Total pages in book: 197
Estimated words: 186911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 186911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
“That was?”
She nodded. “For all Bradach’s joking, flirting, teasing, and tumbling—he’s the most closed-off man I’ve ever met. Even more so than Lord Lumenfell.”
Now that was a real shock.
“No one knows a thing about his life before Wind and Wild. The man is a vault of secrets.”
I fiddled with my bracelet, chewing my lip. Should I try to talk to Bradach? Tell him that Alisdair told me the truth about his history with Constance, and all that led him to where he is today? Would that make Bradach feel more comfortable doing the same?
“Where are the utensils?” Aeris squawked. “We will have a neat, civilized wedding feast tonight, or none of you will eat!”
Sighing, I let it go. That wasn’t my place. Alisdair opened up to the woman he loved and trusted. When Bradach was ready, he would do the same.
“I can’t believe the ball is tonight.” Eadaoin jumped up and down, clapping and squealing. “We’ve never had a ball here, Lady Ana. Never. I’m so excited to wear a beautiful, flowing gown and spend all night dancing with Keefe.
“You really have brought hope back to these lands again.”
I followed her gaze out the window. The snow had been melting all week. That morning, I put on my shawl and had my coat sent back to the wardrobe. It was too hot for it.
I didn’t know what to think seeing the melting snow. There’d been celebrations in the village every day and every night—rejoicing the coming end of the beast curse, and my alnihaya. But how had we lifted the beast curse? Assuming it was even something Alisdair and I did.
I still didn’t know how the curse came to be, or where his heart was. Due to the silence that ensnared every cursed tongue, that was no surprise, but it did make me wonder. Did Alisdair do what Meallan claimed? Did he rescue his heart from its hiding place, and begin the process of destroying it, so that he could love me fully? Was that his choice—to reign as a strong, all-powerful beast, or love as a regular man?
And he chose me.
The doors opened and I turned—the smile already on my lips. I didn’t have to see to know it was my Alisdair.
He walked inside wearing loose linen breeches, and a shirt unbuttoned to the waist. My heart picked up speed soaking him in. He was all mine. No matter how many times I told myself that, pinching myself barely made me believe it.
“It’s coming together nicely.” He came over and dropped a kiss on my forehead. “Aeris. I’m certain I have you to thank,” he told the servant.
I sniffed. “Only because she’s been barking and screeching over me all morning. I did not ask or approve of any of this, Alisdair. Send it away!”
“I quite like it,” he mused, voice calm and relaxed. “Elegant, but understated. It pleases me, and it makes me want to carry you into an empty room and spend all night pleasing you.” The corner of his mouth curled up and it did funny things to my insides. “Still want me to have it taken down?”
“Well, I... It’s of no surprise to me that you have horrible taste just like that bird woman, but she did get one thing right. As long as everyone eats like civilized fae tonight, I guess it can stay,” Emiana said grudgingly.
“Are you ready?” He flicked over my shoulder. “Eadaoin is supposed to whisk you away for a day of pampering.”
Emiana disappeared, throwing me back at the reins. Relief flooded me. That was only a short episode, and thankfully Alisdair defused her before she could destroy the wedding of my dreams—again.
She’d been inserting herself all week—overriding my decisions, pissing off my helpers, degrading my friends, and all around making everyone wish I cracked my jaw falling down the stairs that day. I finally had to write a list of everything I wanted, hand it to Aeris, and tell her to ignore me if I told her to do anything in contradiction.
I had to make those kinds of strange declarations more and more, because Emiana was taking me over more and more. The only way to stop it was for Alisdair to declare his love to Cliona? Etain? Bedelia?
Fuck’s sake! What is my name!
“Lady Ana, let’s go.” Eadaoin tugged me away. Alisdair and I barely had time to kiss goodbye before our lips were pulled apart. “First, you’ll have a long, hot soaking bath in the finest bath oils in all of Elva. Then, we’ll do your hair and nails. And finally, your dress will grace your body. Ah!” she cried, making me jump. “You’re going to swoon when you see it. It’s the most gorgeous thing in creation. I swear I wept.”
Eadaoin whisked me away. As excited as she was for me to enjoy a day of pampering, she almost shed out all her fur when I insisted that she join me.