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)
“It won’t work that way,” I argue. “If he closes the door, it won’t simply be for one timeline. That door to Heaven is not ruled by time. It will affect everyone.”
Eoin shrugs. “Not how he explained it to me, and honestly, I don’t care. I’m tired of watching a man I once admired humble himself for a woman. He could have been great, was great. When he slaughtered the creatures he thought murdered his beloved, he had a backbone. He took out his competition, and it was a magnificent thing to see. I had some small hope when he announced his betrothal to Ostara that he might let go of this ridiculous dream that he could get you back. But it was all another plot. You are the only thing he thinks of, and if the wizard didn’t point out that we need you, I would kill you here.”
Well, of course he needs me. I’m sure he wants to kill me himself, but I’m stuck on a couple of words. “Thought killed me? What does that mean?”
Devilshea holds my hand, trying to get me behind him, but it doesn’t matter since we’re surrounded. He’s not thinking straight, likely because of the arrow in his chest. “He is talking about the creatures my brother sent to assassinate Zandra when I refused to marry. He thought to make it look like a random assault by goblins and trolls, but I knew he sent those monsters after her. I knew they had to be taken out. Animals. They aren’t like us. Some can be managed, are necessary, but the wicked had to be removed from our society.”
Ah, but that wasn’t what Eoin said. I’ve found the villain always wants credit in the end. Sometimes it’s their downfall. “It was you.”
Eoin’s smirk widens. “It was me. But I made sure to make it look like goblins tore her apart. It was fun. Such a dumb bitch. All I had to do was pretend I was taking her to you and she followed me. She cried, you know. She called out your name, Devinshea. She truly believed you would come and save her. She believed right up until the moment I slit her throat.”
The king practically vibrates with rage and starts toward Eoin, but he doesn’t get far. He groans as another arrow hits his back, the thud a sickening sound to hear.
“Don’t fucking kill him,” Eoin complains. “We get nothing if we don’t deliver him.” He stalks up to us, completely unafraid. “You’re going to do everything the wizard tells you to or we’ll kill her. Am I understood? If you do what he asks, you’ll be allowed to take your bitch to the Earth plane and eek out whatever existence you can find there.”
He’s lying. There’s zero chance Myrddin lets any of us live. Oh, he might have as long as he was certain none of us could get back to the right timeline, but it’s clear to me he wants more than to leave us in prison. He’ll kill me simply to take out the threat Harriet poses, but I’m not about to point that out. I need to stay alive as long as I can because my Devinshea is going to be in trouble, too. Daniel will find a way to come for us. He always does.
I put up a hand to stop Eoin from coming too close. If they kill this Dev, they might not need me. “He’s going to do everything you ask.”
“Is he now?” Eoin asks, a challenge in his tone.
The king nods. “As long as you don’t harm her. But Eoin, you should know I will be a good boy until I get off this plane and ensure her safety. And then I will find a way to make you pay.”
If that dire threat concerns the guard, he doesn’t show it. “I’m sure you will try. I think I’ll close the doors to this plane for a while. Until I’ve taken power and turned this place around.”
“You won’t be able to do it without a Green Man,” the king says with a bitter bite. “I should know. I lost this place the day my temple decided I was unworthy. The temple will not open again.”
“It already has.” Eoin looks like this is a problem he has already solved. “Your bitch here brought along a fully Fae Green Man. A fucking elemental. All we have to do is capture him. We’ll cage him in the temple and his magic will feed our lands. The wizard is going to help us. He says he has a spell that will keep the Green Man in stasis, and he won’t give us any trouble.”
“The temple doesn’t work that way,” the king argues. “It’s not merely looking for power. It wants a partner. It wants…companionship.”