Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 192810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 964(@200wpm)___ 771(@250wpm)___ 643(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 192810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 964(@200wpm)___ 771(@250wpm)___ 643(@300wpm)
“And you’re sharing this because…?”
“Because, if there was an alliance between Night’s Fall and Dawn’s Break, both the realms at Sky’s Edge southern border would be of one mind, that being in support of Tanyn’s claim to the throne. And if this was the case, even Arnaud might hesitate to do something stupid when he lost in the courts.”
“Aren’t Night’s Fall and Dawn’s Break already allied in this notion?”
“We are, darling, but royal marriage is a bond that does not break. With Anna and I married, there would be more discussion between realms about votes in the Center. We wouldn’t be united, officially. But for the most part, there would be a united front. It is a subtle nuance of a shift, or in this case, consolidation of power. Subtle or not, it’s there, and Arnaud wouldn’t miss it.”
“And this brings me to the more difficult question. You agreed to marriage with Anna because of these terms?”
He shook his head, but said, “It was put to me, and I considered it along with the knowledge we shared history, we shared an understanding of each other and the lives we live, and we were friends and enjoyed each other’s company. She’s amusing, carefree. Before things turned sour, she was almost always in a good mood. This is nice to be around. Someone who could find the good in everything or bounce back from something shitty happening and do it quickly. She’s also beautiful. I was attracted to her before we became lovers.” He gave me a squeeze. “And I’ve since learned that sex can be transcendent, but she was an excellent lover.”
My beast trembled at that, and something else twisted, but he wasn’t my first, I knew I wasn’t his, I also knew we both understood on a primitive level we would be each other’s last, so I had to get over it.
“I’m sorry. That was abrupt,” he said low. “However, I’m putting this matter-of-factly, bissi, because I’m struggling here.”
He felt my response.
And I knew he was struggling.
This woman had been his lifelong friend. I couldn’t imagine Catla ever turning on me. Not ever.
I cuddled closer to him and urged, “Go on. And say it however you have to in order to get it out.”
He nodded, sipped his drink and returned his attention to the fire.
“I was also of an age where it was time to marry, and she seemed a good match. But I can’t deny that the political alliance didn’t hold some sway. We’ve had an unprecedented period of peace. The only time this lasted longer was the Great Peace that began nearly eight hundred years ago. I’ve only experienced war in simulations at Red Lair. Even if those were only simulations, they were far from fun. The biggest lesson they taught me is that war is to be avoided at all costs. But the bottom line is, I’m True Heir, and it’s my destiny to do what’s right for Night’s Fall.”
“Of course.”
“However, the more time I spent with her, the more it became clear that Anna is an elitist, like her mother. Since our break, I’ve come to suspect that Anna, or her mother, were behind my mother discovering our affair. They did this with the purpose of making it more than an affair, because Anna has few choices for a husband who matches her in status. Arnaud is out, he’s a pervert, but even if he wasn’t, he’s a pretender. Tanyn has always disliked Anna. He’s a broody, intense male who was deeply affected by his father’s desertion of his mother, and the subsequent stripping of their status, which meant life changed for them greatly. Even so, he’s highly intelligent, and I should have read his aversion to her as what it was. And Prince Cormac of Land’s End is a throwback. He’s more male than any male I’ve met. No chance Anna could lead him around by his dick.”
“And she thought she could do that to you?” I asked in shock.
He turned to me. “When we spoke of her before, I mentioned the long con. Part of what I’m struggling with is she’s given me reason to believe that even our decades of friendship were something she cultivated for the ultimate end of marrying me.”
I gasped. “That’s diabolical.”
“So is sending assassins to murder the creature of a male’s true mate.”
Very true.
“Thus, you think she’s behind it,” I deduced.
“It was messy, ending things with her. However, once I explained the situation to Mom and Dad, they understood why I made it. Flurries of every form of diplomacy were dispatched, and things were smoothed over. Most of the mess was because Anna was livid. Without me on her leash, she’ll have to turn to the Six Realms, Three Realms or Seven Realms to find what she considers an appropriate match, and she’d have to move there, for her husband would one day be king. It also might mean her husband would be a vampire, and she would not do well with her days turning to nights.”