Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 110080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
“Tell me.” Please. “Put me out of my misery.”
“Nope. Sorry. Too many prying ears. I don’t want anyone taking measures to stop me.”
“Someone is already taking measures to stop you. Erebus and his Blade of Destiny.”
“Not with this. Just...trust me. Okay? Let me make a grand gesture to win your affections. It’s my turn.”
“You already made a grand gesture and own all my affections. There’s nothing left for anyone else, I promise you.” Trusting had never come easy for him. Took years for the Astra to demolish his defenses. But this was his Lyla. The gravita he loved. The female who’d chosen him. “But,” he said. “Yes, I will trust you with my most valuable possession.”
Her most sensual, calculated smile bloomed, and he drew in a deep breath. “Oh, I’m your possession, am I?” Her voice dropped to a throaty purr. “I guess I’m okay with that because you are mine.”
How he loved when she staked her claim.
“I want you, Roux.”
The soft statement nearly set his cells on fire. “After everything that’s happened...everything that’s going to happen...are you sure?” He refused to take advantage of her while she was at her most vulnerable.
“Babe, I’ve gone hours without your stardust,” she said, kissing the hollow of his neck. Then she dragged a claw tip down the center of his shirt, slicing the garment in two. The sides gaped open, and she swooped down to lick his skin. “Do you want me, too?”
“More than I’ve ever wanted anything,” he rasped, his palms burning. Already stardust was rising, ready to paint her soft flesh.
“Then take me. I’m yours. Now and forever.”
“Now and forever.” He wasted no more time. He clasped her nape and claimed her lips with his own.
Their tongues thrust together, already frenzied. He shredded her clothes, and rolled her to her back, pinning her to the mattress with his weight. But he didn’t take her right away. Though he was half-mad with desire for her, he lifted his head and met her glittering gaze.
“I have a fantasy.” He rubbed the tip of his nose against hers.
“Oh, yeah?” Grinning, she reached around to grip his backside. “Tell me. Maybe I’ll do it...”
“You are the fantasy.”
A delighted laugh bubbled from her. Then she folded her hands behind her head, getting more comfortable beneath him. “Well, then. Do this fantasy right. She’s ready.”
He snorted. This. This was the life he’d never known he wanted. Never known he’d needed. Playful and fun. Passionate and intense.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, and she lost her grin fast.
“What!” Out came the scowl. “You’re leaving me right now? Is this how you plan to make me scream from a distance?”
With a grin of his own, he flashed away, then returned a few minutes later with a sack full of chocolate truffles. Treats he dumped all over her. “I’m told you have a sweet tooth.”
“You’re forgiven.” As she gobbled up one, then another, he stripped.
Naked, he crawled over her and tasted the chocolate on her lips.
She chased his mouth for more, and he gave it.
“I will give you a good life, Lyla.” He fed her the words between kisses. “Sometimes I will frustrate and anger you, but I will never not love you.”
Gasping, she cupped his cheeks. Soft and vulnerable, she held his face inches above hers and searched his gaze. “You love me?”
The truth slipped out. “She-beast, I live for you.” My life raft. Never letting go.
* * *
Over the next few days, Blythe spent time with both Roux and Isla. Sometimes one on one. Sometimes together. The little girl still knew nothing about her father, and she never would.
After Blythe explained to the child how many times the Astra had helped save her life, Isla had begun to soften toward him. A wonderful start to something special.
When the final morning of the blessing task dawned bright and early, Blythe slipped from bed, leaving a sleeping Roux behind. A difficult thing to do, to be sure. He looked so peaceful. So beautiful. So mine. Making him smile had become her new favorite activity.
Heart clenching, she flashed to No Man’s Land. Only the General was present, all other harpies forbidden from entering today.
Taliyah had dressed for war but wrung her fingers and chewed on her bottom lip. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“I am. And don’t forget we have Neeka’s blessing.” Blythe had indeed deciphered the oracle’s cryptic message, and the genius of it still left her breathless. So did the danger of it. But for Roux, she would do anything. With one act, she could prove how much he meant to her, save the Astra from the curse, and screw over her father. If her plan succeeded, of course. And it would. It must. “Did you bring what I asked for?”
Taliyah held up an ice chest. “I did. And you’re sure Erebus hasn’t foreseen this?”