Chapter 75
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Ragnar’s father is on board with the plan, and so is my grandmother Loverheard them are plotting together over tea. I’ve seen Lady Helena three times this week, and it was expecting. They have told no one, but she’s making herself scarce. Not only from us, it also from der sk
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The King’s royal guards are keeping talis on each location 1 marked on the map. They have conformed werd dige and an uptick in guards. Ivar assured me that it wouldn’t be a problem. The more the sherry were has a wed
“You okay?” Ragnar asks, glancing over at me. It’s Thursday night. I don’t have cases on Fridays, and Mr. We went get Friday off so he can take his mate out for a weekend–long getaway. We’re going the King’s Tegle x seed due “You’re a little quiet
“Just–I clear my throat. “I don’t know if I’m nervous or excited for Saturday. Maybe somewhere in betwee
able to think about in my spare time.
“It’s natural. It’s nerve–wracking at first because you’ve never had to attack. Pant it’s accelerating became you’ve been training for this for a while and every single instinct in your body craves it, he grins.
“I think that’s it,” I agree. “I’ve been doing some research on your oath. It’s going to be very painted to break it
“I know,” he says without hesitation. “It’s painful now.”
There’s been something weighing on my mind for a few days now. When we crossed paths again, he told me that be hard never consummated his mating because he was waiting for the two of them to finish their trials as the sex King and Gen Not long after he took the oath. The idea that Ragnar is still a virgin makes me want to laugh.
I’ve seen the way women look at him. Men as well. He’s beautiful Worthy of taking whatever he wanted. I doubt he would even have to ask. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing him shirtless. I think pain is something he welcomes because the man is covered in tattoos. I’ve never stopped to look at them more than just a glance, but the shading and designs look like someone took their sweet time on them.
“You don’t have to do this just because I know now. You can take your time. There’s no hurry, I say, trying to stay nestral so it doesn’t offend him.
“I know,” he repeats. “But it doesn’t matter if it’s now or later. The pain will be the same. I didn’t have a problem with in before, but it’s starting to become one.”
“What do you mean? Because I shifted?*
“Partly, your scent gets the best of me at times,” he smiles when he glances at me. “But we’re close, Soph. Very close and I want to be closer. But every step I take towards you feels like I’m being skinned alive.
“There are times when I’m prepared to see you, but there are times when you sneak up on me, and it makes me angry. At you, for being so you. And at me for being such a fucking idiot. I don’t want to hurt you, and I don’t want to continue hurting myself over something that shouldn’t have happened in the first place.”
My role in this is important. I have to be supportive, or it might not work. I reach out, placing my hand over his. When be looks at me, all I can do is smile back.
“We’ve got this,” I try to reassure him. “I’m here.”
He looks between the road and me a couple of times before he lets out a sigh of relief. I don’t think either of us was in the right headspace last week. I had just gotten back, and the idea of having another mate sent me into a spiral. It reopened a wound that’s still fairly fresh.
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Chapter 75
“Are you sure?”
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“Yes,” I say without hesitation. “I’ve had time to let the idea sink in. You’re not the only one who’s always angry. I gave so much of myself that for a while I didn’t really know who I was becoming. Everything was clouded by what happened.
“All those insercurities came flooding back in, and reason flew out the window. I don’t think it’s something that’s ever going to go away. I used to be hard on myself, but it’s so much worse now. There are times when I can’t even bring myself to look at my reflection.”
“Is that why the mirror in your room is covered with a blanket?” he asks.
“That and it’s right in front of my bed,” I laugh. “I really am sorry about the way I reacted.”
“So am I,” he pats my head. I roll my eyes, wanting nothing more than to find something that annoys him just as much.
We pass the spot we stopped at last time, and once we get over the hill, I see it. He wasn’t joking when he said this was a temple. I expected an old cathedral or something, but I am way off. The structure is made of stones. Massive stones carved into cubes and stacked like the pyramids.
The stones are covered in moss and vibrant flowers. It looks big from where we are, and it’s only getting bigger the closer we get. The structure is built right into the cliffside. The water probably licks the side of it during high tide.
The moment I step out of the car and take Ragnar’s hand, a sort of peace comes over me. I stop completely as the nervousness and anxiety I felt melt away to nothing. My thoughts quiet down, and every cell in my body welcomes the feeling as if I were becoming weightless. It feels like something just caressed my soul with the most tender love.
“Wow,” I say to myself. When I look up, Ragnar is smiling.
“I know,” he laughs. “I knew you’d like it here. Come on. I want you to meet someone.”
I feel extra small as we approach the entrance. These past three years, I’ve centered my life around myself, but being here feels like a testament to how small I really am. I’m giving so much importance to something that should no longer matter. Yet, as we enter the temple, it’s all I want to think about. All that seems to matter.
“My King,” a woman comes out of nowhere. She wasn’t standing in the middle of the temple when we entered. I took my eyes from the stone altar for a second, and then there she was. “My Queen,” she gets on her knees and bows with his arms stretched out in front of her. I get really uncomfortable fast, because that is an insane greeting. “Welcome to the King’s Temple.”
“Seraph,” Ragnar lets go of my hand and helps her up. She drops what appears to be a winged pin. I pick it up and offer it to her.
“You are far more beautiful in person, Sophia Helvig,” she says, taking the pin. She tucks a strand of my hair back and clips the pin in my hair. She is as tall as Ragnar. “A gift.”
“Thank you,” I say.
I don’t know why, but I find myself clinging to her words. She is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Her eyes are the palest shade of blue I’ve ever seen. They’re a couple of shades away from being completely white. I’m freezing despite being dressed for the cold. And here she stands in a white lace gown, barefoot. Her long white hair is braided back. She turns around to make her way to the altar. The thick rope of hair bounces off the back of her calves as she walks. She looks like an angel.
“You flatter me,” she smiles when she turns back to me.
“You can hear my thoughts?” I ask, horrified and embarrassed.
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Chapter 75
“I am a wind elemental. The wind carries all intentions, and I’ve learned to read them,” she tucks her hands in front of her. “My element and I are one. I don’t feel the cold the way you do.
“I’m sorry,” I say, “I live in my head a lot.”
“Don’t we all,” she smiles kindly.
“Sophie, this is Seraph. She is one of the oldest elders of our kind,” Ragnar introduces her. “Seraph, this is Sophia Helivg. My mate and the next Queen of all Lycans.”
AD
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
