Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 137226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Fuck. Definitely in over my head. That’s not unusual for me—I always leap before I look—but I’ve never felt so infatuated with anyone before. While I’ve garnered a reputation for loving them and leaving them, I’ve always wanted to feel that heady rush of obsession. I wanted something more. I just never found it with anyone before Brynla came into my life. It’s like I have tunnel vision and all my focus is sharp and narrowed precisely on her. The rest of the world, the rest of my problems, the very problems that brought her into my life, have faded away. If I could spend the remainder of my days in bed with her, than I would die a happy man.
But nature calls.
I shift beside her and she stirs, letting out a low moan that goes straight to my half-hard cock. Damn, she makes it hard to leave.
“What time is it?” she murmurs in a sleepy voice, her eyes half-closed as she raises her head enough to look at me over her shoulder. I meet her gaze and my heart jolts in my chest.
Calm down, Andor.
I place a kiss on that bare, tempting shoulder, my lips lingering on her soft skin, relishing the taste. “I have no idea,” I admit softly, my eyes closing briefly.
“I think I got used to all the daylight in Norland,” she says with a yawn. “I could sleep for days.”
“Go back to bed, no need to get up,” I tell her, pulling away slowly.
She gives me a sleepy smile before her eyes flutter closed and she lays her head back down. Somehow this makes it harder to leave her.
I get up and survey the dim bedroom, wondering what the time is. We were fucking like there was no end for what felt like the whole night and my body seems to think it’s morning, but without any natural light this far underground, it’s hard to tell.
The rest of the abode is quiet as I make my way to the latrine, though by the time I’m finishing up, I hear the snuffle of Lemi’s muzzle on the other side of the door.
I open it to find the giant dog crouched down, wanting to play. Before I can pet him he bounds off down the hall and disappears into thin air. I then hear Ellestra laugh from the kitchen where he’s obviously reappeared.
The smile fades from my face and I let out a long breath. I suppose this morning is as good a time as any to try to win over Brynla’s aunt. If we’re going to stick to our plan, then she has to understand that we’re all leaving today and heading back to the ship. Not just for Brynla’s own good, but for Ellestra’s as well.
I make my way to the kitchen, pausing in the doorway to assess the scene. Ellestra is over the stove, stirring something in a pot, as the kettle beside her whistles gently. She takes it off the fire and without looking up says, “Are you just going to stand there and stare, or do you have something to say?”
I offer her a smile she doesn’t notice. “I’m known to blurt out the first thing on my mind. I don’t think I’d get very far with you if I didn’t take my time and choose the right words to say.”
She chuckles lightly at that, which I take as a prize. “That’s where you’re wrong. I don’t want carefully selected platitudes. I want the truth. So give me the truth, Andor Kolbeck, as blunt as you’ll throw it.” She looks up at me, her gaze intense as she meets mine. “What are your plans for my niece? Other than what you were doing throughout the night.”
I ignore that last part. Should have figured that sound travels well down here.
“We need Brynla,” I inform her as I take a seat. “And she needs to work for someone better than House Dalgaard.”
She gives me a twisted smile and leans back against the counter, her arms folded over her long beige linen robe. “Remind me again why House Kolbeck is so special?”
“Because we’re not monsters, despite your view of the houses and the other realms. Because she can really thrive in Norland. As can you.”
She shakes her head, breaking eye contact. “All I have to go on is your word. I can’t take your word for it or I would be a fool. And I can’t take Brynla’s because she’s been compromised by you…in more ways than one.”
I don’t need to infer her meaning.
“Then you at least have to understand that she can’t stay here. For her own safety. If Sjef Ruunon finds out that she’s been with me…”
“And whose fault would that be?” she snaps at me, eyes blazing. “You put Brynla in this position by taking her and using her for the gains of your house. If she’s leaving, it’s all because of you!”