Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 128087 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128087 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Ambriel’s translucent, amber skin flushed a ruddy orange around her high cheekbones. Boraleashe opened his palm and rotated it in a tight circle, the temperature in the store dropping several degrees. The streams of cool air crackled like broken ice around them. The skin of Boraleashe’s hand was blinding white as a small ice figurine began to form in the center of his palm.
Theodor sucked in a startled breath while Ambriel stood frozen in place, her eyes wide and fixed on the forming ice sculpture. Theodor was amazed at this ability because Boraleashe’s hand had to be at subzero temperatures to be able to form a block of solid ice.
“A token of appreciation for your hospitality, lady.” Boraleashe placed the glistening ice petals in Ambriel’s trembling hands.
“It’s a magnolia leaf,” she huffed, clutching it to her chest. “I have not the words to express my gratitude, my lord. I am overwhelmed.”
Boraleashe’s posture was rigid, his face a stony mask. But his eyes revealed the truth. Theodor met and held Boraleashe’s gaze, controlling it. He pulled a subtle gust of warm afternoon wind and used it to nudge Ambriel toward her back door so they could be alone. She hurried out of the room, giggling like an adolescent pixie.
“This is one of my favorite shops.” Theodor picked a couple of pieces of lychee from a jar and popped one between his lips. Boraleashe’s cold gaze was on his mouth, so Theodor chewed slowly, closing his eyes and moaning at the sweetness of the rare fruit.
Boraleashe
Boraleashe licked his dry lips while he watched Theodor eat a bright red piece of fruit like it was giving him an orgasm. Boraleashe strained to keep all expressions off his face, but he couldn’t help how much those salacious moans were affecting him inside.
A bulge of anxiety started in the pit of his stomach and climbed upward until it was threatening to suffocate him. Reality’s cold grip was wrapping its fist around his throat.
Theodor was too breathtaking, far too magnificent and magical to be dragged down by Boraleashe’s troubles. But by the gods, those perfect lips were sinful, and Boraleashe found himself jealous of a damn piece of fruit.
“Is it really that good?” he grumbled after Theodor licked the sticky juice from his fingertips. For the love of all that is sacred and good. Boraleashe groaned. He didn’t know how long he was going to stand there and torture himself.
“Mmmm. It is,” Theodor teased, eating another piece, his jewellike eyes dancing with humor.
Fuck me.
“Why don’t you give it a try and judge for yourself?” Theodor challenged, his voice a husky purr. “It’s called love lychee. Ambriel is the only one that grows them besides my father and Dustin since he’s of the Harvest Moon tribe.”
Boraleashe frowned because that was his go-to expression for almost everything. What kind of name was that for a piece of fruit? However, he had to admit even to himself that he was curious. Since the Arctic World didn’t get much sunlight anymore, Boraleashe didn’t have access to such a wide variety of bright fruits and vegetables.
“Here.” Theodor picked up another piece and, to Boraleashe’s shock, placed it against his lips. Theodor inched closer, bringing his incredible body heat along with him.
Boraleashe was left with no choice but to open or let the fruit sit there against his lips. He chewed stoically while staring Theodor in his eyes. Sweet, sugary juice ran down his throat, the soft berry dissolving on his tongue. It tasted heavenly, but Boraleashe held his delight tightly within his grasp. If only he could bring bushels of this back home because his people deserved delicacies this fine too.
A wave of frigid pain flooded his chest, the piercing ache making it hard to inhale. His curse. He knew the feelings would come—guilt and shame—when he tried to allow his core to open. The moment he began to experience an act of kindness, admiration… love, the Snow Moon Demon would turn it into something ugly and painful. Boraleashe had always been a rather stoic man but never so despicable that his own court avoided him.
“That ice sculpture was a neat trick,” Theodor complimented, yanking him from his solemn thoughts.
“We all have our tricks, don’t we, lord?” Boraleashe muttered.
“Do you think I’m going to trick you?” Theodor stood close. Boraleashe wanted desperately to lean forward and trust everything Theodor was showing him, but a thousand years of solitude had turned him into a surly bastard.
Boraleashe was freezing on the inside, but he never shivered. Theodor somehow sensed his discomfort and wrapped his long, emerald robe around his body and pulled him closer.
Boraleashe moaned, he was wrapped so tight, leaving no room for the cold. Theodor’s presence and his warmth were so overwhelming it stole his breath away.
“I won’t hurt you, Boraleashe.” Theodor made his robe pull tighter.