Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 96(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 96(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
“What if she is wrong?”
Ansel narrowed his eyes. “My prince, Thayla is never wrong.”
“Then perhaps you misunderstood her; maybe I’m not your reward. I’m not a soldier, Ansel. I’m not strong. I’m not even a prince, really. Last night was the first time I’d ever been outside of the castle grounds. I’m a man with no skills and no knowledge of the world. I fainted when you told me of your gifts, and I was frightened by a dream. I’m shameful.”
Ansel’s shoulders slumped as his expression fell. He’s realizing his mistake. But to my surprise, he reached out and took my hand, caressing his coarse thumb over my knuckles. “Please do not say such things about yourself. You are strong; even when your own parents mistreated you for your whole life, you didn’t let it taint your heart. You stayed kind and sweet, and that takes a very special type of strength.”
“As far as fainting, do not be ashamed; I don’t know a soul who would be unbothered after hearing so much life-altering news in a short time. And the sole purpose of nightmares is to frighten. Please promise me that you will never hide your emotions. I want to know what scares you so that I can help you through it.”
I stared at him for a moment, unsure how to respond. “You are the most amazing person I’ve ever met,” I finally replied. He knew just what to say, and I could feel his care and honesty in every word. “And I promise,” I added, remembering his request. I wanted to share my thoughts and emotions with him because I needed his strength and support.
“Thank you.” I was disappointed when Ansel let go of my hand until he leaned forward across the table and placed another kiss on my forehead.
“Thank you,” I retorted, making him chuckle. “But you know, you could kiss me properly.”
“Properly?” His lips twisted into a smirk. “I’m sorry; I didn’t know my kisses were so terrible.”
“They aren’t! They’re wonderful! I just meant…if you were waiting on permission…you have it. You can kiss me in other places.” I pursed my lips in case my meaning wasn’t clear enough.
Ansel’s sly smile remained when he asked, “You mean here?” Before pressing a kiss to my cheek. It was so nice, but it wasn’t what I really wanted, so I shook my head. “Oh, then you must mean here.” He kissed the tip of my nose, and while my heart fluttered, it did not satisfy me. “Or do you mean…” Ansel traced his thumb along my lips as he whispered, “Here?”
I couldn’t even muster a nod, but Ansel knew what I wanted. He approached slowly as he wrapped his hand around the back of my head. He carded his fingers through my hair and his breath puffed against my skin just before his lips touched mine.
I moaned unashamedly as my eyes rolled back in my head and closed. Everything about the moment was perfect; the way his strong hand gently cradled my head, how his scruffy beard tickled my cheeks, and the tenderness of the kiss itself; like it meant as much to him as it did to me. And it meant everything to me.
Ansel carefully pecked my lips before pulling away, and it took several moments for my eyes to open again. My vision was blurry and I felt a little dizzy, as if I’d had too much wine, but I knew that I was only drunk on the gorgeous man before me.
He winked and went back to his meal as I continued to gawk at him. When he cleared his plate, I realized just how long I’d been staring, and tried to make conversation again.
“So, Thayla told you all about me?”
“She did,” Ansel replied with a nod, “But I’d love to hear it from you.”
I smiled and thought about how to start. He already knew about my parents and my upbringing, and about my keeper Fagen. Oh, I know! “I can read,” I told him proudly.
Ansel answered with a bright grin, “That’s very impressive.”
“It’s my favorite thing to do. When I was stuck in the castle, I would read about far away places and pretend that I was there. I lost myself in the pages and dreamed of going on adventures.”
“How exciting.”
“It was. Fagen even got me a new book for my birthday yesterday, but I didn’t get a chance to read it.”
I flinched when Ansel slapped the table and stood up from his chair. “I almost forgot about your birthday present!”
“You have something for me?” I asked excitedly. He had already done so much for me, but I couldn’t help but be eager for a gift.
“I do.” Ansel hustled across the room and opened a cupboard. After rummaging through it, he stood up, holding a long strip of leather in his hand. “Stand up, please.” I did as he asked, and Ansel wrapped the leather around my waist before securing it in a tight knot.