Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92996 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92996 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
“The demon put its own tainted blood in you,” he told Lorne. “Corvus protected you, and in so doing took this putrescence from you and ingested it, poisoning all.”
There could never be a doubt that the land loved Lorne.
“Put your hands there and give thanks.”
Lorne moved brokenly to his hands and knees and gently pushed his fingers into the ground. “Thank you, my land,” he husked, and like me, there were tears.
“Good,” Arawn said before he blew on the tainted heart in his hand, and the still-pulsing organ turned to dust and disappeared on the breeze. He turned to me then, his gaze meeting mine. “A demon cannot be killed on the land. Corvus is powerful, but your gifts, those of your kin, are not enough to cleanse the land of that which is putrid and godless. Do you hear me, Xander Corey?”
“Yes, my lord,” I answered shakily.
Lorne’s plan had been a good one. Together we had managed the seemingly impossible, and the one part I’d been completely certain of was that Corvus could purify itself after taking in the demon. My faith had been absolute, but I hadn’t truly understood what I was asking.
“You will be mine now,” he told Lorne. “As your chosen place is to stand with my servant, you have no choice.”
Lorne was quiet, staring into his face.
“Say yes, my lord,” Arawn demanded, because that was his way.
“Yes, my lord,” he whispered, and Arawn slapped his hand over Lorne’s heart.
It hurt. I knew it did. Being branded was not pleasant. Your blood boiled, your skin burned, your bones felt like they were breaking one at a time. To me, it was like roasting from the inside out. And just when you thought you would literally combust…it stopped.
“You have taken in the blood of a demon, as well as had one take all from you but your soul. You held up well, bravely, and as that was done for the sake of my servant, I thank you.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“As you are mine now, neither is allowed again.” His eyes narrowed as he stared at Lorne. “You will do only my bidding and heed only my words.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“I was far afield; thus my lady came to offer words of solace and direction.”
“Which we heeded,” I apprised him.
“More importantly, you were reminded of that which I hunt, and still you did not call,” he told Lorne but glanced at me, since it was my lesson. “Corvus is mine, as is the guardian.”
“We thought,” I began, and then stopped because I was the one who should have known better. None of this was on Lorne. “I thought the best choice was made. I thought not to call unless things were dire and… I was wrong. Please forgive me.”
Slowly, he turned to me. “He knew not. You knew better.”
“Forgive me, my lord,” I rasped.
He raised a finger. “You know of a demon, you call to me.”
I nodded as my eyes filled.
“Do you imagine there is such as Corvus in every realm?”
“No, my lord,” I croaked.
“Do you imagine there is a witch, or his mate, that I would take as mine in every realm?”
“No, my lord.” The tears were running down my face.
“I kill the unholy, the unclean. You dare not. Hear me, child?”
I really tried to answer him. I gave it my best, but nothing came out.
After a moment, he put his massive hand on top of my head and patted gently. It was as close to a hug as I was going to get. He then turned to Lorne. “Help your mate to always keep his covenant with me.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And a demon?”
“Is your dominion alone,” Lorne affirmed, because I couldn’t.
“Good.” He rose to his feet. “I heard your cries of anguish, and then those of the land. That should never be,” he said, and the husky, gravelly sound of his voice soothed every part of me.
“And will never be again, my lord,” I promised. “I am your servant. Always.”
He grunted like I was tedious. “The land is sanctified; the body of that man is no more. Be well until I return.”
“And you, my lord Arawn.”
As he walked away, edelweiss bloomed everywhere he stepped. I watched him leave, not planning to look away until he was out of sight because every visit was a gift.
When I saw Elen in the distance, I thought it looked like she was waiting for him, and when she lifted her staff, Lorne waved.
They were gone from sight seconds later.
After a moment, I slid over and climbed into his lap. Immediately, he wrapped me in his arms. Lifting my hands to his face, I gently brushed away dirt, and then kissed him. I was careful, and it was quick, but I had to.
“I’m filthy,” he whispered. “You sure you should be kissing me?”
“Don’t be stupid,” I scolded him. “I love you no matter what. Forever.”