Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115347 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115347 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
He would act the fool, that was what, trusting her not to betray him. In this dream world without tribulations, she wouldn’t be disgusted by his scarred skin—proof of a weakness he despised. He would be able to envision a future with the female he had dreamed of most of his life. A sleeping beauty who sought his strength and warmth with eager delight each night. They could be friends. Hadn’t she suggested such an outcome? Perhaps they could be...more.
No perhaps. They could. This was a dream world, after all. One day, he could have a family, a home, as he still craved with the whole of his being. Something his kingdom had never been for him, though he’d wished otherwise.
The admission cut deep but with no falsehoods to impede him; he had no defenses against such an astounding truth.
“Micah,” Norok began.
Did he sense Micah’s own softening? “We’ll talk later. Do not forget the order.” He relocated to another room in the tunnels, a place Norok had not visited, guaranteeing the male couldn’t talk him out of the celebration.
Only Micah had entered this hallowed space. His treasure room, filled with things he’d hoped to gift to his wife, if ever he married. Special things. Gold coins and bars. Trinkets. Goblets. Gowns. Shoes. Weapons. Enchanted objects. Books.
He selected a garment for Red and returned to the tent...where he discovered her draped in a silken nightgown, lounging across the pallet of furs, a vision—a fantasy come to life.
“There you are.” She smiled as he fought to breathe, then patted the spot beside her. “I missed you. Come to bed.”
She’d missed him? Him.
He stepped toward her. Stopped. Curled his hands into fists. Did she know what she asked of him? If he neared her, he might lose control. “Sleep,” he said, placing the gown behind the screen.
“With you, yes?” The high-pitched question signified...what?
“No.” Even the idea of settling into bed and doing nothing but holding her acted as an arrow to his gut. Don’t look at her. Don’t—He looked and almost roared. She exuded disappointment.
Disappointment. Because she wanted to be in his arms.
“I’ll be nearby,” he croaked.
“But—”
As his resistance to her teetered on the brink of collapse, he flittered outside and dismissed the guards.
He stood there for hours, without relief. He yearned to return, but didn’t give in to the urge until a series of pained groans registered.
Micah palmed a dagger as he flittered to the bed. He geared to strike whoever dared to harm—She is alone? For the first time, Vee wasn’t resting calmly. Mumbling pleas for help, she thrashed atop the furs. His chest clenched, and he dropped the weapon. Resistance? He had none. He tucked himself under the covers and drew her close. She sagged against him as he murmured assurances.
“I’m here,” he cooed at her. Strangely, his lusts didn’t overtake him. They were no match for his protective instincts. “Everything will be all right. I’ll keep you safe tonight.” Every night.
He clutched her tight, never allowing himself to drift off. She didn’t stir until morning light filled the dwelling.
“Micah?” she asked drowsily, as tempting as she was vulnerable. “Couldn’t stay away, hmm?”
The protective instincts slipped into the background, his deepest lusts attacking with a vengeance. Make her scream your name.
He rapid-blinked dry, tired eyes, then climbed from the bed. Sweat beaded on his brow, the calm exterior he strove to preserve beginning to crack. How much longer could he stop himself from seizing what he craved more than breath?
“We have somewhere to be. Dress. Behind the screen,” he added as she reached to remove the nightgown in front of him. How much longer would he have the strength to avert his attention?
“Have you always been such a prude?” Red claimed the dagger he’d given her, yanking it from beneath a pillow. She went nowhere without that weapon. “You can look at me, you know.”
“My sensibilities aren’t the reason you should obey me right now,” he grumbled.
A hint of intrigue glittered in her eyes, nearly felling him. “Well. Isn’t that interesting?” Grinning as if she knew her effect on him, she tromped behind the screen to don the new gown he’d provided for her.
As fabric rustled and beads clinked, she oohed and aahed over the garment. His anticipation to see her magnified.
He hurried to wash up and change into the clothes he’d selected for himself. A tailored black tunic, slightly worn black leathers and freshly polished boots. Lastly, he brushed his teeth and combed his hair. Still, she did not emerge. Did she purposely make him wait to torment him?
“You should be nice to me today, Red.”
“Aren’t I always nice to you, Majesty?”
“Only when compared with your treatment of everyone else.” Still as much a shock as her frequent stare.
“So, despite the great honor I pay you, you waste precious seconds complaining?” She tsk-tsked. “What’s so special about today, anyway?”