Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 114925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
“There you are.” He stopped in the center and smiled. “Hello, Lady Pink.”
“Hello, Cyrus.”
“Not sugar bear?”
“Not at this time.” Head high, I stepped from the stone, and it felt like walking from the middle of a wave. My robe refit itself to my body, hardening into armor. It happened in an instant and automatically, with no conscious thought on my part. Like a computer running in the background.
The picture of indulgence, he slid his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “The Rock becomes you, but you’ll look even better wrapped in me.”
I allowed no reaction. “You said you no longer desire me.”
“I’ve said many things.”
“True. You also said you were born to rule. But I’m saying not like this. Not with Astan.”
He waved away my words. “Too late.”
“Then we are enemies.”
“We are. The worst has yet to come, you know.”
“For you? Yes. I know.” And I did. I would show him no mercy in my quest to win him. Once, he’d brought me into the Rock. Now I returned the favor.
Cyrus smiled. “I’ll come after you with everything I’ve got.”
“Good. I look forward to your surrender.” I tilted my head and returned the smile with one of my own, more confident than I’d been in a long time. I hadn’t read more of my book yet, but here, now, I had an ingrained knowledge of what I’d find at the end: victory. “I meant it when I said I love you.”
“Loving me will kill you,” he warned.
“But you’ll live again, so I’m okay with that.”
He went still, as if surprised.
“I’m going to free you, Cyrus Dolion. Consider yourself a mansel in distress. I’m the foe you can’t shake, even in your wildest dreams. I won’t give you up, won’t back down, won’t capitulate.”
Unbridled amusement flashed over his features. “I don’t need freeing, sweetness. But you will. I have plans for you . . .”
I lifted my chin. “Whatever you attempt will fail.”
He hiked his shoulders, shrugging again. “We shall see.”
Yes. We would. “You once loved Soal,” I reminded him.
“I supposed I loved you more.” He smiled again. “Soal’s book told me to give you up. I refused then, and I refuse now. That became clear to me when you branded me with your kiss.” He rubbed his fingers over his once-scarred cheek. “This one you cannot see. But I’ll win you, just give me time. What I’ll do when I have you, for however long I decide you may keep breathing, well, we’ll find out together.” He strode off, whistling as he vanished.
My heart thudded as I eased back, sinking into the Rock.
Domino waited for me, his presence a much-needed comfort. His dog, Archive, sat at his feet.
Uh . . . We weren’t in my memorial but a small, plain chamber with a bed, desk, and private bathroom.
“Your new quarters,” he said, spreading his arms. “Decorate it however you please.”
I bent down to pet the little cutie. Such soft fur. Maybe he sensed my bond to Domino. Archive leaned into my touch, eager for more, as if he sensed my bond to his dad.
“Come.” A picture of power and security, the librarian offered me his hand. “Let’s prepare you for what’s to come.”
Without hesitation, I slid my fingers into his as I stood. “Yes. Let’s.” Nothing would stop me now.