Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 52437 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52437 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
No way am I going to stay calm as I’m drained of blood. I hate blood. The smell, the sight, the thought. I’m fucked.
“Alwar, why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“I did not want to alarm you or build this up in your head. Slowing your pulse is key. It is the only way to win.”
“I’m weak. I’m malnourished. I’m twenty pounds underweight.” A first in my life.
“This is not about that. It is a game of mind over matter. A test of wills.”
I shake my head. “I wish I’d known.”
“I believe in you, Lake. Otherwise, I would not have staked my entire kingdom’s future on you before.”
I look up and stare into his crisp blue eyes. My heart makes a small flip. Is it because he’s so beautiful or because he reminds me of his oldest brother? The answer is, I don’t know. I haven’t been given the time to figure it out. Nor will I. The moment he finds out what I’m up to, he’ll hate me. Probably forever. But his people will be safe. So will mine. I’m following his lead and doing the right thing.
I’m going to win the Blood Battle and demand all the kings sit down with me to write up new rules that share power. Fairly. Equally. They’ll each get one vote on matters, no matter their size, and they must share the water. They must figure out how to grow or raise food. No more raiding and killing. Trading only.
And why would they ever agree to this?
In exchange, I’ll keep the water flowing. I’ll even try to find a way to get them more. I’m betting that the retaining wall on my property, the one that keeps the estate from flooding when the stream swells after a heavy rain, can be rebuilt to syphon off floodwater. No one downstream in my world will notice.
The No Ones have already agreed to back me because they’ll also have a seat at the table. The Mountain People are on board, too. This means I have the support of two of the fiercest groups.
My only risk is Alwar. He wants that throne back.
I look away.
“Lake?” he says, his voice low.
“Yes?”
“I must know.”
“Know what?” I ask.
“Will you ever truly want to be my wife?”
I swallow hard. Even if what I’m about to do wasn’t an issue, we can’t have sex. We can’t have children for the same reason. He sees my humanity as a weakness. “Come on. Do you really see a future for us?”
“I would not have married you otherwise.”
“Not even to save your people?” Because that’s how he pitched it to me.
He slowly shakes his head. “Marriage is far too sacred. It is not a weapon to deploy in times of war.”
“But I thought—”
“You thought wrong. I did not want to admit it in front of my brother, but I married you because you are strong. I feel a connection with the fighter in you.” He lowers his voice so only I can hear. “I wanted you so much that I allowed Gabrio to bed you. Simply so you would be mine. It will eventually cost me the throne when word gets out.”
“You’re telling me,” I say, “that if you regain the throne, you’ll lose it anyway? Because of me?”
“Naturally, Tiago will take my place as leader of the War People. Which is why I am so pleased you found a way to spare his life.”
“Tiago? King?” He lacks the noble gene, the one that puts himself last.
“I’m certain he would be a good leader, as all Wall Men have been. He will also be a good husband to you, should I perish.”
My spit sticks in my throat. “Can you repeat that last part?”
“It is customary that next in line for the throne inherits the former ruler’s wealth, including their spouse and children.”
Errr. “You left that part out during our vows.”
“You said you did not want to go through it all.”
“Not true! I asked what you were leaving out.” I knew there was more to the marriage situation. “And then you told me there was no time for that. The wall was under attack.”
He rubs his stubbled chin. “You are right. I did fail you. Timing was not optimal. However, the tradition stands.”
Nope. Not for me. But I’m not going to waste my energy on that right now. “I just need to understand when and where this Blood Battle will happen.”
“You have already received a reply from the Blood King. He accepts the challenge.” Alwar jerks his head at a Flier on top of a tall yellow tree, a sort of pine with needles and glowing orange berries, a few yards away. The crispy charcoal-covered dragon is holding a red ribbon in its mouth.
“How did it sneak up on us?”
“I am certain it has been watching you on your journey here. Benicio has spies everywhere.” He jerks his head at a nearby clump of sticky black reeds.