Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
“This is a point well made,” Varic said, brows furrowing as he looked at me. “In fact, as suggestions and reminders have repeatedly gone ignored, I have initiated a new rule that your hendr will accompany you everywhere going forward.”
“I knew that was coming,” I muttered under my breath.
“Sorry?”
“It’s fine, though, really. I get it. Being here has taught me that I have to keep myself safe so my blood will always remain solely for you. To have it taken from me without my consent violates both of us.”
He nodded. “Yes, and absolutely not.”
“What?”
“You need to stay safe because I would be broken if anything were to ever happen to you. I am not myself when you’re not with me and have been informed that no one enjoys my company when I’m worried for your safety.”
Glancing at Hadrian, he gave me a pained nod of agreement.
“And Zev has been bereft with your absence,” Varic told me.
“My prince, bereft is not the word I would use,” Zev groaned loudly.
“You must stay safe for my peace of mind,” Varic insisted. “And as for your blood, it is mine, yes, but were it ever taken from you without your consent, you have to know that I would never blame you for that, and my wrath would be solely focused on those who did you harm and violated your trust.”
Gently, Zev sat Cirillo up, moving him so my knee was no longer pinned under him.
As soon as I could, I turned my whole body into Varic and wrapped my arms around him tight. “I knew you wouldn’t hate me if I hadn’t been able to keep Ødger off me.”
“Never,” he whispered even as he clutched me to his chest.
ELEVEN
Once we came up the stairs and were back where we started, in the throne room, I was surprised at the sheer number of people Varic had brought with him, and more than that, at who was there: Alrek, exactly who I thought should be, as well as Kaan, Messina’s kenningar, and, unfortunately, the queen, whom I was terrified of being there. I had promised Decimus he would never see Isabella again, and yet there she was, right out of my worst nightmare, in the only place on earth where he could get to her. Where she could be killed. I bolted across the floor to her, and she caught me in her arms.
“We need to get you out of here,” I told her, feeling the panic rising in me. There was a pounding deep in my chest that told me to run. “Decimus wants to kill you.”
“Yes, I know,” she agreed, her voice as soothing as always. “I told you that, remember? It’s because of Leda. Now, is there any way at all to get you a hot bath, because you smell…interesting.”
“My queen,” Keres said from beside me, on the floor at her feet.
“Oh, you’re wearing my gift,” Isabella gasped, delighted. Keres rose, and the two women clasped hands. “I’m so pleased you brought the skirt with you.”
“It’s an inspired article of clothing,” she said, swishing the skirt that brushed the floor back and forth so all the things gathered deep in the lining tinkled together. “I will never travel without it.”
I looked from the queen to Keres and back again. “You set me up.”
Isabella smiled. “Only a bit.”
I needed to focus, but my brain was so scattered from lack of sleep and the drug still filtering through my system. “You wanted Keres taken from Gaius,” I said to Isabella, “but he would never grant her to you, only to the king.”
“Yes, and only if Messina were to increase his stipend from whatever ridiculous amount it was to the GDP of a small country,” she chuckled, waggling her brows at me. She was so pleased with herself.
“And now you have Keres.”
“No,” Isabella told me. “You have Keres, and she will protect you as she used to protect me. She will be your new courtier, will she not?”
I nodded. “I told Ødger she was, and we’ve sealed the deal since.”
“That’s excellent,” she said happily, turning to Keres. “Thank you for using your gifts to take care of my Jason and Cirillo as well. The Lady Carice—”
“Is a mother with a mother’s care for her child, my queen. Look on her with more compassion. Just as she did not wrong Nerilla, neither did she wrong you.”
After a moment, Isabella tipped her head, and Keres did as well.
“Jason, perhaps we can secure that bath,” Isabella suggested again.
“And one for me as well,” Keres chimed in. “For all of us.”
“Is Emil here with you?” I asked Isabella, my train of thought returning. I felt unsteady and had no idea why.
“No, he had to stay at the palace to watch over my courtiers. I don’t like to leave any of my people unattended at any time. My champion must always be guarding them.”