Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 85552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
I swallowed. “That’s a great ending.”
Xander combed his fingers through his blond-and-black hair. “And that might be your ending. You’re definitely worthy of it.”
Xander pulled me to him and wrapped his strong arms around my waist.
A weird sensation captured my heart as Xander touched me on my homeland, only several feet from my sleeping husband.
But it also felt so right and natural. Every nerve in my body seemed to be on fire. And there was this unsettling completeness that came too as if sometime before we were born, a great being had designed us to be a pair—two pieces of a puzzle crafted by some ancient force. Like we were meant to only fit in each other’s form and become an unshakeable union.
I trembled.
This is the blood talking.
Xander’s soothing voice slipped inside my mind. Let it.
I parted my lips.
“Camille, let’s just run from this town.”
“No.” I climbed out of his arms. My hands returned to shaking. “I have to know if Ethan has moved on and I definitely have to see my girls. My daughters’ faces and the memories I have of Ethan were the only way I survived my time in the Royal Court.”
Xander’s face hardened into a mask of ambiguity. I didn’t know if he was angry or not.
“Okay.” He turned away from me and climbed the steps to my porch. “So what’s your plan right now?”
“I guess I’ll knock on the door.” I bit my lip.
“No. I have a better idea. We should sneak in.”
I scrunched my face up in confusion. “You mean break in?”
“Yes. If Ethan is alone in his bed, then I’ll leave you here.”
What?
For some reason panic hit me. The idea that Xander would be far away made me form my hands into fists. My heart slammed against my chest.
Shh, he whispered in my head. It’ll be hard enough to walk away. Control your body’s reaction.
I’m not trying to react. It’s just what’s happening.
Xander looked at me. “It’s because you’re my queen.”
I refused to respond and kept my mind as blank as possible.
“Now is time to truly see the answer.” Xander pulled out a crooked black key that looked just like the one Leeta had in the hotel. “Are you ready?”
I shivered. “Yes.”
Xander stuck the key in the doorknob and twisted it.
A small click sounded.
The door creaked open.
Chapter 12
The Answer
Camille
Shock came to me that Xander had easily opened my home’s door with no problem.
I asked in my head. How did you open my door with that key?
He pushed his response in my head. I helped an old black mage escape the Quiet King’s dungeon. He made me three keys like this. These keys can open any door that isn’t locked by magic.
A smirk spread on his face as he continued to speak in my head. I have two. I gave the other one to Leeta.
I nervously nodded and followed him in.
The aroma of binberry cookies hit me. The sweet scent saturated the dark space. I smiled, happy my girls slept in a house that smelled so sweet. Surely this was a home of fun things and happy memories.
Xander picked me up and then spoke in my head. I can move silently. You’ll make a lot of noise if you walk.
Then, I heard him inhale.
Are you smelling me?
This may be the last time. I’m near you, he mentally said. Be happy that’s all I’m doing.
I blinked.
We moved through the dark living room, creeping toward the dimly lit hallway. Shadows blurred and distorted the furniture and images in the picture frames.
My body trembled. My heart beat loud in my ears, so loud I was sure it would wake everyone in the house.
Relax, Xander said as we traveled down the hall.
Colorful drawings decorated the walls, resembling artwork children would make.
My girls.
I beamed. The drawings had to belong to them. I touched one. Xander paused, letting me run my finger against its smooth surface.
He whispered in my head. Take it.
I began to pull one of the pictures down and then suddenly stopped.
Wait. Why should I take it? Will I not be living in this house to see the drawing every day? Are you trying to tell me something?
Xander stiffened against me. Blasted woman! I just figured you would want it.
Xander moved one arm from me, and held my body with the other one. Next, he took two of the drawings and handed them to me.
Thank you.
I gave him a weak smile and took them.
Xander carried me farther down the hallway. I knew my bedroom was the last one on the end and we were currently passing the girls’ room. But that was only if Ethan kept the house the same.
Xander replied. I can hear tiny beating hearts in the room that we are passing. Two little ones.
I gasped.
Those are my girls. My babies.
Xander halted and gazed into my eyes. His voice slipped within my mind. Do you want to see them now or go into the main bedroom to your husband?