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 son wiped his hands on the cloth napkin and looked at Notalus with more concern. “I am not even three hundred years of age yet… do you really think it pressing I take a wife or husband now? You claim you’re ready for me to rule this kingdom, but here you sit…” Theodor cocked his head to the side. “Alone. Your warrior brother, Adres, tragic as his life was, is now happily mated and settled with a home on one of Earth’s mountain realms, with a handsome consort of his own—”
“Adres is a unique circumstance. A titan turned vampire, his mind cut off and lost to his western realm.”
“Yet, he persevered.”
“That he did.” Notalus nodded solemnly.
“Father, you need to venture out for a while. You stay in your quarters, or if you’re not alone inside, then you’re in the fields with the farmers.”
“And when was the last time you put your hands in the soil and encouraged new harvest? It is your birthright to inherit the autumn, but you should not receive it begrudgingly.”
“Father. When was the last time you visited with your titan brothers? It is rumored that Boraleashe’s icy heart may be thawing in his older age,” his son said tightly.
Notalus remembered him and his three brothers being summoned to the Volkov stronghold in the White Mountains by Adres’ distressed wind almost a year ago. That was the last time he’d seen Boraleashe, and Zapherali as well. And since that day, Notalus had been confined to his kingdom, bewildered and hesitant about the feelings he’d experienced while there. It wasn’t forbidden for a titan or a god to take a human lover, but it was very ill-advised. Mortals were delicate beings, and their deaths were inevitable. Notalus had zero intentions of taking a consort that would die well before him and leave him desolate and depressed.
Notalus sighed. Though Theodor was right. He needed to get out, or soon, their people would gossip and whisper on the condition of their lord. “Maybe I’ll go to Boraleashe’s home and visit with him. I’ll be sure to wear the heavier robes. For some reason, Reimse an Gheimhridh has gotten many degrees colder than in the past years. Boraleashe has always preferred the Realm of Winter be freezing enough to discourage visitors.”
“No doubt a reflection of his true nature.” Theodor scoffed but hastily changed the subject from Boraleashe when Notalus gave him a closer inspection. “The gardens around the quarter are looking especially beautiful this year. I heard you’ve been tending to them yourself.”
“I have.”
“Father. We have countless lord-hands to tend to your harvest so that you do not have to.”
“But I want to.” Notalus smiled. “The quarter gardens was where I met and fell in love with your mother, Theo. They hold a certain nostalgic healing for me.”
“Mother adores the gardens too. It doesn’t stop her from sharing her joy of it with her tenth new husband.”
Notalus pfft’d at the comparison. “Son, your mother is a celestial goddess of passion. Of course it doesn’t take her long to find another love. She’s the personification of attraction.”
Theodor stood and touched him in the center of his back, his heavy hand comforting through his thick shawl. “Mother performed her duties and gave you an heir. She raised me to be a good man and a strong titan. Now she’s happy to live her life as she deserves.” Theodor held their eye contact. “You deserve it too, Father.”
“Thank you, son. I will take your advice under consideration.”
“Please do.” Theodor stood to his full seven-foot height and slung his robe back around his shoulders. “I have a meeting with Lord Martus and his delegates in a little while to discuss expanding the kingdom into the Kinineau Coastal gardens, so I’ll see you for dinner.”
Notalus and the court already treated Theodor as if he was the Lord of Tir an Fhomhair because heaven knows that he’d already assumed a majority of the duties of that title. Notalus never undermined his son’s authority nor debated his policies. Theodor only needed Notalus’ full support, and that’s what he got.
Therefore, not much was expected of Notalus now that wasn’t ceremonial, and after a couple of millennia, he was more than ready to pass on his throne and enjoy the seasons in peace like everyone else.
Notalus
Answer the Call
Notalus slept fitfully in his four-poster bed despite his generous dinner and the raucous company of his son and the nobles of their house. He dreamed of raging storms as he tossed and turned until he could no longer lie there. It was quite early in the morning, and the house was still sound asleep as he sat on the side of the bed with his hands buried in his hair. He was thinking about everything and nothing until a gust of wind strong enough to blow his balcony doors open pulled him out of his funk. Notalus’ sheets and blankets flew off his bed onto the floor as he stood and rushed toward the open windows.