“It is good to see you, milord,” shemurmured.
“You as well, Chandra.”
She smiled as she handed him the basket.“Enjoy.”
“I will. Thank you.”
Her smile slid away as she turned, clappedher hands, and started barking orders that made him wish she’dcommanded troops during the war. He was glad to see the yearshadn’t changed her.
Shifting his hold on the basket, he smiled ashe left the kitchen to return to Lexi.
***
He was lying back in bed beside Lexi, withthe rings burning a hole in his pocket, when she woke a few hourslater. Her sleepy, beautiful smile warmed his heart, and he leanedover to twirl a strand of her hair around his finger.
She leaned into his touch before her eyesshifted to the window. When she saw the sun’s rays streamingthrough it, she bolted upright so fast that he tugged on her hairbefore unraveling it. She didn’t notice as she started to swing herlegs out of bed.
“I overslept! Kaylia must be waiting forme.”
Cole grasped her arm before she could leapout of bed. “You have the day off.”
Her head spun toward him, and her browfurrowed. “I can’t do that.”
“Yes, you can, and youare. We’re bothtaking the day off to relax.”
“Cole—”
“You’ve been working nonstop for weeks.Burning out and exhausting yourself isn’t going to do anyone anygood. You need a break, and you’re going to get it. One day awaywon’t hinder your progress. It will probably help you.”
She remained rigid against his hand beforerelaxing and giving him a sultry smile. “And what are we going todo with our day off?”
His body reacted as if she had her moutharound his cock, but he had bigger plans than sex. Though, he wouldmake sure to work it in at some point today. Ignoring the ache inhis dick, he poked the tip of her nose.
“You’re going to have to get ready to findout,” he told her.
Laughing, she leaned over to kiss his cheek.He released her as she leapt out of bed. He admired the sway of herhips as she gathered her clothes and disappeared into thebathroom.
While she showered, he opened a portal andwaited for her to return.
CHAPTER 26
Lexi exited the portal behind Cole andstepped into a realm so green it was like entering the EmeraldCity. Rolling hills vanished over the horizon before rising fromthe earth as snow-topped mountains in the distance. White, fluffyclouds obscured some of the high peaks, but there weren’t manyclouds in the sky.
Cole led her over the top of one of the hillscovered in lush, green grass. As they climbed to its summit, awaterfall came into view. Her mouth parted with a small breath asCole led her toward the river flowing into the waterfall.
Stopping at the edge of the water, Lexileaned over to peer down a hundred feet to where the water streamedinto a pool so clear she could see the purple stones lining itsbottom. A smaller stream traveled away from the pool. There itdisappeared into the rocks of the cliff face a hundred feet awayfrom the waterfall.
More green grass covered the earth below.Red, yellow, and blue flowers bloomed in abundance. The aroma ofthose flowers filled the air with a sweet scent, but it wasn’toverwhelming.
The sun shining down on them reflected acrossthe surface of the crystalline pool and river. She glancednervously at the brilliant orb before making sure she hadn’tstarted to glow.
Cole had instructed her to put up her shieldbefore they left the safety of her room, but she worried she’d losecontrol and it would fall apart. Glancing nervously around, shesearched for anyone else, but the land around them was empty.
“Where are we?” she asked.
“The Gloaming,” he said. “I discovered thisplace when I was barely out of my teens. We’re far from the palace,farms, or any other homes. If anyone else knows about this place,I’ve never seen them here.”
“It’s beautiful.”
