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)
Gloombane steps back, chest expanding as if he’s just held back a scream. “A wolf!”
Tristan jumps off the kelpie right behind me. “It’s a dog. Harmless and sweet, a baby still.”
Lady yawns and tries to smell Gloombane, looking as innocent as ever.
He thinks on that for a while and doesn’t seem abrasive at all. Maybe I just remembered him as stormier because of my own terrified state? He’s not assessing me with cold eyes or complaining about my shadow. He’s acting like the perfect gentleman, and even puts his cloak over my shoulders, because I’m no longer wrapped in the one worn by Tristan.
“That… might be a problem, my dear.” He gestures at the far-off tower. “She will have nowhere to roam there.”
“I was actually thinking I could come stay with you until the ceremony,” Tristan says. “I could take care of Lady and make sure—”
“I’m sorry, Tristan, that’s not quite possible, but you could take the dog with you to the Nocturne Court and watch over it until it can reunite with my Dark Companion.” Gloombane turns his eyes to me with a smile. “The dog will be much more comfortable there. I apologize for this inconvenience. There is so much I would like to show you in the meanwhile. We got off on the wrong foot, and it was such a long day for me. I would hate for that first impression of me to be forever etched in your mind. Please, let me reintroduce myself.” He bows deeply. “Lorsen Gloombane, Captain of the Nightcloaks.”
I glance at Tristan, but while I’m terrified of him leaving, maybe it won’t be so bad? Maybe time apart will offer us both an opportunity to reflect, and by the time I arrive at the court, I’ll be able to see whether his feelings for me are real or were just a fleeting fancy.
“I’m Nate,” I say and offer Gloombane my hand while Lady shrieks, terrified of the unfamiliar presence. I laugh and pull her into my arms. “Don’t be scared of this nice man!” If I’m to spend so much time with him, I need to be optimistic, and I think he understands that too. He did apologize after all.
“I could stay nearby and visit,” Tristan tries again, and I appreciate that despite already knowing Gloombane’s answer from the little frown.
“You’re curious about humans, I understand that, but I have so much to show Nate about shadowcraft and the wonders of the sea. We might be taking trips or be otherwise engaged. Who knows, maybe by the time we come back, you will have a promised of your own, and we will celebrate together.”
Tristan said nothing of the sort, but now that Gloombane has put that idea in my head, I feel inconsolable because of the very notion that Tristan, my Ser Tristan, could get together with anyone else. Still, I smile and kiss Lady’s head when she yaps at my promised. “It’s all right, you will be with Tristan. I will be back very soon,” I promise and place her in the bag.
Tristan’s longing stare is unmissable as I pass him the puppy. Selfishly, I hope he doesn’t find himself a promised. At least until we settle whatever it is between us.
“She will miss you so much,” he says, but I know he’s trying to express his own feelings.
“Not as much as I will miss her.”
My own are such a jumble. A rollercoaster of highs and lows brought on by this whole adventure that started with my death. But it can’t be helped. I will need to temporarily part from Tristan and spend the next three weeks with this handsome stranger, which… doesn’t currently seem like the worst of fates. In case the two of us really aren’t a good match as companions, we will just have a lot of small talk and avoid one another in that gothic tower out in the ocean.
“Please, let me know how she’s doing. And ask your human friend how to take care of her. You can also read up on it in the book I got you,” I say, getting closer because I want to touch him one last time before we part. My throat feels thick with longing as I secretly place my fingers over his while I pet Lady with my other hand.
He squeezes them, but if we’re to not arouse suspicion, I need to back off, carrying a last whiff of his scent with me. Gloombane takes my bags to the boat, and there’s no other way to prolong this parting. It feels like there’s an invisible chain between us, and I’ll break it by stepping off the pier.
When it finally happens, I tighten my promised’s cloak around me, because I’m on the verge of trembling, and he needs to believe it’s because of the cold. “Bye, Lady! Good girl!” I shout, waving at Tristan, who stands on the shore like a magnificent statue with alabaster skin and hair like blood.