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)
Maybe if I pretend reality doesn’t exist, I’ll just get to stay with him?
“I… I should be… the one asking." He's out of breath, and it makes me snigger, because sure, I'm tired too, but the fact that I tired him out gives me a strange sense of pride. “I don’t want to leave your sweet body,” he mumbles, mirroring my thoughts. When he collapses on me, his cock does slip out, but I cross my ankles on the small of his back to keep him as close as possible.
Humming softly, I weave my fingers through his hair and even stroke the top of his wing. “Maybe this is where I find my purpose.”
“In being mine?” he murmurs, gathering me into a sweaty hug.
My exhale comes out raspy as I hide my face in his neck, suddenly self-conscious. I should keep it cool, and not show how much I already care, but I can’t bring myself to do it. “I think… love is the only thing that really matters in this world.”
Too much.
I’ve said too much.
I want too much.
And I am too much.
I know it by the way the silence stretches, though instead of awkwardly getting up, Tristan only squeezes me harder.
“Just when I thought I lived long enough to be jaded, you make me see with fresh eyes. Love is the purpose.”
What?
Breathless, I turn my face and seek his gaze, my heart pulsing frantically. “Yes.”
He meets my eyes with such intensity I’m left breathless, and then leans in for a kiss.
Then another.
And one more.
Chapter 12
Nate
The Nightmare Realm isn’t just different because of the creatures who inhabit it, and the fact that it doesn’t have technology as we humans know it. I woke to a darkness so complete I was certain there had to be curtains in the window of our room. But once Tristan awoke and walked me out into the balcony, dressed only in sheets, I saw that the magnificent moon that had witnessed our kisses was gone.
Apparently, this is what constitutes night in this version of reality, and instead of going back to sleep, Tristan ordered us an early breakfast, and we ate it watching the magnificent silver orb climb the sky.
And this is it. The Nightmare Realm is never touched by the sun, and so the presence of the moon means another day has started. That’s something I’ll take some getting used to, but when Tristan kisses my nape as he walks past me, or helps me onto the kelpie like the gentleman he is, I feel it’ll all be worth it in the end.
I have found my purpose.
Somehow, I was always meant to cross into this incredible, alien place soaked with romance and magic. Maybe that’s why I felt like I didn’t belong in my own world.
The morning is chilly as we set off, but I’ve got a warm jacket, I’m petting Lady in the duffel bag, and Tristan’s hugging me from behind.
“I can’t wait to see the castle,” I say, watching the trees we pass with keen interest. Everything in this realm seems that bit different, as if twisted by the dark atmosphere itself.
Tristan strokes my chest through the jacket and kisses my ear. “Hm. So. There’s something I need to tell you. I only got the news yesterday and didn’t want to spoil our evening.”
I frown, but when the little puppy peeks out from the bag, I glance over my shoulder. “I think she needs to stretch her legs. We’re far enough from the tavern to let her roam a bit, right?” I ask, taking in the rocky terrain sloping toward a pond that shines with the same silver as the moon above it.
Tristan reaches past me, strokes Lady’s fuzzy head, and takes his time looking around. “I suppose it should be fine. We just need to make sure she doesn’t walk off, but you have her leash.”
There’s no one here but us, and my stomach does a little backflip when I lean back and kiss his perfect jaw. “Thank you. Dogs need a lot of activity,” I say, watching him descend to the gravel. Apparently, the kelpie does not need to be hitched to anything, because Tristan just leaves Stone at the edge of the road once he’s done helping me down. But with Lady wiggling happily inside the bag, so very eager to explore all the brand new scents, I’m too busy clipping the leash to her harness to pay attention.
“This place looks so magical,” I say, letting the puppy tug me across the mossy clearing peppered with small shrubs. There’s even a little stone bench by the water. “Straight from a gothic novel.” I grin and reach back until my fingers find Tristan’s. “You wanted to tell me something?”
I’m a little worried when he doesn’t smile back.
“Yes. It’s… about the castle.”