Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 123190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
I need to focus on the matter at hand. I pull my attention back to Tynan.
He’s watching with that curious cocked brow again.
“What?” I ask, but my cheeks are already on fire.
He shakes his head. “It’s not my business.”
“You can ask anyway.” Because if I’m completely screwing this up, I should know now.
Tynan hands me a towel, his gaze jumping to me, then Misha. “I’m just wondering what’s changed between you and Misha.”
“Nothing’s changed. What do you mean by that?”
He shakes his head again. “It’s not my place.”
I want to push more, but I bite my lip. Obviously, there’s a tension between Misha and me that wasn’t there between Misha and the real Jas. That never should’ve been an issue. I’m letting my personal attraction get in the way, and it could ruin everything.
“Drink lots of water today,” Tynan is saying, “and make sure you eat a good breakfast. Once we get some meat on those bones, you’ll take to the training much faster. You have a natural talent.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” Misha says, wandering over flanked by his training partners. He grabs a towel and wipes the sweat from his chest.
I drop my gaze to the ground.
“Speaking of which,” Misha says. “Breakfast will be served in an hour on the dining terrace.”
I don’t lift my eyes from the dirt, too afraid I’ll stare. “I’ll take my breakfast in my room, thank you,” I say. Be Jas. Be distant.
“Fine,” he says, “Eat breakfast alone. But be ready to ride an hour after.”
I snap my head up and find him staring at me, looking cocky as hell, like he just won this round of chess. “Why?”
“Your sister needs me to make a queen of you,” Misha says. “And a queen doesn’t hide in her rooms while her court is in peril. She goes out and finds answers.” He flashes me a quick, completely fake smile and then strides from the training yard and back into the castle.
Two hours later, Misha bursts into my chambers without bothering to announce himself. “We have a change of plans and won’t be leaving until after lunch.”
I frown at him. “Please, come in. Make yourself at home.”
He grins, those russet eyes full of wicked amusement. “I am home.”
“I could have been undressed,” I mutter.
“Disappointed by the missed opportunity?” he asks. I gape at him, and he grunts. “I saw your handmaid in the hall. She told me you were ready. Calm down.”
“Next time just send the message with her.”
“And miss these moments in your delightful company?”
Misha is just Misha, Jas said. He’s my sister’s best friend, she said. Nothing about this constant flirtation, playful irritation, whatever. How can Jasalyn speak of him as if he’s just another member of the fae royalty whom she can’t be bothered with? He’s magnetic. Anytime he’s near, I find myself staring or fighting or wanting him to tell me exactly what he’s thinking.
I give him my back and fix my braid in the mirror.
“We’ll have to travel by horseback,” he says. “It’s not an easy ride into the mountains, but the exercise and fresh air will be good for you.”
“Where are we going, exactly?”
“I told you. We’re looking for answers.”
I finish tying off my braid and fold my arms. “Are your responses always so oblique?”
Misha mimics my pose, rocking back on his heels. “Don’t you want to know if the rumors are true? If Mordeus lives?”
I draw in a ragged breath.
“That’s what I thought.”
“How . . .” I lick my lips, trying not to seem too eager. “Where will you get these answers?”
“Unlike your sister’s court, mine hasn’t been embroiled in wars for centuries, which means many of our wisest elders have survived. Today, we see Gaelynn, Jewel of Peace.”
“That’s her name? Gaelynn, Jewel of Peace?”
His lips twitch. “Her name is Gaelynn. Her title is Jewel of Peace. You might understand the concept of titles if you attended to the duties of your position rather than just hiding in your rooms.”
The criticism is a reminder of who I’m supposed to be, and I sigh heavily. “I still don’t see why I have to go.”
“I need you there,” he says. He throws himself into an upholstered chair and taps out a beat on the arms. “You represent the Unseelie crown. I realize that might not matter to you now, but someday you will be expected to serve an active role as the shadow princess.”
I drop my gaze to the floor. “My sister is the crown. I’m nothing more than a human girl who—”
“You won’t be human for long, Jasalyn,” he says softly. “And I know that’s not what you want to hear, but it’s past time that you prepare for that.”
“Isn’t that what we were doing this morning? With the training?”
“Training your physical body has nothing to do with your magic.” He drums his fingers, as if it’s difficult for him to be still. “I’ve asked Amira to meet with you tomorrow morning. Her gifts will help you access your powers—help bring out latent abilities.”