Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 120029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Or do I?
Because what if it changes things? What if my skin stops pulsing in anticipation whenever Tristan’s close? “He saved Kyran? I was only told about him… not saving the other Lord, who ruled before your husband.”
Luke scoffs. “Prince Kyranis was a rake and an asshole who deserved what happened to him. But yes, Tristan put himself between my Lord and an assassin’s arrow. He almost died from the poison. It was extremely brave on his part, and he will always have my gratitude. Though I also think he loves to be the hero, so if he wants to? Let him. Nothing wrong with getting pampered and courted by an elven prince.” He winks at me. “And I know Tristan. If he’s so smitten by you already, it won’t change once you’re his Dark Companion.”
Having to lie to everyone about where Tristan and I stand on the shadow bond is such an unpleasant weight, but dark thoughts disperse the moment I spot a bat as white as snow. I immediately know he’s the one Luke is worried about, because its fur appears patchy, eyes dull, and I notice how thin he is despite the wings wrapped around its body like a cape.
“Oh, he definitely is unwell,” I say, cocking my head, watching the sleeping animal. “Have you noticed any growths on its body?”
“No, but he’s not happy for me to come near, and always tries to retreat to the darkest part of the cage. He’s a Frost bat. They’re supposed to love the moon, just like the mice I told you about, because it’s cold where he’s from. And they mostly feed on oils and fatty meat, but he’s not touched any. How do you feel about going in? I’ve got gloves for handling him, and he’s not been aggressive." There’s so much hope in Luke’s eyes, I can see he’s a true animal lover.
“Of course. Do they carry any diseases I should worry about?” I ask, but as I wait for Luke’s answer, the bat blinks, and I spot a sliver of bright red under the eyelid. I cock my head. In the human world, red eyes would be normally associated with albinism, but this isn’t necessarily the case in the Nightmare Realm. Even the cows have eyes like stoplights.
Luke hands me a long garment reminiscent of a surgical gown, then a mask to protect my face, then finally helps me pull on the thick gloves. I help him to get into a similar outfit, and I’m glad that most of the nobles don’t seem interested in the zoological exhibition, because we both look like goth beekeepers.
The bat peeks at us again when we enter, but it remains still as we close the cage door behind us and drift toward it. Its paws are blue, which might be normal for this species but might also signal severe deficiencies. I’m so out of my depth it’s annoying. I want to know more about all these strange animals.
“Hello, what is your name?” I ask, advancing very slowly to avoid spooking the poor creature.
It hisses at me, showing off very sharp teeth with two long, prominent fangs.
“I called him Snowflake, because he’s so fussy and has the white fur.” Luke laughs but then trips and falls over before I can catch him. I guess the alcohol has gotten to him. “Fuck, not my jacket,” he groans and assesses the rip in his sleeve, while I’m more worried about the blood dripping out of it.
Snowflake, who so far has been a grumpy little guy hiding in the shadows, perks up instantly, and the long ears that have laid flat, now stand tall. He screeches, eyes wide, and lets go of the branch he’s been hanging from to drop to the ground.
I barely restrain myself from catching him, but he starts crawling toward Luke almost immediately, despite this new position revealing his emaciated form. And yet despite being very weak, he is willing to spend precious energy on movement.
And the cause was blood.
“He’s a different species, Luke,” I say, following the animal, in case it needs to be restrained. Tristan might be willing to offer an arm for me, but Lord Kyran would not react kindly if his husband got hurt any further on my watch. “You said you identified him by fur color. What if it was different?”
I scoot next to Luke, but I’m not sure what I’d do if this creature decided to rip my face off with the sharp teeth and tiny claws. I get an unpleasant, sinking feeling in my stomach as I watch Snowflake desperately lick the blood in the dirt, making the saddest whimpers. His ribs are as prominent as mine were after my time in the dungeon, and suddenly all I want to do is hug the little thing, and feed it blood, even if it’s my own.