Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 34185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
His mate was conversing with two of his guards, who quickly retreated at Dustin’s approach. Notalus turned to face him, his eyes coming alight as his gaze traveled from Dustin’s short, cropped hair to his boots, a serene smile gracing his regally gorgeous face as he melted into Dustin’s embrace. They kissed and held each other as if they’d been apart for days when it had only been an hour. Their mate bond was strong and stable, the craving to be with each other too intense to ignore.
“You look amazing,” Dustin moaned, flooding their connection with how turned on he was at seeing him. He smoothed his hand down Notalus’ braid. “I like your hair like this.”
Notalus released a surprised gasp into his mouth before he reared back in his hold. Dustin frowned, wondering what he’d said or done that was out of place. The guards’ backs were against the walls, their eyes scanning everything except them.
“What is it? What did I do?” Dustin asked, still absently stroking Notalus’ braid.
His mate shook his head as if he was confused, a hint of amusement curving his sexy mouth. “It’s nothing… just… no one has ever complimented my hair before.”
Dustin chuckled, shaking his head sadly. “Well then, that’s a shame.”
“Thank you,” Notalus whispered as a cool breeze circulated around them, shoving Notalus in tighter against his chest.
“That’s a neat trick you have, mate. I love it when you use your wind like that. Mmmm, especially when we’re in bed.” Dustin licked his way back inside Notalus’ mouth, unable to get a thorough enough taste. His titan was a blend of everything wonderful about autumn. He was all earth tones and sharp features, fair skin with tresses the shade of fallen leaves. “Are you making the wind?”
“No. I can only manipulate and control the wind,” Notalus answered. “I cannot create it.”
The gust picked up enough to make the aspen and hawthorn trees bend toward Notalus as if bowing to their master. The water rippled in the fountain, while new buds floated into the air. Dustin stared up at the clear blue sky through the towering skylights while Notalus sucked passion marks along his throat.
“I have something to show you,” he murmured against Dustin’s flushed skin. “Something special for my consort. A gift fitting for the moon god.”
Dustin huffed an exasperated breath. “Part god, Notalus, or more like one-quarter god. That’s nothing to boast about because I hardly feel like one. I’m a shifter that also just happens to be really good at farming.”
“Oh Dustin,” Notalus sighed, stroking his beard and making him bite his lip to hold in his groan. “You are so much more than that, and I’m about to show you.”
Dustin
I Might Can Get Used to This
Dustin had never felt so awkward as he was paraded around town like a show horse. It was nice that everyone was so gracious and happy to see them, but Dustin wasn’t used to being fawned over and praised like some… oh, for fuck’s sake… like some god.
However, the gratitude in the atmosphere was contagious as he observed the people from Fhomhair celebrate their version of Thanksgiving. Food and drink flowed freely at every turn, but instead of families celebrating in their homes amongst themselves, the entire realm feasted together in the streets like some huge block party. No single person was left home alone with a plate that was dropped off on their doorstep because they had no partner or children. Dustin loved that about this festival and that it went on for three days. One day of thanks wasn’t nearly enough.
He and Notalus were invited to eat and mingle every few steps, and all of the food was delicious, albeit some a bit interesting. Dustin made a few middle-aged men—whom Notalus informed him were successors of an imperial cult that existed in Domhan Geal, the Bright World—guffaw and ridicule him when he spat out a native fruit his mate informed him was fertilized with centaur urine.
“You are beloved already, my alpha,” Notalus confirmed as they walked and waved at the crowd gatherers.
Heavens’ goodness did they wave. Dustin felt his arm might fall off if he lifted it even one more time. He was slowly getting used to the large entourage that traveled behind Notalus at all times, most of them being guards. While his mate assured him they were safe in his realm, there were still demons and otherworldly monsters that had tried to lay siege to their harvest. But the people of Fhomhair typically enjoyed long periods of peace.
“They seem happy for you,” Dustin acknowledged. In the few hours they’d been at the festival, they’d received countless congratulations and gifts for their new union.
“Perhaps they are,” Notalus agreed, gazing down at him.
“Kiss him! Kiss him!” the people chanted when he and Notalus got lost in each other’s eyes.