Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115347 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115347 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
VIORI FUMED AS Micah rummaged through the picnic basket. Without showing her that supposed dagger hilt.
Would nothing go right for her?
She perched on the ground with her arms tied behind her back, uncomfortable thanks to him. As stealthily as possible, she sawed the binding over the sharp edge of a rock. Muscles she hadn’t known she possessed strained and ached. Perspiration beaded on her brow.
The sun had lowered significantly, casting muted rays of lavender and amber over the land. Those rays bathed her companion’s mighty frame. For the first time in their acquaintance, she experienced a little of that soul flaying Elena had mentioned. Ferocious power emanated from him. Sharp and stinging. Every cell in her body screamed, Danger! And yet, she believed she might kind of...like it.
What was wrong with her? She despised this male. But still she drank in the sight of him. Sweat-dampened hair clung to his brow. Several locks adhered to his cheeks. A thick shadow covered his strong jaw. His pale skin glistened, as if dusted with diamond powder. And good gracious, was he smuggling rocks under his clothing? The strength he wields...
Thankfully, she wasn’t alone in this unwanted attraction. No matter what he claimed, he absolutely, positively enjoyed the sight of her as well. Anytime he glanced her way, his attention immediately dipped to her lips. Or the pulse in her throat. Her breasts. Each location left him flustered and Viori delighted.
Not want me anymore, husband? Unworthy? Try again. He might despise her with the same fervency she displayed toward him, but not an ounce of his desire had faded or cooled. On the contrary. It had grown and heated, soon to boil over. But how was she to use this information to her advantage? And she would use it to her advantage.
Forget his past crimes. Not that she could. But. This brutal king planned to imprison her for eternity and destroy her children. For that, he must die. Her plan hadn’t changed: escape, find a way to remove the collar, hunt the trolls, destroy Micah, present herself to Kaysar.
Her nerves vibrated and her stomach churned; she shook off the malaise. For better or worse, she intended to charge ahead. But how best to escape? Nothing she’d attempted had gotten her far. If she failed in this, she lost everything, falling victim to Micah’s plan: carting her into his camp, sealing her in some dank, dark prison and surrounding her with his troll army.
And that wasn’t even the biggest problem she faced! Viori had found no trace of Graves, Sprinkles or Muffin. She knew they were fine. Healthy. But...they were avoiding her. Which she didn’t understand!
And why hadn’t Micah killed Snowy when he’d had the chance? Her third creation, made soon after Drendall, often proved a wee bit more temperamental than most. The son she’d sung to life when Winterland soldiers had captured her. A simple creature made of ice, fear and fury. He tended to lash out at anyone who dared approach him. Even Viori. But oh, she loved him dearly. During her first year without Kaysar, Snowy had saved her countless times.
The fact that Micah had allowed him to live... Perhaps the king wasn’t as terrible as she believed?
What are you doing, veering off course? No, no, no! She knew better. What was it her husband said? Oh yes. He’s merely a vase. I’d rather destroy the clay responsible for it.
She glowered at him while working harder at her bindings. Perhaps he was worse than she’d ever suspected.
When the tie frayed, freeing her hands, Viori decided to try a new path. Rather than running away as usual, she opted to test her companion. She drew her arms forward gradually, waiting for his protest. Her shoulders both protested and rejoiced.
Micah stiffened, noticing her new freedom right away. But then, he noticed everything always. For once, he didn’t rush over to tackle and retie her. A courtesy she refused to appreciate.
But honestly, why bolt right now? She was tired, starved and weakened. To facilitate a successful getaway, she’d have to swallow her pride, douse his anger, charm him and convince him to lower his guard enough to feed her, then let her rest and recharge.
“Nothing to say to me?” she asked with a casual tone.
“I have plenty to say. Be grateful I’m willing to keep the words to myself. I’d appreciate the same courtesy.”
“Fine. You seek silence. I’ll give you silence. I have better things to do, anyway.” Determined, she stood and tore off her dirty wedding gown, dropping the material at her feet.
Had Micah sucked in his breath? Without glancing her way, he intoned, “What are you doing, Vee?”
“I’d tell you, but I’m too busy being silent, remember? Besides, you aren’t attracted to me anymore, so my nakedness shouldn’t matter to you. And really, I’m eager to enjoy what’s left of my life before someone I know and hate locks me up forever.”