Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 32263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Like this, we’re almost equals. Almost. If you don’t count the tremendous size difference and the fact that he owns this castle, has servants, and is the proprietor of an entire kingdom.
His dark hair falls loose around his broad shoulders, thick and slightly tousled as if he spent some time washing and running his hands through it to try and make it fall just right.
I hate that he’s so handsome. Beauty always makes things so dangerous.
If he had been an old, weathered, ugly king, I could have lifted my chin, said no thank you, and taken the high road back to my village.
But those eyes… Gods, those gray eyes…
They change everything.
They throw logic and better judgment out the window.
Alaric is dressed in a finely tailored tunic and coat that is perfectly fitted to his large powerful frame. The material in this place… Gods, it’s so luxurious. So soft. So beautiful. My fingertips tingle as I imagine running them over the stretched cloth running across his solid chest.
“This mural was commissioned before I was born,” he says, standing beside me.
My whole body comes alive with him so close. It would feel so natural to slip my hand into his, but I don’t. I hold them behind my back just in case they start to get a mind of their own.
“To be honest, I forgot it was even here. I’ll have it destroyed at once.”
“That’s not necessary,” I say with a nervous chuckle. “It’s a historical piece. And it’s…”
I quickly look it over, trying to find something to compliment about it. I wince when I zero in on the tormented look on the face of the king’s severed head.
“…very… large,” I finally say. “I’m just glad that part of history is over.”
“As am I,” he replies quietly.
He turns toward me and offers his arm. “Shall we eat dinner?”
“Yes,” I say, wrapping my arm around his gigantic bicep. “Although, I’d love a tour of the castle. I’ve never been inside one before.”
“Your wish is my command.” He smiles down at me and my breath catches in my throat. I can tell he’s not the type of man who smiles very often, if ever. It feels so intimate, like he’s showing me a peek into the real him. I’m getting a glimpse of the man behind the crown.
And I want to see more.
First, he brings me to the library where there are more books than I thought existed in the world. My mouth drops open as I look up at the towering shelves of old leather-bound books rising up to the high ceiling.
“Do you like to read?” he asks, those sharp gray eyes studying my face.
“I do,” I say, thinking of those crazy love stories I exchange with Lyris. Stories of women who fall in love with mermen in the ocean and flying men in the sky. Although after today, those stories don’t feel so crazy anymore. They kind of feel like instructional manuals.
He pulls out a thick leather book and blows the dust off it. “Soil harvesting techniques of the ancient Kralak,” he reads off the cover. “Have you read this one?”
I swallow hard and shake my head. “I don’t believe I have.”
He flips a few pages and then returns it to its spot. “These are all yours to read whenever you desire.”
“Thank you,” I say, looking around for the section with the fun, trashy romance books. I might have to start one…
We continue exploring the castle, walking along the ramparts outside where the stunning view of the land opens up beneath us, and I have to stop just to take it all in. The stone railing is cool beneath my fingers as I look out over rolling green hills that stretch as far as the eye can see. A few sheep dot the green grass in the distance.
Beyond the hills is the wild dark forest that spreads out to the horizon. That must be the real kingdom of this Wolf King. I shiver, wondering how many large, hungry wolves are roaming in that forest right now.
The sun is beginning to set, painting the sky in bright, vibrant colors. It’s beautiful. I’ve never seen the world from this high. This is how giants must view the land.
The entire scene feels unreal, like I’ve stepped into a story that’s meant to be read rather than lived.
I can feel King Alaric’s warmth beside me and I step a little closer to his hulking frame. He stands there stoically, surveying his kingdom with steely eyes, his dark hair waving in the cool breeze. This man was made to rule.
But I can’t help but wonder if what he said is true. Was he made for me?
And me for him?
I can’t deny the intense yearning I’ve been feeling. Even when I was getting ready with Nyxara, I was counting the seconds until I would get to see him again.