Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
“I’ll make the contact,” Killian says as we near the garage where Rowan parks his car.
“And I’ll drive,” adds Rowan.
Killian dumps the barrel in the trunk of the vehicle, and when we’re nestled inside, Rowan starts the car but gives pause as he clutches the wheel.
“So…with that Decius creature gone, does that mean Willow will be staying in Vakeeli now?” he asks.
I keep my eyes ahead. “She’s still thinking about it.”
Rowan grips the wheel, reversing with a slow spin of the steering wheel until we’re on the concrete path. “Well, I hope she does,” he says, driving forward now. “She makes you give us compliments.”
I huff a laugh. “What?”
“It’s true. I don’t remember you ever telling me that I’m smart for anything,” Killian interjects with a chuckle.
“I’ve called you smart before,” I counter.
“Sure, you have,” he boasts. “Sarcastically.”
Rowan breaks out in laughter, driving onto the main road that takes us away from Blackwater Manor and toward the village. As he goes, my eyes fly past the dark trunks of trees that stretch to evergreen treetops.
“She’s putting a change in you already.” Rowan turns on the air conditioning. “Keeps you looking ahead. Makes you smile. You needed someone like her in your life. I swear you were a desolate bore before.”
“She saves you from yourself,” Killian adds.
I angle my head just enough to see Killian in the backseat. “I thought you didn’t trust her.”
“Long and gone, brother,” he declares. “After all this Cold Tether shit, it’s clear she has your best interest in mind.”
I stare through the windshield, my heart thumping. Love of Vakeeli, my heart is jumping around in my chest like a wild rabbit thinking about her.
“She’s my better half,” I say, and though it’s out loud, I say it more to myself. “I’ll do anything for that woman.”
Chapter 66
WILLOW
I wake to the muted roar of the ocean. It’s a soothing sound, one that makes me want to stay in bed all day and never leave it.
My eyelids flutter open, lazily sliding to the thick tinted glass of Caz’s bedroom balcony. The dark waters ripple beneath the sunlight like black jewels.
I’m still lying in his bed, naked beneath the black sheets. The delicate space between my thighs aches as I remember what we did last night, and even during the early hours of the morning before the sun was anywhere in sight.
Yawning, I look to my right and notice Caz’s side is vacant. I rub a hand along his side of the bed, and it’s cool to the touch. I sit up against the headboard, and my eyes fall to the nightstand. There’s a folded sheet of ivory paper on it with my name scrawled in black ink. Caz’s handwriting.
I smile at the thought of him writing a note before running off to wherever he’s gone.
I pick it up and read it.
You were sleeping so peacefully that I didn’t want to wake you. I have some things to do today but make yourself at home. Will return within a few hours.
I love you,
Caspian
His name is signed skillfully, like he’s had to sign it so many times before that it falls from his fingers naturally. A smile sticks to my lips as I hold the letter to my chest. A door slams from a distance, heavy like it could be the front door of the manor.
A burst of red catches my eye, and I look to my left. There’s a red outfit hanging from a steel room divider, and on the chair next to it is a black shopping bag. I wrap myself in the sheets and rush over to pick up the bag. Inside are panties, jewelry, toothbrushes, and feminine products like tampons and pads, which I’m glad are similar to what we have on Earth. I’m pretty sure I’m due for a period soon.
There’s a note attached to the bag, and I pluck it off.
Self-care first, then we have fun.
- Maeve
I tuck the letter into the bag with a smile then take down the outfit, running my fingers through the soft, cottony fabric. Of course, it’s red, a color that seems to be a favorite of Maeve’s.
I carry all the items to the bathroom and hop in the shower, taking a moment to breathe and let the warm water wash over my skin. I relish in the calmness, feeling a sense of peace when I realize things can go back to normal...whatever that normal may be for us.
No more running away from danger. No more worrying about sleeping in case Mournwrath tries to attack me in my dreams. I wonder where Korah took him, actually, and if we’ll ever see her again. At least one more time. I actually really like her, despite how hardened she is. Has she gone back to Earth? Is she still here? Has she paid her sister a visit? Maybe she and Hassha can go find Selah now that Decius has been put down. I’m certain they’d survive and can wake her without Caz.