will be lost and so will my solution for the problem.
“Will you come play with us? We have gotten fast, we can show you,” Beck says.
I place them both on their feet and pat the tops of their heads. They look up at me with sparkling eyes. I’m thrown back in time to when Bradan and I were their size.
We looked at our father the same way, happy he had come to earth to see us. My heart pangs. I realize I’m committed to them for more reasons than being their king.
Their laughter fills the air as I form water guns for the three of us. I begin to chase after them as they take off. I take turns soaking the two as they try to get away.