Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
He had this wild hair that was all these different lengths, some strands falling to his jaw while others dropped nearly to his ass. It had looked reddish-brown in the prison, but after washing it, his hair had taken on a much redder tint. It was also fuller, leaving him wanting to reach out and wrap a length around his finger.
The man’s features were sharp and harsh, but Shey wondered how much of that came from losing weight during the past several months. Were they usually softer, rounder? However, the sharp cut of his jaw and the jut of his cheekbones did nothing to detract from the fullness of his lips that seemed to turn permanently into a mocking grin now.
This was the God of Luck? He acted more like he should be the God of Mischief. The God of Snark. The God of Sleeping In, Weekends, and Long Holidays. The God of Coffee.
“There is one thing I don’t know,” Tyche said in a playful, lilting tone.
“I doubt there’s only one thing you don’t know.”
The god didn’t blink an eye at that comment. “You still haven’t told me who this Rayne is?”
Shey swore and sat up. Tyche joined him, looking as if he would follow Shey no matter where he went. The painful digestion phase was complete, and Tyche was prepared to gorge himself on some steamy tea.
“Come on. You promised to tell me. Adrian even mentioned his name. There was talk of a wedding in Erya. Sounded as if even the king was in attendance. This must be an important person. Please, Shey. Tell me. In all the weeks that we were locked up together, Rayne was the only name you ever let slip. Tell me.”
“It’s boring,” Shey warned, climbing to his feet.
“Don’t care.” Tyche grabbed his arm and pulled him back to the bed, where Shey sat with a bounce. Tyche twisted and bounced down on the bed opposite him. He crossed his slender legs in front of him, settling in like he was about to hear the juiciest story ever told.
Why not? Tyche had been with him through thick and thin. Kept him sane during some of the worst moments of his life. Whether it made sense or not, he saw this strange creature as a friend.
“His name is Rayne Laurent.” Shey stopped and sucked in a breath. “At least, I think it is. He could have changed it after he married.” He didn’t even know that. Fuck, he was an asshole.
“You’ll get to that part. Start at the beginning,” Tyche urged, jerking him from his swirling thoughts.
“Fine. We met at university. He was an international exchange student studying in Sirelis through a prestigious program. His father was a powerful advisor in the Erya government, and Rayne was brilliant. Really, just so smart it drove me crazy. Even more than the fact that he was sexy and serious. He held himself in a way that made him seem unattainable.”
“Which meant you had to have him.”
Shey lifted an eyebrow at Tyche’s interjection. “Am I that predictable?”
“Eh. More like overconfident and self-important, but it makes you cute instead of pompous.” Tyche waved a hand at him. “Keep going.”
At least he didn’t have to worry about developing a big ego around Tyche. The god was sure to keep knocking him down a peg when his head got too big.
“Anyway, yes, I had to have him, and I did. We dated for almost the entire two years that he was studying in Sirelis. No, it wasn’t all sex, though there was a lot of it. We went out, had secret dinners, and talked endlessly. He had all these grand policy ideas about ways to make the government more efficient and to help the common man. We argued all the time, but I loved it. I thought I learned more arguing with Rayne than in all my years of study. Being with him made me a better leader.”
Shey paused and licked his lips, his thoughts dancing among hundreds of images of their early years together. Dinners in their private room at Panu’s. Pacing Rayne’s tiny apartment as they argued. Stretched out naked and sweaty in his bed after they made up.
“But…” Tyche reached across and poked him in the knee.
“But I’m the prince of Caspagir, and he was destined for a post in the Erya government. Two different countries and two very different paths. We always knew that our futures led in separate directions, so we never talked about being together after he finished his time at school. I let him go.”
“You let him go, even though you loved him?” Tyche’s tone made it clear he thought Shey was a moron. Shey couldn’t argue with him.
“I wasn’t willing to admit to myself that I was in love. At least not as deeply as I felt it. I told myself that it was just a very good friendship. That was all it could be. There was no way he’d be willing to give up all his plans to move to Caspagir. His father and all his studies were fast-tracking him to a life in government. He was brilliant. I knew he was going to end up either as the advisor to the king or at least the prime minister.” Shey let out a disgusted sound. What had seemed very logical at the time felt so stupid now.