Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 151630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 758(@200wpm)___ 607(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 758(@200wpm)___ 607(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
She glances to the mirror, wariness clear in her eyes.
I wave off the fear. “It’s not spelled. It’s only a mirror. I checked it with a charm my baby girl made. She’s excellent with Fae magic, but she comes by it honestly. Her father is a high priest in our timeline. Did you know that?”
Her face flushes, and her voice goes low. “I heard this. That he serves both courts.”
I nod. “He does, but he prefers the Unseelie. Don’t get me wrong. He wouldn’t deny his Seelie brethren, but if he had to choose it would be the Unseelie. They’re less pretentious.”
She bites her bottom lip, and her eyes go wide again.
Damn it. Communication is going to be so much fun here. “What’s your name?”
“I am Grenelda.”
“Are you Seelie?”
“Of course.” She winces as though something hurt her. “I do have some Unseelie blood, but please do not tell the king. My father was part troll. I can pass.”
I feel for her. And I’m glad apparently no one ever asked the question directly to her because it appears she cannot lie. Not even to protect herself. “There is nothing wrong with being part anything. Except asshole. Your king’s got a lot of asshole in his background.”
That earns me a slight smile.
Though if she can’t lie, I need to give her truth to tell. “Although he is handsome and seems kind.” I wink at her. “I could definitely come to love him, if you know what I mean.”
Her smile widens. “Yes, Zoey. That is good. If I am asked, that is what I will report to him.”
I doubt the king will ask her, but I’ve given myself cover. I can get to the question I really want the answer to. “Do you know what happened at the temple last night?”
She nods. “Oh, yes. Or rather I have seen what happened to the temple itself. It’s so beautiful again.”
I didn’t see it when we came in. “What was it like before?”
“Before last night or before the king took over?”
“Both,” I say.
“It was beautiful. Peaceful. It was open to all when his grandfather was king,” she begins quietly. She frowns. “I am not usually able to speak so much. Usually the spell only allows a few words.”
“My son’s magic is the language of Faery. His magic got through the wards last night. I felt it.” Danny and I talked about how Rhys and Shy finally giving in to longing would affect the sithein. Years and years of pent-up need had flowed out the night before and despite the wards, it would affect everything here. “I’m sure the king will tighten it up again when he realizes, so perhaps you should all remain cautious.”
“You are not here to take her place.” Grenelda slaps a hand over her mouth as though she can’t believe the words came out.
I am so pleased I can’t begin to express it. If Rhys’s magic can break the king’s stranglehold, I can work with that. “I am not. I came here to see my mother-in-law and ask for her aid. You see, in my timeline, Myrddin Emrys stole my husband’s crown and twelve years of our lives with our kids. I need to find a friend of mine who might have the only magic that can counter him and free us, but I need the ancient amulet. The one the royals use to talk to their ancestors. I certainly didn’t come here in hopes of dumping the husbands I love in favor of a bad version of one of them. What do you think?”
I give her the question because I’m sure it’s easier for her to reply that way. Even without the spell, they’ve had years to learn when not to talk, when their voices could cost them much pain and suffering.
“I think he wears it most days,” she replies quickly. “I do not know how often he uses it, though. He doesn’t believe in listening to his ancestors. Especially when they give him bad news.”
“Do you remember the last time he did use it?” I’m surprised since at least in our time, it is only to be used as a last resort. Dev is worried they’ll be angry with us, but I don’t know where else to turn. Finding Sarah and Felix and Mia is the most important thing I can do.
She nods. “He asked how he could get back into his temple. He was so angry the day he realized he couldn’t even walk onto the grounds, and neither could anyone who follows him.”
“Follows him or is forced to work for him?”
“I cannot walk on the grounds, either,” Grenelda admits. “At least I couldn’t before. I am afraid to try.”
The spell would have the king’s signature on it. The temple’s magic would recognize it. “Do you know if Myrddin can go into the temple?”