Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
“You are a lot, but you’re my mate—my Cold Tethered soul mate. You’re mine. Nothing can tear us apart.”
“Well,” he sighs, picking up my hand and entwining our fingers, “in that case, I want to give you this.”
A crown appears, floating in the air next to him. It shimmers in the threads of sunlight, all silver and rubies. The design is intricate, the silver bands crisscrossing as they hug the red gems. When the crown floats to my head and settles, I look into his eyes.
“You are my queen. You are my life. Not only will the rings seal our fates and our bond forever, but this crown will be an embodiment of that. So long as you carry this, neither of us will fall.”
A smile sweeps across his lips, and another crown appears above his head. “Got one for myself too.”
A giggle breaks out of me, despite the tears in my eyes. “I don’t know what I ever did to deserve you, Caz,” I whisper.
He places a kiss on my lips. Once. Twice. They’re warm with just the right amount of pressure.
“Those are the wrong words, Willow Woman. The true question is what have I done in my horrible, tragic life to deserve someone as loyal, smart, and beautiful as you?”
That hand at my waist tugs, hitching my robe up. Before I know it, my back is pressed to the wall, and we’re both breathing hard as we kiss. His tongue slips through my lips, rolling and playing with mine.
I feel a clench between my thighs and moan as he picks me up in his arms. I manage to wrap my legs around his waist, even with my baby bump in the way, and hold his face in my hands.
“Should we fuck before the wedding?” he asks.
“I think that’s considered bad luck on Earth.”
“Good thing we aren’t on Earth then, eh?”
My laughter is shrill as he coats my neck and chest with kisses. He turns away from the wall to march to the bed, but before he can lay me down, I hear a thud.
Caz freezes as he peers over his shoulder.
“Are you kidding me?” Juniper stands in the doorframe with her hand on her hip. “Caz, get out right now!” She zips across the room and tugs on his arm. “We just had her hair styled, and you’re trying to ruin it.”
I can’t help laughing as Caz reluctantly pulls away, but not because Juniper is strong enough to make it happen.
“Just have the hair stylist come back up then.” He runs his palms over his rumpled shirt.
“No way. We need to stay on schedule. Now shoo!” She walks around him, pushing him on the center of his back. He doesn’t budge so she pushes harder, and that gets his feet moving. “You can do all the fucking and kissing after you slide that ring on her finger.”
Caz makes it to the door but not without looking back. He starts to speak until Maeve and Faye appear, slipping through the gaps.
“He tried to bang her, Mum. Can you believe that?” Juniper shrills.
“He what?” Maeve turns her narrowed eyes to Caz, and this time I bust out laughing.
“Keep it in your pants, grumpy god,” Faye laughs.
“I came to give her a gift, and she’s my mate, so I have the right to—”
“Yeah, yeah. See you later. Love you, bye!” Juniper slams the door in Caz’s face. Then she eyes me, pointing a finger. “That baby is making you hornier than usual.”
I snort a laugh. “I mean, he has a point.”
“You’re a mess,” Faye laughs as she helps me off the bed. “Come on. Let’s get you squeezed into your dress.”
NINETY-NINE
CAZ
I stand a short distance from the shore, nervous as ever. The sound of crashing ocean waves blends with the ballad of string instruments from the band.
I study the guests in their seats, many of them from different territories.
Alora and her closest Vanorians, along with a handful of Gilded.
Hannie is amongst them, though she’s not here as one of Alora’s visitors. Last I heard, she called off the wedding shortly after the war. She’s come today as Killian’s plus one.
Devlin and a date from the Turi Tribe are here.
Hale from Whisper Grove, his wife, and a few soldiers.
My commanders of Blackwater and their wives are seated, as well as a few of our well-known merchants, gunsmiths, and blacksmiths.
Paulina, one of my barkeepers from Blackwater Tavern, is here as well as Simpson, who will be officiating the wedding.
Then there is my Blackwater Clan.
Killian and Rowan stand to my left, dressed head to toe in black. Their suits are crisp, not a smudge on their shoes.
Maeve and Juniper stand the opposite way in gold gowns. Willow’s excitable maid of honor, Faye, is with them.
And I can’t forget Silvera and Cerberus. They sit on either side of the altar, facing the guests like guardians. Juniper clipped a silver bowtie on Cerberus’s chest while Silvera has a bow on top of her head.