Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 132625 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132625 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
“I missed you,” I whisper, and the ache in my chest slowly drains away.
His gaze flicks to the door and then I’m in his arms, spun until my back is to the wall and my face is cupped in his big hand. “Not as much as I missed you.”
I tug my bottom lip between my teeth.
“You didn’t have to do this. I don’t need any gifts.”
His callus-roughened fingers tickle my palm as he lifts one earring, then brings it to my ear. “That’s too bad because I want to give you them all.” He slides it into place before taking the other. His fingertips scrape across my earlobe, and I shiver.
“Have you thought any more about what we discussed?”
My stomach flutters at the memory of our last conversation. “I thought maybe that was the faerie wine talking. If my brother has been pressuring you to think this way, and you don’t want—”
He presses a finger to my lips. “I am in love with you, Felicity. I have been since the first time I laid eyes on you.”
My cheeks flame hot and I drop my gaze. “I don’t know why.”
“Because you’re beautiful. And kind. And loyal. You’re more than I ever dreamed I would find in a partner, and I am prepared to do whatever your mother asks to have you as my wife. But only if that’s what you want.”
He dips his head and sweeps his lips across mine. They’re so soft and the kiss is so gentle, and I arch my back, pressing onto my toes as I part my lips beneath his. I want more. Our time together has been full of stolen moments and fleeting kisses, and never enough time alone.
Felicity, you have to wake up.
The words have me pulling away and looking around. “Did you say something?”
He arches a brow, amused. “While I was kissing you?”
“I mean, in my mind?”
I think I hear my name again, but this time it’s little more than a distant echo. More like a memory than a sound.
Misha cocks his head. “Are you okay?”
I focus and hear nothing. Feel nothing but the presence of the male before me. I shake my head. “I’m fine. Just a little tired, I think.”
“You aren’t sleeping,” he says. “More nightmares.”
I shrug, as if it’s nothing. “Can you stay? The maids always keep the guest room ready.” Not that I wouldn’t prefer he stay in my room, but Mother would never hear of it.
His throat bobs and regret shines in his eyes. “There have been developments in Faerie and threats against my court. I’ve spent too much time away, and it’s weakening the magic of the throne.”
Something twists in my chest, hard and tight. “Of course you need to be home. I can come to you sometimes.”
He slowly shakes his head. “Not until it’s safe. I won’t put you in danger.”
“I’ll be fine.”
He steps back. “Felicity . . .”
I see the resolve in his eyes, and it guts me. “I am not some delicate thing you need to protect. I love you. I don’t want to lose you.”
“Then wait for me.” His expression is so patient, even though I’m asking something I have no right to ask. I knew who Misha was when we first began our relationship, even before the rumors of a court takeover came to light. I knew what his responsibilities were and what his priorities had to be.
“The people who want to steal your court while it’s weak—they will do anything to spread their lies across your kingdom and remove you from that throne. Good is at a disadvantage against evil because we have morals. We have lines that we will not cross. They do not.”
“They don’t have this, though,” he says, stroking the side of my face with his thumb. “Because they will never know a love like this, they will never have as much to fight for as I do.”
Tears streak hot and wet down my cheeks as he lowers his mouth to mine. And for the first time his kiss isn’t fleeting. He angles his head and parts his lips and pulls me close. The kiss is deep and full of all the love and promise I could ask for. This is a kiss of I’m coming back for you. A kiss of I will win because of this love. A kiss of devotion.
I let him wrap me into his arms and try to push it all from my mind, but when I tuck myself into bed, I still feel off. Still hear those words like someone was taking me by the shoulders and shaking me. Felicity, you have to wake up.
The wail of the siren pulls me from sleep, and I bolt upright in bed.
A siren.
The breath leaves my lungs.
They’re here. They’ve breached the palace walls.
Before my feet can hit the floor, my door flies open and my handmaid rushes to my side.