Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Garrick has too many outstanding qualities to list, but his eyes? Those are in a category all of their own. The hazel depths stare down at me, holding me prisoner without setting a single finger to my skin. The black of his uniform and hair somehow accentuate the copper that rings his pupils, but the rest of his irises vary between green and blue in a pattern I’ve never been able to decipher. And worse, I know from experience that they change with whatever he wears, constantly drawing my attention to see what they might look like on any given day.
If they’d stay the same, I’d have a prayer of conquering the addiction.
“Would you like me to fly over and slice that sexual tension for you?”
Ugh. I snap my eyes closed. Get out of my head.
“No. You are mine. Get used to it.”
“I’ll be happy to oblige,” Garrick says with a wicked grin.
I blink. What were we discussing?
“Dancing,” she reminds me, and the bond strengthens.
“No thank you.” I lift both my brows so he knows I’m serious. “From what I’ve seen the last few months, you have all the dance partners you can handle.”
“Is that why you won’t talk to me?” His eyes flare and his grin deepens. “Because you’re jealous?”
Jealous? Fuck that nonsense.
Wait. Is that seriously…hope shining in his eyes?
“Hardly.” I fold my arms across my chest. “I couldn’t care less where you put your dick. I’m not the one riding it.”
He leans into my space, and his gaze drops to my mouth. “Say the word, Imogen.”
Gods, that gooey sensation invades my stomach again, and I find myself staring at the perfectly carved curves he calls lips.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” The lie rolls off my tongue easily. I take a single step backward, then curse at myself for revealing how to make me retreat. I’ve spent the majority of my life proving to him that I have no weaknesses, and if he knew he’s the only cause of such a flaw, I’d be screwed.
And somehow, he’d wind up dead.
Not sure what I did to piss off Malek, but I have no doubt he’d take Garrick, too.
“Say the word and I won’t so much as look at another woman.” His gaze meets mine, and I’m trapped again. “Ever.”
He’s too close. Smells too good. And I’d rather see him bed a thousand women than be responsible for burying him.
“Don’t swear yourself to celibacy for my sake.” I tilt my head and pout. “It would be a really lonely life.” I let the sweet sarcasm drip from my tone.
He scoffs. “Gods, you really are pissed at me.”
“I’m starting to think this qualifies as interference and not observation.” I put my hands on my hips.
His sigh could blow half the leaves out of this forest. “You’re looking for Glane. Orange Daggertail.”
I blink. “I’m not.”
“You are.” He shrugs. “Chradh told me. Sgaeyl told Riorson. I’d consider the two of them fairly reliable sources, considering they rarely agree on anything.”
“I’m growing bored. Let’s move things along.”
Energy zips down my spine, and I roll my shoulders to shake off the odd sensation.
What the fuck was that? My frustration reaches a boiling point with everything about this day, and I take another step backward. He hasn’t moved, and yet he’s still consuming all the breathable oxygen in my vicinity. When did he get so gigantic? He’d bordered on gangly the last time I saw him. “Did you start eating full cows when you crossed the parapet or something? You were never this big, and now you’re…” I wave my hand toward his torso. “Everywhere. Are you as tall as Riorson now?”
“So you noticed. Interesting.” A corner of his mouth rises. “I have about an inch on him, but don’t bring it up. It’s a sore subject.”
“Boys are so weird.” I move to the left, and this time he lets me pass.
“You can run away from me all you want. I’m used to you denying this. But Glane is the dragon coming for you. I doubt she’ll let you outrun her,” he says, walking after me as I head toward the dead oak.
“He’s right.”
Shut up. I’ll deal with you in a minute.
“Me run away from you?” I whirl around and throw up a finger, effectively stopping the biggest guy in the quadrant from taking another step. “You’re the one who didn’t bother to say goodbye.”
Fuck me, I should not have said that.
His eyes widen. “Is that why you’re giving me the silent treatment?”
“How is any of this silent?” I take a full breath and will my temper to cool, for the interminable rage that lives within me to ease off just a little.
“I couldn’t get to Ivyndelle those last months before Parapet.” His shoulders fall.
“It’s an hour’s ride from Lewellen.” Heat flushes up my back and spreads through my limbs like my anger is a living, breathing thing determined to take over my nervous system.