Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 161535 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 538(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 161535 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 538(@300wpm)
He lifts his head as he kisses just above my navel. “You want to talk about that now?”
“Just curious.”
The god grunts, then returns to his ministrations, his tongue dipping into my belly button. “Better. It’s still there, but it’s like a subtle spice instead of an overwhelming taste.”
Just hearing that makes me want to weep. I know how much he’s struggled over the last few months. How many days has he sat, staring into space, hating every moment of being trapped in this form? “I’m so glad, Kalos. All I ever wanted for you was to feel better.”
He shakes his head, pushing my skirts up. “You’re too good, Elsie. You should want something for yourself.”
“I do. I want you.”
Kalos groans. He finishes pushing my skirts up and buries his face between my thighs. With a gasp, I spread my legs wider, welcoming him to do as he wants with me. I want nothing more than for this moment to last forever. I want his kisses all over my body, the heat of his skin, the weight of him as he moves to settle his body over mine.
I wrap myself around him as he frees his cock from his pants, and when he sinks into me, I gasp with how good it feels. He kisses away my cries of pleasure, driving me into the mattress with the force of his strokes. It’s a perfect, blissful moment.
At times like this, I want to be Kalos’s for all time. Just stay right here, wallowing in some stranger’s bed, wearing some stranger’s clothing, but happy and loved.
There’s nothing better.
Chapter
Forty-Three
“Time to go.”
I don’t see who says it, but the words instill fear in my heart. I jerk awake, leaping up from the bed. I’m alone, the sheets tousled, and I frown as I look around the room. “Where’s Kalos?”
The room is empty. There’s no one around.
No sign of Kalos.
Worry flares through me and I lace my dress up quickly, shoving my feet into my loose slippers once more. My legs feel strangely heavy and when I leave the room, it’s like I’m wading through mud. Kalos isn’t in the hall, and I move from one room to the next, looking for a familiar head of silvery hair.
“Kalos?” I call out. No one answers.
The servants lurk in shadowy corners, and no one meets my eyes. It’s like they all know something I don’t, and it makes me panic even more.
“Kalos?” I call over and over again. “Kalos, where are you?”
My nose runs, and at first, I’m excited—this might be a sign that I’m getting closer to him, if my body is showing signs of sickness. Someone hands me a handkerchief and I wipe my nose, only for the fabric to come away bloody.
Oh.
Oh god.
More blood gushes out, unstoppable. Kalos can fix this, I tell myself, holding the handkerchief to my nose. He can make this all better.
I just have to find him.
“Kalos?” I cry again. He wouldn’t leave me behind…would he? I wander down another candlelit hall, feeling alone and afraid. “Kalos! Kalos!”
“Elsie.”
Rough hands shake me awake, and I bolt upright, screaming.
“It’s a dream,” murmurs a familiar voice. “Look where you are.”
I stare out into the darkness of the bedroom. There are no candles lit here, no servants waiting. I’m not dressed. I recite all these things to myself and somehow my brain still won’t focus properly. My hands flutter to my face. “I’m bleeding!”
“You’re not. Touch your nose.”
I do, and it’s dry, even though I could swear it was bleeding a moment ago. I could feel the wetness on my lip. “I don’t understand.”
“Another waking dream. You’re all right. I’m here with you.”
I turn my head and stare into Kalos’s eyes. He’s here. He’s been beside me all along. “I was looking for you.”
“I didn’t go anywhere. I wouldn’t.” He gently touches my shoulder. “It’s the middle of the night. Go back to sleep.”
Nodding, I lie back down again, feeling marginally better when he wraps his arms around me. I touch my nose one more time, just to make sure, but my nostrils are dry. There’s no nosebleed.
Just a horrible nightmare. It’s not reality.
We agree to meet Belara over breakfast the next morning.
I want to say that I’m more rested after a night in Kalos’s arms, but I remain utterly drained. It’s probably going to take a few days to shake off as we adjust to our new normal. Since we’re meeting the goddess, though, I take great care with my appearance. The mayor’s wife acts as a maid for me and helps me dress in one of her fanciest gowns, and she layers me with necklaces. My hair is braided and twined into a crown with a few loose strands to tickle the neck, and I look very regal.
Tired, but regal.
“I have just the thing for those under-eyes,” she says, taking a tiny pot off her vanity. She dabs a finger in white powder and holds it to my face. “Just a dab of lead under your eyes and we’ll get the color evened out.”