Total pages in book: 208
Estimated words: 209645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1048(@200wpm)___ 839(@250wpm)___ 699(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 209645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1048(@200wpm)___ 839(@250wpm)___ 699(@300wpm)
It was their first true kiss.
His tongue was as assertive as the way he used his cock.
He broke the kiss and scowled into Tedrey’s face. “You take him, you think of me.”
“It would be impossible not to,” Tedrey muttered dazedly.
“It best be, for when you come back to me…when, Teddy,” he stressed, “and I have even the barest suspicion it was not, I’m binding your cock and balls and playing with you for a week with no release.”
“Well, if the kiss didn’t work, which it did,” he quickly assured at the flash in Faunus’s eyes, “that will.”
Faunus continued scowling at him until he bent, bit Tedrey’s lower lip until he tasted blood, yanked his head to the side and bit his neck so hard Tedrey knew he broke the skin (and he liked both), then he released him and prowled way.
“He calls you Teddy?” Nyx asked. “Oh, mio piccolo buco, much must have happened tonight. Come. I’ll get wine. You must share it all.”
“I’m not sure he’s il tuo buco anymore, mia gazella,” Lorenz remarked.
“Oh, poo,” Nyx scoffed, moving toward Tedrey. She stopped at him, slapped him lightly on the cheek and asked softly, “You’ll always be mine, won’t you, caro?”
“I will always be yours, Nyx,” he replied, just as softly. “Always.”
Her eyes brightened with wet, but she looked away quickly and moved away the same, murmuring, “I shall get the wine.”
Tedrey turned back to Lorenz.
He had his arms crossed on his chest and his eyes locked to Tedrey.
“Maybe I’ll be significant yet,” Tedrey whispered and watched Lorenz’s handsome face gentle.
“You already were, but if you need this to understand that’s true, amico, then you must do it,” Lorenz replied.
“Do you trust me?” Tedrey asked.
With no hesitation, Lorenz answered, “Yes.”
Tedrey pressed his lips together.
These people had given him a lot since they’d saved him from The Rising.
But that was the most precious of all.
“Promise, standing in my home, looking right into my face, if you ever feel in danger, you will come to me immediately,” Lorenz demanded.
“I will…amico,” he agreed.
Tedrey then smiled.
His eyes full of disquiet, Lorenz did not smile back.
Instead, he murmured, “Come, I have a feeling there is much you wish to share with me.”
Tedrey went to his friend.
For he was right.
74
The New Advisor
Queen Mercy
The Queen’s Solar, Birchlire Castle, Notting Thicket
WODELL
Mercy was standing at the window, looking down from the great height of her solar at Notting Thicket.
She had traveled widely with her husband, but Melisse had been correct those many weeks ago.
Her city was the most beautiful of all.
By far.
The Great Wohd River and the delicate River Fae meeting under that very castle—a grand, turreted bridge spanning the junction—was the magnificent focal point to a rich abundance of charm and even whimsy.
The expansive, regal castle rising upon its hill in the center of the capital was the heart. Its many high spires and towers reaching to the skies. Its arched windows, carved stone, bold balconies, regal entries and elegant fancies, all of which climbed high and spread wide, was in and of itself something out of a fantasy.
Then there was the city with its cobbled streets, mellow-stoned buildings and moss-covered tiled roofs spread out over gently rolling rises or hugging the shores of the rivers.
And beyond that, spreading as far as the eye could see, vast forests now in a riot of autumn color mixed with fields of brilliant green and cut by the calmly flowing rivers that ran through the city.
It was, all of it, every inch, not just the Thicket, but all of it—from the cliffs at the Seil Sea to the north, to the border with Firenze in the south, to the beaches of the Triton Sea to the west, to the border with Airen to the east— property of the king. And it had been, by royal edict, after centuries ago, Wilmer’s many-times great grandfather battled his two brothers and two cousins in the Quinate War.
And won.
Now, it would be her son’s.
“My queen.”
She turned at the deep voice and saw Bram at the door with Wallace.
Her son’s lieutenants were all nearly as handsome as True.
Bram was tall, quite muscular and dark-headed.
Wallace had dark blond hair, was shorter, stockier, but no less appealing of visage.
If she could have hand selected her son’s men, she would have.
True would never allow that.
However, in the end, it didn’t matter.
She would have selected the men he had.
In fact, she had considered these very choices indication that not only had she taught him well, he had learned well.
Although, Wallace seemed a little bedraggled at the present.
Then again, he’d been traveling.
“Come,” she invited.
They moved in and her gaze remained fixed on Wallace as they did.
He bowed when he arrived, straightened and announced, “I rode ahead to share the news in order that you could be prepared. True, Farah and their party are an hour out of the Thicket.”