Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 120029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
“Calm down. It’s all right. That’s Gloombane’s eel. It’s moving again. But it’s yours, it won’t hurt you,” he says quickly, eyes wide.
“Please! Get it off!” I whine, but Tristan was already reaching for it.
I can finally see it, a dark, solid shadow as he pulls it off my face right in front of my eyes. It slips out of his grasp and flops right into my shadow on the ground where it… disappears. Darkness spills from where it fell in, spreading like a drop of ink, and coloring my faint shadow to its very edges.
I whimper, face partially hidden in Tristan’s chest as we both stare, because the shade I cast is now far darker than Tristan’s and compares to the depths of the ocean clashing into the rocks under the Nocturne Court.
“It changed… Is this good?”
Tristan’s frowning, which is making me nervous. He dips his fingers into my shadow, and when he pulls them out, it’s like they’re dripping with tar.
“This is good. Very good.”
“Is Gloombane’s soul now inside me or… something?”
Tristan’s eyes turn to me, sharp and attentive. “No, sweetheart. His power is your trophy, and it seems that becoming my Dark Companion has awakened it. No one will dare criticize your shadow ever again.”
My lips stretch into a smile, and I kiss his chest before hiding in it, because all I want is his approval, his love, and he wanted me even with a shadow pale as a bone. “Is that better for you, my…” I stall, chuckling as a wave of incredulous shyness washes over me. “Are you my husband now? Can I tell everyone?”
Tristan grins and kisses the side of my head. “While unexpected, yes, this is an amazing turn of events, and yes, I will proudly call you my husband and Dark Companion. Though if we want that lavish wedding, you might have to call me your fiancé for a while.”
I chew on my lip, then move my chin up his chest and look at his handsome face.
Unicorn? What unicorn? The most beautiful thing in my life has happened only now.
“I want everyone to know you’re mine.”
“I guess we’ll just throw a party then.” Tristan grins. “I love a party. Oh! And we need to have pizza. And beer pong!”
“And beer pong,” I agree with tears in my eyes.
I love him so much.
For him, I’d even get a tattoo of a solo cup.
Epilogue
Nate
Six months later
Tristan looks so good in a three-piece suit!
The sapphire blue outfit that makes my man’s red mane look even more gorgeous was made by our usual tailor, which means that while the design is copied from a catalog, the tailoring is excellent, the fabrics and accessories are all Nocturne Court panache, and I lowkey love it. My Tristan has a delicate pattern of crabs on his tie, and rose-shaped cufflinks. His hair descends down his back in elegant waves, and while I love him in leather pants, poet’s shirts, and capes, he is very much still a stunner.
I decided to go with an understated look that features an embroidered vest and a shirt with beautiful pearl buttons. Then again… understated? My grandparents would surely think we’re both dressed for our wedding party when they see us! Tristan has specifically chosen the human-style (as he calls it) suit to make a good impression on them, but I know they’d love him in sweats if he makes me happy.
I didn’t want to burden them with the details of everything that happened to me, since I know how much pain it would’ve caused them to learn about the torture I endured. All they needed to know is that I found my way to a magical fantasy realm where I fell in love with an elven prince. At first they didn’t believe, me of course, and it took a while to ease them into it, but after I flew out to meet them in Sydney, and showed them some proof, they started believing me
I think.
The other option is that there will be a psychiatric ambulance waiting for me the moment I arrive in the spot we’re supposed to meet tonight.
One of the two.
Either way, this will be the first time Tristan meets them in person, and if all goes well, they will accompany us to the Nightmare Realm and at least consider joining us there for good. I wouldn’t have pushed for it so much if it wasn’t for the very real fact that they‘re aging. There’s no escaping that. And I miss them. Unless I make a trip to the human realm, which isn’t a quick and easy thing, I can only exchange letters with them, since electricity doesn’t work in the Nightmare Realm, and that means no telephone nor video-calls.
I know I’m asking a lot, but if they settle in the elven realm, they will be able to live on indefinitely. Sure, the Nightmare Realm has its dangers, but they’d be under the protection of the Nocturne Court, so I can see them flourishing. After all, they wanted an adventure, and what adventure could be more exciting than the chance to explore a whole different world?