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)
“By the way. I found the jewels,” he said. “You’d hidden them inside your trees.”
“Those trinkets are mine!” she shouted, only to calm seconds later. “Why are you complaining about the past, anyway?” Hiking up a shoulder and lowering her head, she scratched her cheek. “That quote-unquote stronger man got to marry his favorite fantasy.”
His lips pulled back from his teeth. Of course, his malicious little kitten had gone there. “That man desired you. This one does not.” Because yes, he’d died yet again. A brute had replaced the king with aspirations of more.
“Ohhhh. What does this one long for then? Do tell. I can hardly stand not knowing.”
Her dry tone irritated him. He craved loyalty. Honesty. Smiles. Genuine affection. Sizzling passion. Nothing he could have.
In the end, he sighed, weary to the bone, and told her, “I seek someone worthy.”
She sputtered again, then lapsed into terse silence. A silence that continued on and on, until he hated that, too. When the sun began to set, he spotted the glint of light against water and foliage. But that was impossible. Nothing grew here, and anything liquid quickly evaporated. But even still, Micah thought he smelled a floral bouquet on every cool, damp breeze.
He spun Vee around and ducked, pressing his shoulder into her stomach and lifting her off her feet. Carrying her like a sack of cibus bulbs, he quickened his step. Rather than fight, she let her body drape his, bouncing against him. Tormenting him. Reminding him of the feast. Their wedding.
The wedding night they’d skipped.
Micah bit his tongue. This might have been a huge mistake. He didn’t think he would ever get used to the feel of her. To having those lush breasts smashing into his shoulder blades.
Lest she sniff out his enjoyment, he grated, “For someone who despises me as much as I despise her, you seem awfully comfortable in my arms.”
“Please! I’m tired and using you for your muscles,” she said, then yawned. “Don’t go thinking I’ve forgiven you or anything like that. Our truce will end once I’m rested.”
He wasn’t charmed by that. Not excited or anticipatory.
Spotting something odd up ahead, he slowed. Stopped. Gaped. Was that...?
Yes, it most certainly was. An oasis. Trees and bushes capped by colorful leaves abounded. Pink, violet and green. Yellow, purple and blue. Bark that appeared as soft as velvet. Flowers and fruit in every direction. Moss-covered stones circled a small, bubbling spring that trickled into a crystal clear lake, where more of the blue flowers floated over the surface.
He flittered closer, frowning when he noticed a scroll nailed to a tree. After setting his captive on her feet, he ensured she remained pressed against him, unable to strike as he read the parchment.
Yo, Micah.
Consider this a honeymoon suite as well as a taste of the possibilities. The kind of benefits package I offer each of my citizens. So go ahead. Stay awhile with my compliments. Enjoy your first legitimate wedding night. My seer tells me you could use the rest. And the release, if you know what I mean. (I’m wagging my brows at you.) I hear your new wife is going to keep you up for the coming nights, you lucky dog you. You’re welcome, by the way. You’ll find clean clothes and refreshments in a picnic basket near the water. No poison, I swear. As soon as you wise up and relinquish your crown, ceasing to divide my lands, I’ll make the Dusklands the most prosperous kingdom in all Astaria, the people the most joyous. Or kill you. The choice is yours.
Queen Cookie the Uncrumbled
He ripped the page from the trunk and shredded the words. Enjoy his first legitimate wedding night. She taunts me now.
His next inhalation felt like razors. What Cookie had offered masqueraded as the perfect outcome for everyone but Micah. Provision for all. A fact he could live with. But her offer wasn’t perfect anywhere but on the surface. Even the most bountiful of kingdoms couldn’t be enjoyed under the rule of a tyrant.
“What did the letter say?” Vee asked. “I, um, didn’t get a chance to read it.”
He popped his jaw. “Kaysar’s wife fears I’ll win our war. She seeks to make me desire you again, hoping to use you against me a second time.” Whether Vee was witting or unwitting. He wasn’t sure about her allegiance anymore. Her vehemence struck him as genuine. Though she’d tricked him before. “It won’t do the queen any good.”
“Are you sure?” Scarlet hair lifted in a soft, sweet breeze, curling in front of Vee’s smug face as she pressed herself against him. “Or is that a dagger hilt in your pants?”
Even though his cheeks heated, he met her gaze without hesitation and smiled coldly. “It’s a dagger hilt.”
“Show me,” she countered, far from intimidated or upset. She nipped his bottom lip. “If you dare...”