Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
His hand falls away from my waist and he steps toward the orb. I turn to watch him as he watches the image. His father lies in a bed, looking ill.
His skin is pale, and his body is thin. He looks worse than when he was here. I have so much sorrow as I take in the image for myself.
“Argon,” his father says weakly. “You must find my son.”
Argon turns his head away from the orb. His head is bowed and his body is full of tension. I lift a hand to reach out to him but drop it.
“I had only wanted to surprise you with a view of your home. When I summoned the image for myself, I found this. I swear to you, this isn’t my doing. He should have been well upon returning to your home.”
Argon vibrates with silent rage. His hands spark with magic at his fingertips. Not as bright as the day he arrived or when I allowed him to recharge.
His magic has become too dormant for that. I drop my head in shame. I know this wasn’t from my magic or the castles, but if I didn’t keep Argon here, he would be home to protect his father, to care for him.
“I’m releasing you,” I murmur. “You can go and help him. Your blood still holds my venom. I can sense it. It’s enough to heal him. He just needs a few drops from you.”
Argon spins to face me. I’m thrown by the indecision I see in his eyes. A war plays across his face.
“I—He’s unwell. I must go.”
“I know. That’s why I’m releasing you. Your powers will restore themselves once you’re away from here. It will strengthen my venom in your blood. That will help.”
“Blaise…” He pauses and looks away from me.
I give him a wobbly smile. “It’s fine. I just ask that you leave at nightfall. It’s the safest time for me to send you through. I will open the portal for you. My chariot will get you there safely.”
He nods and swallows. “I will go to see to my father’s health and then I will return to serve my time.”
“No, you don’t have to. Don’t make promises you won’t keep. You have people who count on you. You will be king someday, just as you told me.”
“Blaise—”
“I’ve enjoyed your company. You will never know what your friendship has meant.”
“Blaise, I’m a man of my word. I will return.”
“It will be too late, Argon. I don’t want you to return. I won’t be here. Not like this.” I choke off a sob. “The one you’ve grown to know will no longer exist.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing, nothing at all,” I reply and turn to leave.
“Blaise, Blaise,” his voice thunders after me, but I can’t stand to look at him a second longer.
That dream last night changed something for me. I’m in love with Argon and I will ache to the depths of my soul when he leaves me. I have learned to love, but I have failed to gain his love in return.
When the sound of his heavy footfalls begins to follow after me, I phase to the roof of the castle. I sit perched on top of my home as he bellows through the halls in search of me. It’s better this way.
Chapter 22
Don’t Forget Me
Argon
I’ve been trying to will myself into one of those hallucinations. I haven’t seen Blaise since she ran from me or, should I say, vanished on me. I need to see her.
I pick up a book from my side table. If I can’t will the vision to happen on my own, I’ll try the way it’s been happening. My anger grows as I go through several chapters, and nothing happens.
I get ready to snap the book shut and set it on fire when my vision finally begins to blur. In the blink of an eye, I’m standing before Blaise. She has her back to me as she looks over the balcony into the dark night.
“You can leave. The chariot awaits you at the front of the castle,” she says softly.
“Why have you hidden from me?”
“It’s better this way.”
I wrap my arms around her waist and my spirit reflection roars for her. I calm him by burying my face into her hair. It has been returned to its wild curls from the first time I saw her.
“Better for who? I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.”
“You have said it. Now you should go.”
I brush her hair from her neck and dip to kiss her soft skin. “I have yet to say goodbye,” I murmur against her flesh and palm her breasts.
“Argon,” she says breathlessly.
“I love the way you say my name.” She shivers. “I shall return, Blaise. I will keep my word.”
I turn her face to me to cover her lips before she can protest. Deepening the kiss, I knead her full breasts. I ache to have her once more and my spirit link demands I do so.