Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 94234 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94234 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
He was curious what it all must have looked like to Bell. “How do I look?” Alek asked.
Bell shivered in his arms, his voice quivering with each word, “B-bright blue eyes, with… w-with… an orange g-glow… behind them.”
Alek just wanted to ensure Bell wasn’t looking at him with fear. He moved to get Bell’s chilled body into the hot water. Bell’s knotted hair swung over his arm, reaching past his hip and Alek thought he couldn’t wait to wash and brush through it. He never thought he’d be doing this, ever, but as he held his helpless mate, he knew there was no job he wouldn’t do for him. This was a part of what being a mate meant. They were to care for each other always—in sickness and in health. He wished the Lord Protector would understand that there would never be a need for chamberlains to take over Alek’s duties.
He set Bell on a boulder protruding from the side of the alcove that’d been worn smooth from years of flowing water. Bell was able to hold himself up better while submerged, the steaming water coming up to his chin.
Alek reached over and opened the bag of supplies, pulling out a couple of bars of soap, a thick wash rag and Bell’s own shampoo and conditioner. Once all the items were accessible, Alek got ready to get to work. Wrath wasn’t as close to the surface anymore, allowing Alek to be in full control, but he stayed near, his energy still flowing through him.
“H-how…” Bell swallowed, working his throat a few times. His voice was getting stronger the more he tried to use it.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve been like this. The three of us working together. Not since I was a teenager. Not since I blamed Wrath for killing my mother. I was wrong. Wolf and I were both wrong. Wrath had done what we couldn’t do back then, made a tough decision that cost some lives, but saved many. And instead of thanking him, we made him pay the price for those we lost by shutting him out. Locking him away. Away from my heart and soul—the two things Wrath needs in order to be decent. With nothing to touch his human side, he’ll wreak havoc wherever he goes. He’s not bad, only misunderstood.” Alek was speaking to Wrath while he lingered so close to Alek, as well as explaining what this all meant to their mate.
It was time Wrath heard him say those words out loud because Alek was sure the demigod could already feel it inside his heart. He was wide open to both of his beasts. There’d be no more rebuking who they were. Alek was ready to fully embrace the gifts he’d been given and would fulfill his role in the prophesy the best way they could. Going through this experience—saving Bell together—had been an eye opener for them, a game changer. There was a long moment when nothing was said… only the mixing of feelings.
Then Wrath finally responded by returning the same regretful emotions to him. He’d wished things had gone differently as well. Wrath said, in a somber tone, it’s not always possible to save them all, Alek. I’m sorry too.
Feeling they were in a good headspace, Alek was ready to get to his task. He gave Bell a little time to process what he was witnessing. It wasn’t every day a person met one of the demigods. Alek decided he’d start with himself. He ran his hands all over his arms and chest with one of the bars of soap. He did it slowly while Bell eyed him with interest.
“A-Alek?”
Alek nodded, inching closer, wanting to hold Bell, bury his face behind his ear and nibble on him there. But right now the most important thing was Bell’s continuous healing, then accepting who his fated truly was.
“It’s me, Bell. You still don’t appear convinced. Do you want me to prove it?” Alek smiled.
Bell shifted, resting one arm on the rocks, the other he lazily ran back and forth over the water’s surface. Bell coughed a couple of times then croaked, “H-how can you?”
“Easy.” Alek grabbed the fragrant soap. He laid it on the back of Bell’s neck, rubbing it in slow, soothing circles. Bell moaned prettily for him. “I can tell you something Wrath, or Wolf would know.”
Bell’s brow creased, and Alek couldn’t resist leaning in and gently kissing the spot.
“You feel so …w-warm, just like before,” Bell whispered. “B-but, your eyes are different.”
“I am different now. I can control the heat.” Alek moved the rag along Bell’s chest. “I used to fear it. But I don’t anymore.”
“Tell me the p-proof,” Bell challenged.
Alek loved the way Bell’s head fell to the side when Alek leaned in to give the sensitive flesh over his mark a good cleaning. “Okay.” Alek said, amused. “When you and Wick were young you used to sneak into the Widow Bradley’s wild berry farm—not to eat them—just so you’d smell like the sweet perfume the fruit left all over you.” Alek stared into Bell’s eyes. “You said I reminded you of that adventure. I smelled wild, sweet, and a little bit dangerous.”