Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
“Hopefully, the letter explains what has taken him so long to reach Carsodonia,” I stated as Reaver drifted forward, hair damp from the melting snow.
“It does not.” He dropped the letter onto the table. “And it’s going to take him longer. Apparently, he’s waiting for…” His jaw flexed, and his scent changed, becoming heavy and bitter. Sorrow. He cleared his throat. “He’s waiting for Tylan to join him.”
The breath I took was sharp. “And why is he coming?”
Emil looked at me as if I should already know the answer, and I did. His arrival made sense in the worst sort of way.
“Who is Tylan?” Reaver asked, helping himself to an apple that had been left in the fruit bowl.
Emil’s gaze lowered. “Delano’s cousin.”
Ty wasn’t just Delano’s cousin. He was now the last of that bloodline, and he was coming here.
The draken halted, apple halfway to his mouth. “Damn.”
Yeah.
Damn.
Delano never talked about the family he’d lost in the den. And then when he lost Ronan and Preela… That family had lost enough.
Reaver returned the apple to the bowl.
“So, he was notified of his cousin’s death?” Attes questioned from where he stood by the wall. “Does that mean Valyn’s wife was also notified?”
“Ty would’ve known—he would’ve felt it.” I dragged a hand over my face. “Eloana… she doesn’t know. That kind of news needs to be delivered in person, and…”
And I didn’t need to say more. For different reasons, neither Cas nor Malik would leave to do it. Or could.
Attes nodded. “I can do it.”
A frown pulled at my lips as I crossed my arms. “From what I know, Eloana has no knowledge of Valyn’s true bloodline. So, I don’t think her seeing you and then receiving that kind of news is a good idea.”
“You have a point.” He hesitated a moment. “But waiting much longer runs the risk of her learning.”
I knew that. Gods, did I ever know.
Reaver dropped onto the sofa, and I did something rather miraculous and didn’t tell him to get his ass off what had become my bed. At least there was something between the cushion and said ass.
“What’s the slightly concerning news?” I followed up, turning my attention back to Emil. “Or was that it?”
“Yeah, no, that wasn’t it,” he said, then went quiet.
I waited as he suddenly found the golden embroidery on the front of his surcoat fascinating. “And?”
“I’ll tell you,” Reaver announced. “It’s your best friend, the Dark Lord.”
Clearly, someone had been spending time with Millicent.
Tension crept into my neck. “What about him?”
Reaver leaned back, kicking his legs onto the upholstered stool. “He’s missing.”
I blinked once, then twice. “What do you mean he’s missing? I know he hasn’t left Carsodonia. I can feel him.”
“He’s not missing,” Emil said, casting a narrowed-eye look at the draken. “He’s just not where he’s normally at.”
As in he wasn’t in the Great Hall. And when he wasn’t there…
Well, shit either ended up in ruin or in ashes.
Fuck.
My stomach knotted. “Please tell me he has not discovered where Callum is.”
“As far as I know, he hasn’t,” Emil replied. “We know where he is.”
I frowned. “Then he’s not missing.”
“Yeah, I never said he was.” Emil jerked his chin at Reaver. “That one did.”
Reaver lifted a shoulder.
“So, where is he?” The options were limitless, as was why his presence in any of those locations could be concerning.
“He’s on the Cliffs of Sorrow.”
My gaze shot to Attes. “What?”
“That’s where he is,” the Primal said.
I stared at him.
“He’s been going up there a lot,” Attes added, and fuck if that didn’t shock me again. “I considered checking in on him but thought twice about it. He’s going to say something that irritates me, and I didn’t want to end up having to punch my great-grandson.”
“I don’t see a problem with that,” Reaver commented. “He could benefit from several punches.”
“Good luck to the fool who carries out that benefit,” Emil murmured. “Don’t think it’ll be the Dark Lord who ends up bruised and bloody.”
“You all need to stop calling him the Dark Lord,” I bit out, unfolding my arms.
“Why?” Emil laughed, but it wasn’t his normal deep laugh. I hadn’t heard one of those since shit had gone down. “He’d probably love it.”
“Which is why he’d benefit from a good punch in the di—”
“Enough,” I snapped, silencing the draken. “Believe it or not, he wouldn’t be humored by it.” My stare met Emil’s. “As you should know.”
The Elemental ducked his chin, having the decency to look embarrassed.
“I’ll go see what he’s up to.” I pushed off the desk.
“Should we wish you luck?” Reaver asked.
“Should you go fuck yourself?” I countered.
The draken snorted.
Attes’s eyes met mine briefly as I passed him. He didn’t say anything, seeming to be the only one in the room who knew when to keep their mouth shut.
Entering the narrow hall, I avoided the vines. Wayfair was eerily silent, empty of voices, the flutter of wings, and the croaks of ravens.