Enslaved (Prince of the Doomed City #4)

by Sylvia Mercedes

“Sometimes, Darling, your courage looks rather too much like lunacy to the rest of us.”

Nothing is impossible. Just expensive.”

It will happen eventually of course. He’ll tire of me, tire of trying to talk sense into me. Tire of trying to make me see things his way. Then he’ll drop me at last. And it will be such a relief when it finally happens. The suspense of waiting for the inevitable is much worse than the reality will be. Sure, it will hurt like the nine hells when he finally gives up. But I’ve been hurt before. I’ll push through.

I feel called out

“I will come to you.” His mouth rests just against my ear, his voice low and deep: “Should you need me. For any reason. Not for Obligation, only for need.”

“Call my name,” he whispers. “I will come to you. From anywhere in all the worlds, I will come. Just call my name.” “Castien.” My throat vibrates against his fingertips. “No.” He leans in closer, his nose against my temple. His lips just brush my skin. Not a kiss, a mere stroke of contact. “Not that.” Then he speaks a single word, softly. Breathes it into my ear. The next moment he is gone.

“You spoke my true name. Only one woman in all the worlds may do that. For her I would give my life. I would give a thousand lives—to see you safe and whole and happy.” One day, I’ll offer that name as a gift to she who will be my wife. If she accepts me, she will speak it back.

“Clara! Clara, my darling, I love you. To the very depths of my worthless heart and being. The battle is lost—the war is done. You’ve won. You’ve conquered and destroyed me. Love me or loathe me, it makes no difference now.”