Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71403 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71403 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
“Say já. If you say nei, I’ll be forced to go a different route.”
Oh, he would, would he? “If there’s another pretend consort in waiting, then please go a different route.”
His eyes slitted. “Say já,” he repeated, forcing the words through half-clenched teeth. “Please. I wish to do this with you. Only you.”
That was better. But it meant I had a decision to make. Risk everything in five days or leave with nothing in three years?
At least if I did it, I’d get to spend more time with him. Learn more about this mysterious, contradictory man and what he meant–or didn’t mean–to my future. And maybe, just maybe, make sure no other woman had to grieve like I’d seen earlier tonight.
Beyond the window, more of Krakenströnd unfolded beneath a ceiling of dark water. Sand-colored buildings curved the road, gardens of waving sea grass lined the walkways.
A pair of children raced beside one of the canals while their mother called after them.
Five days.
These people had five days, or they’d end up like the family on the beach.
I sighed and gave him the only answer I could, like the brave romance heroines I loved. “I accept your bargain.” I extended my hand, ready to shake on it.
He took my hand, but he didn’t shake it. Nein, he turned it over and studied my palm. Just as my pulse spiked, he traced the pad of his thumb down the center. The caress was soft but the electric current it sparked proved devastating, and I swallowed my gasp.
He noticed, because of course he did, and gave me another of his almost smiles.
The car pulled up in front of the palace, but he didn’t release me yet. “Now that that’s settled, you can return to your room to overthink all that we’ve discussed.”
He wasn’t wrong about that. I intended to dissect everything down to the punctuation.
“Just one more thing before you go,” he added, squeezing my fingers.
I shook my head. “Nein, nein, nein. You can’t add new conditions now that we’ve reached an agreement.”
“This is a reminder of a previous condition.” His gaze held mine. “Our deal. Our secret. No exceptions. As promised, what we do will not affect the dragons in Ashmorra. You may tell your sisters nothing.”
Tilting my head, I gazed up at him. “I already gave you my word on that. The reminder is insulting.”
He blinked, surprised. “You’re right. My apologies.” His thumb found my wrist again, rousing another almost gasp. “Tomorrow you’ll move into the suite connected to mine. Then the real work begins.”
My heart blipped. “You said nothing about rooming together.” And that was what we’d be, with connecting chambers. Roommates.
Those shifting eyes softened with amusement. “What is it you think a man does with his consort, Brona?” He brought my hand to his mouth and pressed a soft kiss against my knuckles. “Be ready tomorrow morning. We introduce our budding relationship to my people and get you used to my touch.”
Chapter
Five
The touch of a kraken always has an intent.
–An Incomplete Guide to Kraken Survival
Four Days Until Convergence
Sleep refused me.
I lay beneath cool sheets, staring at the painted ceiling, listening to the faint hum of the dome, hoping to detect a whisper. But nein. I heard only the distant churn of the sea beyond it.
Every time I came close to falling, his voice dragged me back into that car, my hand in Sebastian’s.
We introduce our budding relationship to my people… and get you used to my touch.
Used to. As if the coming touches would be so carnal, so life-changing, I must first become acclimated to them. Or so my traitorous imagination insisted. Something low in my belly pulled tight, and I kicked off the sheets.
But honestly, even without contact, I had noticed the pull of his presence. The way my skin electrified when he looked at me too long. How my pulse raced, and my cells fizzed.
Even now, my heart declined an invitation to calm down. In a matter of hours, I was supposed to move into a room connected to his. We would be as good as living together.
By the time dawn arrived—known here as crest—spilling bits of light into the chamber, I gave up on sleep entirely. I climbed from the bed and practiced pointing my toes.
Two hours later, a hard double rap sounded on my door soon after. Freyja, right on time at shimmer, exactly as promised. I braced and called, “You may enter.”
“Excellent, you’re up,” she said as she swept inside. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll escort you to your new room. The staff spent the night preparing.”
I tried to decipher her opinion about my latest sleeping arrangement with her king, but I got nothing. Same precise manner. Same clipboard in hand.
Fighting for composure, I smoothed the nightclothes provided for me. A soft white tunic and loose linen pants. Then I slid my feet into plush slippers I very much enjoyed.