Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 116396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
“I love you too.”
When she stepped away, Elora came next. Instead of giving me a tearful goodbye, she just gave me a hug. “Kick ass, okay?”
I chuckled as I clapped her back. “You know I will.”
When she pulled away, she kissed me on the cheek. “Love you.”
“Love you too, sis.”
Bastian shook my hand and wished me luck.
I saw my mother embrace Ivory with the same love she’d just shown me—and that meant the world to me. My mother said, “I know you always have his back, Ivory. Thank you for loving my son.”
Ian came to me next, and he somehow seemed the most upset, even though his features didn’t show much. He stood in front of me for a while before he released a sigh. “You sure I can’t come with you?”
“I have all the men I need.”
“But none of those men is your brother.”
“I feel better knowing Mother has you around. It’s hard enough for her to lose one son, let alone two.” I clapped him on the shoulder.
He gave a nod. “Kill ’em all.”
“You know I will.”
“Your Majesty!” One of the guards ran straight from the castle, rushing downhill toward us at breakneck speed. “An urgent message from the Kingdoms!”
My heart just about exploded.
He had to skid to a stop before he barreled into all of us. So out of breath he couldn’t say anything more, he just held up the scroll.
I was the one to snatch it. I unfurled it and started to read. “A fleet was spotted this morning. A hundred strong—with dragons. They sail from the north, and they’re headed straight for us. We’ll prepare for war, but by the time you receive this, the battle will have already commenced. If you’re still alive, hurry back. We’ll do the best we can. Ryker.”
THIRTY-EIGHT
Huntley
Once we returned to Delacroix, we rested for days.
Ivory was in bed most of the time, and I was right by her side. She had her meals in bed, and every time I changed her bandages, she looked better than she did before. Her injury wasn’t enough to stop us from making love, especially when I could just take her at the edge of the bed with her ass hanging over the mattress.
She never asked me to take my herbs, so I didn’t.
I was ready for a family, and I was certain she was ready too, whenever it happened.
Ivory was sitting up in bed reading when she abruptly dropped her book.
I’d been sitting there gazing at the fire, reflecting on everything that had happened in the last year. It was almost a year ago to the day when I followed her carriage and sabotaged her journey to the Capital. Now she was my wife. My queen. The future mother of my children. My eyes shifted to her. “Baby?”
“Oh my gods, get up!” She launched herself out of bed and grabbed whatever clothes she could find.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
She didn’t answer me and tugged on her boots as she hopped around on one foot.
“Ivory?”
“Just come on!”
I threw on something as we ran through the castle to the outside.
“You shouldn’t be running, baby.”
“Whatever. I’m fine!” She made it outside the double doors into the afternoon light and immediately looked at the open field. She halted and brought her hands to her chest.
I followed her gaze—and spotted three dragons.
Three.
The third dragon was the same size as Pyre and Storm. With scales a beautiful red color, they looked like living fire. The red dragon rubbed its snout against Pyre’s then wrapped its neck around Storm’s in a gesture of affection.
I knew who it was. “She made it.”
Ivory grabbed my hand with tears in her eyes. “Let’s go say hello.” We jogged down the path to the outside of Delacroix and across the large field to where the three dragons were getting reacquainted with one another.
Ivory walked right up to them. “I’m so happy for you, Pyre.”
The red dragon turned her attention on Ivory before she lowered her neck and brought her head close to hers, getting a good look at my wife. Her eyes took Ivory in for nearly a minute before a deep voice exploded in both our minds. I thank you both for my freedom. I thank you both for healing my sons. I thank you both for reuniting them with their mother. May the stars shine on you always.
“You’re very welcome,” Ivory said. “We love Pyre and Storm…and we’re happy they’re finally happy.”
I was sitting in my study when Commander Brutus knocked and stepped inside. “You have a visitor.”
Tomorrow was the day of my coronation. Ivory would place the crown upon my head, the high sect of the church would bless my reign, and I would be the rightful King of Kingdoms. People had already traveled from all the Kingdoms to attend, the field completely full of tents and camps where people were waiting. The dragons stayed in their own area away from everyone else.