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)
“Hello, sweetness,” he calls, his voice as powerful as thunder and yet as gentle as summer rain. He appears carved from magic and stone as he unveils a smile known to make even the bravest of souls falter, for he is Astan, the land’s former king, defeated long ago by Rose’s beloved husband, Tsuri.
She is not afraid. Tsuri warned her that this being would come. The dispossessed royal cannot harm her in any way unless she steps from their territory. “You shouldn’t be here. Nor should you use such an endearment with me,” she admonishes. “It’s improper.”
Astan steps closer to the border of Tsuri’s kingdom, his grin coy, mischievous. “You’re right.” Six golden stars light his irises. “I should wait until I’ve tasted you.”
A blush stains Rose’s cheeks, and her lips curve into a smile both smug and firm. “You never will.”
Astan’s grin deepens, but there’s something more in his eyes. A silent promise, a challenge . . . and an invitation. “Don’t be so sure. My determination is without equal.”
Though Rose stands resolute in her refusal, she cannot deny a hum of attraction between them. He is perfection personified.
“Stay there if you wish, but know I will be ignoring you from here on.” And so, as the sun sets on the realm of light and color, Rose continues to dance in the gardens, her song ever sweet, while Astan lingers, his desire for her blooming with fruit of its own. But her awareness of him never fades.
And so, the tale of Astan and his Briar Rose begins.
“Astan craves what belongs to Tsuri,” Domino said from beside me.
My fingers tightened on the volume, nearly tearing the pages as I recalled Cyrus’s use of the endearment “sweetness” the morning we’d kissed passionately in my cell.
“Read on,” Domino said, and once again, I obeyed, eager to learn more.
Though I quaked, I did it. A secret affair unfolded, Astan working to paint Tsuri as a monstrous husband in Rose’s eyes. When her husband warred with the other man, she fled and died. Though Tsuri poured his strength into her, bringing her back to life, she worked with Astan to destroy what remained of Tsuri. Soal meted vengeance, imprisoning Astan and those in his care.
Sympathy for Astan and his love stirred within me. He only wished to be with her.
“This is why Soal’s books are not allowed to leave the library. Astan infects everything he touches, and that infection works to distort history, making him the savior and Tsuri the monster. The reason Soalians who read this without an anchor can be ensnared.” The librarian patted my shoulder. “We must go.”
No, no. I needed to stay here. To read on and learn more. Maybe Tsuri was a monster. Why not let Rose go? She and Astan clearly loved each other and—
“Close the book, Arden.” The firmness of Domino’s tone penetrated my awareness. “Do it now.”
I obeyed, and the world vanished. Breathing deep, I took in my surroundings, grounding myself in the real world. Theirland. The room I shared with Cyrus. He hadn’t budged from the couch or ceased observing me. Although, he now glared.
My shallow, panting breaths carried me straight to confusion. “Why did you make me stop?”
“You had begun to welcome Astan’s whispers,” Domino said. “In this regard, he’s a grower like you, planting and watering his lies in the minds of vulnerable humans. Today, you sampled the smallest taste of his allures.”
I shifted in the chair and, with trembling hands, placed the book on the coffee table. Domino was right. I had allowed the god’s whispers. I’d been inside the Rock; Tsuri was no monster.
“We should eat breakfast and prepare for the day.” Cyrus stood and strode off.
“Breakfast?” I blurted. I’d been consumed with the book all night? I twisted to glance out the balcony window, and sure enough, morning light streamed into the room.
“He needs to visit the library and read his book,” Domino stated.
My brows drew together. “Do you know something we don’t?”
“Always.”
Frustrating librarian. Rather than press for clarification, I said, “Cyrus isn’t the same guy who turned you in. A mistake he made in ignorance. I did the same to my mother, and I have yet to shake the guilt.” I paused, giving my words a moment to sink in. “I trust you, Domino, with or without a bond. You are my friend, and I’m glad you’re in my life. But if you do anything to hurt him, even withhold information, I’ll go nuclear.”
“You should learn more about your opponent before you make such a threat,” he quipped. “I’m very good with bombs.” He flashed a small smile that rattled me to my core, then vanished like smoke in the wind.
Grumbling under my breath, I followed Cyrus’s trail. And I was proud of myself. I only cast a longing glance at the book on the coffee table twice before entering a small kitchenette, where the prince was in the process of preparing a feast of toasted sweet bread, fruit jams, and scrambled eggs. All delicacies for an average citizen like me, used to those tasteless nutrition bars. But I was more interested in the chef. He was so close, yet he felt so far away.