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)
“If we find the sword, then we find the sword,” Kendrick says slowly. “But who’s to say what will happen between finding it and getting to Erith? There are too many variables, and like I’ve said before, if I can choose, I’m going to go with the oracle every time. If we can go to Erith with you, one fated to bring him down, or with the sword he can’t defend himself against, I’d rather have”—he grins, dimples popping—“well, both.”
“We still need Felicity to search for the Hall,” Skylar says, “because our time is running out. We don’t know when they’ll tap the next novitiate for the Seven, and taking them down when they don’t have a seventh will be much easier.”
Kendrick points to my bowl. “Eat.”
I scoop up a bite. “Yes, sir.” My stomach is still unsettled, and I’m not sure about eating, but the stew is rich and flavorful and seems to warm me from the inside out. I scoop up another bite right away. “So if only Wild Fae royals know how to get to this Hall, why would Misha share the location with Felicity?”
Remme chuckles, and Skylar grins. “Males will share most anything with a good lover,” she says.
“A lover?” I sputter. “But he thinks Felicity is me!”
“If I had to guess, he’s been carrying a torch for you for a while,” Remme says.
I gape. “Then you’d guess wrong.”
Remme shrugs. “Either way, the king is falling fast.”
“But when this is all over—when I go back . . . do you expect me to keep this secret?” I shake my head. “No. No one told me she was planning to seduce Misha in my form. This isn’t okay.”
Remme shoves his bowl to the side and leans forward, elbows on the table. “Once you kill Erith for us and Felicity is out of that castle, you can tell Misha and your sister and whomever else whatever you want about all this.”
And then they’ll all know I was part of this. Did I think I’d never have to face the consequences of my choices? Did I think no one would ever find out?
Will it even matter by then? Will we finish our mission before my time runs out?
“Don’t pout,” Skylar says. “That king is delicious. Tall, dark, and powerful? Consider it a favor and just pick up where Felicity leaves off.”
I draw back. “You’re disgusting.”
“No. You are unimaginative. Word has it your sister fancies marrying you off to him. Embrace it. You could be a queen.”
“Hard pass.” I glance toward Kendrick. Surely he’ll have something to say about her outrageous ideas, but he’s turned toward the window and is frowning out into the setting sun.
“At least as the Wild Fae queen, you’d be safe,” he says, not looking at me.
My heart sinks. When we kissed, I thought there was something between us—something more than the one-sided feelings I’ve been wrestling with since seeing him again—but he hasn’t touched me since I woke up. Not in that way, at least.
Kendrick pulls a vial from his pocket and puts it on the table in front of me. “Natan left a potion for your glamour if you want it.”
I flick my eyes up to meet his and glance to his elven ears. The rest of them are glamoured, why wouldn’t I want to be?
“It’s probably a good idea that you continue with the disguise,” Skylar explains. “Humans are safe here, but there are too many people to guarantee they’re all trustworthy. Only a select few here know about our mission, and it would be better if the whole village didn’t realize we’re traveling with the shadow princess.”
“Finish your dinner,” Kendrick says. “I’ll meet you all outside after.” He strides out of the kitchen and disappears down the hall.
“Way to go, Skylar,” Remme mutters, elbowing her before standing and taking his bowl to the sink.
“I didn’t mean to strike a nerve.” She glances toward the stairs and grimaces. “Think I should let him be or go talk to him?”
Remme frowns. “Let him be. He’s struggling.”
“With what?” I ask before I can stop myself.
Skylar exchanges a look with Remme before leaving the table and taking her dishes to the sink. “Hale is a good person,” she says. “You won’t find better. He’ll figure it out.”
She didn’t answer my question, but I don’t push.
Remme studies me. “I’m glad you’re okay, kiddo,” he says softly. “You really worried us.”
My vision goes blurry, and I have to look down at my bowl to hide the tears burning my eyes. I never expected these people to care about me. I never expected their opinion of me to mean so much. “I’m fine,” I whisper.
“You are most definitely not fine,” Skylar says, “but you’re still with us, so we’ll figure out the rest as we go.” She squeezes my shoulder. “Sorry for being an ass about the sexy king thing. I forget not everyone can joke about stuff like that. I’m just jealous.”