Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
“Yes. You saved me. And through that you saved us all,” I whisper, brushing my lips against his forehead as we hug in the black expanse of the shadowild, safe from monsters and prying eyes.
He rubs his cheek against mine. “Teamwork.”
I’m not sure what that means exactly, but I nod. “Teamwork.”
Luke has the funniest little expression, which reminds me of the pleased face Flap makes when he’s fed coralberries.
“Has Heartbreak really retreated? Is it over?” Luke asks with a whisper as his hug becomes a little firmer.
I nod, then kiss him, then nod again as we squeeze one another, riding the waves of relief. “We were born for this day,” I tell him, resting my forehead against his.
Luke glances at me with tears in his eyes. “Is it normal that I feel like… there’s a hole in my stomach?”
For a moment, I look down between us, terrified, but then reality dawns on me. He’s starving. I have to laugh. “Yes. We’ll eat as soon as possible.”
I say we, but until I get the smell of Heartbreak’s insides out of my throat, I won’t be eating anything.
Luke smiles back at me. “I love you. I was so scared.”
I’m stuck with my mouth open as the echo of fear comes over me, flashing our lucky escape through my head. “Me too. You fainted. I worried you might not wake up. When I said I’d never take your power for as long as I have my own, I was not just reciting a phrase. But you risked everything for me. Thank you,” I whisper, because as good as it would feel to ask that he never takes such risks again, I am eternally grateful for his aid.
“You did something even better. You gave me power, so I could choose to protect you. I saw what… happened to Anatole. I would do anything to prevent you from meeting the same fate. You’re my beloved prince.” He strokes my cheeks with a smile, and the bond I was so desperate to feel yesterday throbs between us.
With him as my Dark Companion, I’m ready to face the world.
We kiss as I pull us out of the shadowild, and once again, there’s a breeze on my skin and black sand under us. It’s so quiet without Heartbreak’s reverberating roars I could wrap myself around him like a she-wolf around her pups and fall asleep right here, on the shore. But we are no longer alone, and as I look up to take in the guards, Tristan, Lady Guinevere, Carol, and many others who chose to stay and fight, in case I failed, a sense of contentment settles in my chest.
“Heartbreak will be gone for a while,” I say before settling my gaze on Sylvan, who stands meekly in the back. “I am sorry about your brother. He fought bravely,” I lie, because there is no point in describing his shameful actions.
Only now I realize that I ripped apart my top for easy access to the eels. I’ve burnt through them all over the course of the battle, and only the golden sun is left to mark my skin. I am no longer ashamed of it, and silently challenge the onlookers to accuse me of crimes against my brother now, after I saved them all.
No one dares.
Baroness Olivia Goldweed clenches her fist by her mouth and throws her remaining son a hateful glare, but she says nothing.
Sylvan is bone-pale and dirty as he steps forward in the silence interrupted only by the sound of waves hitting the shore. He goes down to one knee in the black sand. “All hail, Lord of the Nocturne Court, Kyran Nightweed. Ruler of the Shadowild, Protector of the Nightmare Realm, and Knight of Grief Ocean.”
There will be no more fighting for the title. The gathered knights kneel one by one, and Luke raises my hand to his lips, kissing the wedding ring he made for me.
They all know what I am, that I am a sunspawn, and they accept me as their Lord.
The nobles brave enough not to hide in the palace start clapping and cheering.
Not for my brother.
For me.
Epilogue
Luke
Over the years, I had so many dreams about moving out of Mom’s home. They always involved showing her that I could make something out of myself, that I’m proud of who I am, as an artist and gay man.
I just never thought I’d be doing it in style.
Kyran insisted we come prepared, so now there are two massive kelpie-drawn wagons parked behind our uber-goth carriage, and elven servants course between my old room and the vehicles, fetching my clothes, books, and everything else I’ve accumulated over the years. Neighbors watch on from their porches and windows, and if they have any comments about me or the tall, dark, and handsome gentleman holding me under his arm, they’re keeping them to themselves.