Total pages in book: 207
Estimated words: 196971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 985(@200wpm)___ 788(@250wpm)___ 657(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 196971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 985(@200wpm)___ 788(@250wpm)___ 657(@300wpm)
After a moment, he said, “Of course.”
Chapter Ten
When Soleil woke up the next day, there was no sign of the marquis ever being in her room except for a handwritten note on her bedside table. His handwriting was bold and elegant, just like the man himself.
Always a thought away.
Yours,
Ilie Marcovici
As soon as she had read it, she heard his voice in her mind, almost like he had been there the entire time, guarding over Soleil in her sleep. Good morning, ma lisse.
She couldn’t help blushing at hearing it. The words felt forbidden and intimate, but even so, she stammered, G-good morning.
I apologize for not being there, but I had to make haste for Brimstone.
Soleil was instantly worried. Why? What for?
To recuperate. I am not at my strongest and I worry that if I stay there, it would draw even more attention to you. I do not want you to encounter trouble while I am too weak.
I see. She bit her lip. How long do you think that would take?
It is hard to tell, but I beg of you—-
What?
Do not miss me too much.
She said feelingly, Jerk.
He laughed. You are too easy to vex.
Hmph!
Now, now, ma lisse. Do not hate me too much or I will not be able to share with you my good news.
Fine, you’re forgiven, she said with ill grace. Now, tell me your good news.
It is the other reason why I am here in Brimstone. I have commissioned a ring for your finger.
Oh.
Oh!
I d-don’t know what to say. It was true. She hadn’t even allowed herself to think that otherworlders like Ilie would know, much less care, about such traditions.
It will be a ring that only you possess, for the gemstone being crafted as we speak is one that belongs only to the royal family of Lunare. It is befitting for a remarkably unique girl like my heartkeeper.
Oh.
Oh!
Do you know, she whispered, I would have never imagined you could be so impossibly sweet.
There was a pause before the marquis said, I’m certain you mean well, milady, but your words make me sound like a...boy who had just pleased his Mama.
Oops. Swallowing back a giggle at the faint distaste in his voice, she said, Sorry.
He sighed. You could have simply gushed about my manhood, you know.
Milord!
Another sigh. Ilie, ma lisse. Can you not be more used to calling me that?
She bit her lip. I’ll t-try. Ilie.
Thank you...Soleil.
Her toes curled hard. Oh dear God, how was it that simply hearing the marquis murmur her name was such an undeniable pleasure?
Even after mentally bidding each other farewell, the pleasure remained with her. In the shower, it was the same, Soleil unable to stop replaying the sound of his voice in her mind.
And so it continued for the rest of her morning. Over breakfast or while riding the carriage to ANEX, her thoughts were completely consumed by the marquis.
She only consciously pushed them to the back of her mind when she entered Crystal’s office. This woman deserved her complete attention above all else.
“I owe you my life, Crystal.” Soleil hugged the older woman tightly. “I don’t know how to make it up to you, but whatever you need, I promise...”
Crystal drew away laughingly as Soleil sniffed back her tears. “Is this really you, blubbering like a fool?” But her misty gaze was proof that she wasn’t as unaffected as she pretended to be. Waving to the couch, she said, “Go sit down and tell me how it happened.”
“What do you want to know?”
Taking out several canisters from her cupboard, Crystal said, “The heartkeeping, for one. I thought you were against it?”
“I was.”
Crystal nodded understandingly. Any kind of union with a demon was detestable, after all. “Then you tricked the demon into it?”
“Oh, no. I d-didn’t have to. You see, at first, I had planned to die rather than trap the marquis into a forced union with me. But then when I lay dying in his arms, he told me...he loved me.”
Crystal stilled. “And you believed him?”
“Not just that,” Soleil said shyly. “Actually, I love him, too, and...w-we want you to be our godmother in our wedding, if you are fine with that.” She bit her lip. “I know you do not think much about his kind, but he is only half-demon—-”
Crystal’s fingers shook as she reached for another canister in the cupboard, one that was hidden all the way in the back, behind taller jars and bottles.
“And if you give him a chance, I truly believe you will see he is not that...bad,” Soleil finished awkwardly. She held her breath when Crystal turned towards her, bearing a tray of drinks, and exhaled in relief when she saw the resigned smile on the older woman’s face.
“If it is what you say...” Crystal sat down across her and offered Soleil a cup of tea. “Then perhaps I do need to meet him.”