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)
“What about it? That we can’t be seen together until I’m Gloombane’s Dark Companion?” I try to make myself sound casual, because as frustrating as that thought is, I’ve been adjusting to it. Maybe there’s even a bit of excitement to sneaking around and our romance being illicit. For once it wouldn’t be because we are both men, which somehow makes it much less frustrating.
“We can’t, but… the thing is, we’re not going to the castle.”
I stall, falling forward when Lady barks, going after a small insect that just flew up from the moss. “No? Then where?” I ask, my chest suddenly tightening, because what if Tristan realized that taking me to this realm has been a mistake? What if he needs to take me right back to the apartment I share with Viola?
He groans and rubs his face. “I got a message that the captain wants to host you at his tower until the ceremony. I know that’s… frustrating, but it will only be three weeks. I’m guessing he wants to get to know you better without distractions. At least you’ll get to learn a lot about shadowcraft.”
I deflate and crouch next to Lady, who looks back at me, asking for attention. It will be much, much harder to continue my thing with Tristan under such conditions, but I suppose it can’t be helped. “We’ll be careful.”
“I’m not invited.”
My head’s empty when I frown. “What?”
I breathe slowly, trying to calm my racing heart, but Tristan’s looking at the ground, lips tight.
He’s serious.
“But… I don’t know him,” I stutter.
“That’s why he must want you there. He’s not interested in men, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
That is… a relief, because having to avoid a man’s attentions while being stuck in his house for almost a month is the definition of a nightmare. “And you knew this since when? That message you read when we crossed into the Nightmare Realm,” I say sharply and look away when Lady scoots down to do her business.
I can’t believe this is the way I’m finding out.
Tristan finally meets my gaze. “I didn’t want to spoil our evening.”
The contents of my skull are cooking, but I won’t follow my baser instincts and raise my voice, because we’re here with a baby, and she’s not at fault. “You mean, you worried you wouldn’t get in my pants so easily if I knew.” I’m beginning to question everything he told me last night.
Tristan raises his eyebrows. “Nate. You wanted me in your pants.”
“So? I might have wanted it a bit less if I knew you were lying to me!” I hate that Lady looks up at me in alarm, but I can’t help the emotions rattling in me.
“I’m sorry. Maybe my judgement was clouded by wanting to make you happy.”
I roll my eyes, because this is typical. I always get emotionally invested in relationships too fast, only to have my heart broken. Why would I assume this time would be any different? “Do I look happy now?”
He spreads his arms. “Would it have really been that much better to know sooner?”
I shoot up, hoping I can keep my dignity by not breaking down over this. “Yes. I want the truth, not empty promises.”
“The promises aren’t empty! You will come to the castle for the ceremony in three weeks. We will reunite. I will be free to pursue you. Do you not know I hate this too?”
I stumble to the side when Lady pulls on the leash, but I stand my ground and meet Tristan’s gaze despite the turmoil inside me. “Why can’t you stay? Maybe if I asked him—”
“He won’t allow it.” Tristan takes a deep breath, wrapping his fingers on his nape, and I hate how even now I have to admit he’s pretty as a picture. “I will ask anyway.”
I nod, fiddling with the leash in my hand as the breeze howls somewhere above, bringing with it the scent of smoke. “I don’t think he really wants me there anyway. He told you to throw me back into the river.”
“He was tired, it was a long night for us—”
“Are you really making excuses for him?”
Tristan bites his lip and focuses on Lady instead of me. “A Dark Companion is extremely important to a shadow wielder who wishes to enhance their power. You are very valuable to him.”
About as valuable as that last piece of bread left in the packet, when one is too tired to go shopping for more.
I exhale. “And yet he didn’t even bother to fetch me himself.”
“He doesn’t appreciate the human realm the way I do. But I guess that’s just another excuse. I admit it, I’ve got no love for him. But he’s the one whose shadow is bound to yours, and so we have to bear it. Believe me when I say that given the chance now, I would have just tied your shadow to mine, consequences be damned.”