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)
“Vampire, can you fix this body?” The king’s soft question breaks through my misery.
Daniel doesn’t let me go, but I feel the growl go through his body. “Leave us be. The more I remember you are here, the less chance you have of surviving the experience.”
“He was different, too,” the king says ignoring the warning. “My Deinny wasn’t fierce. He was gentle and kind, and I loved him, too. When Zandra died, I wanted to be with him. I wanted to drown myself in his comfort, but I was taught that was wrong. In my head he tempted me. I didn’t kill him in a rage. I lied about that. I had him executed because I was awash in guilt and grief, and I couldn’t handle how I felt about him.”
“Precisely why he should be here and you should not,” Daniel shoots back.
“Danny,” Dev admonishes. And then I feel a change and Shy is back in charge. She looks to the king. “He can, Your Highness. Daniel can fix the damage to your body.”
“Could he fix it even if it was worse?” the king asks, and his eyes take a far-off look. “What if the damage was enough to release my soul? Could he fix it even then?”
“I am not going to fix you. You just admitted to killing my counterpart here, and you had a hand in Zandra’s death, too,” Daniel announces.
But he isn’t thinking. “He might be able to help us get home.”
The king shakes his head and moves closer to us. He has Dev’s bravado. “I know nothing of timeline jumping. That was all the wizard. I can walk the planes, but I cannot fix the time you would be in. And Dein…Daniel is right. I did have a hand in my love’s death. Because I did not honor the love I had for her. Or him.” He turns to Shy. “Is it possible, Lady Death?”
“Don’t call her that,” I say.
Shy holds a hand out. “It’s okay, Mother. I’ve learned that word is not so frightening. And yes, Your Highness, it is possible. But you are not dead.”
“The vampire can fix the damage and I can begin again?” There’s a hitch to the king’s breath that makes everyone in our party stop.
As we realize what he is offering.
I move out of Danny’s arms, my heart hesitating, scared to believe. “You would give your body to him? Shy, how is it possible?”
“The body is nothing more than a vessel for our souls. The body will recognize our Devinshea,” Shy explains. “I don’t even think I’ll have to guide him. Once the king is dead and he exits this plane, Dev should be able to sneak in and be alive again. Arawn promised us this is not the way Devinshea dies.”
Hope bursts through my system, and I bite back a cry.
“You want this?” the king asks me, stroking a hand on my cheek. He doesn’t flinch when Danny growls.
“Do I want my husband back?” I ask, searching his eyes. “Yes, but I can’t ask you to do this.”
“I can,” Danny counters.
The king smiles. “I think my life would have been different if my Deinny had your Danny’s fierceness. I think it might have brought out my own before it was too late and it was twisted. I don’t know if we can start again, my loves, and I only know I do not wish to hurt you more than I have. In this moment you are my Zandra, and I will do anything to make you smile one last time.”
He steps back, and I notice he has the cold iron dagger in his hands.
The world seems to stop as he holds it to his chest.
And plunges it into his own heart.
He falls to the ground. I rush to get to him, dropping to my knees as he holds the dagger in.
Blood slips from the corner of his mouth but there’s a smile there. It is nothing like the smirk I’d seen before. This was a bit of real joy.
“I hear them.” Tears slip from his eyes. “They are quite cross with me. But they waited. I think Deinny is going to have words.” The smile goes brilliant. “Even if you haul me to Hell, at least I’ll have your hands on me again. Yes. I will tell him. Lee.” He turns his head and looks for the son he never acknowledged. Lee gets to one knee but says nothing. “I leave you the kingdom. You’ll find everything you need in the mountain. It’s open now. Share what I’ve horded with the people and bring the Seelie back to the glory I took from them.”
Lee nods solemnly. “I will, Your Highness.”
“Just once, Lee?” he asks.
“I will, Father,” Lee offers.
“Then I can go.” His eyes glaze over, and I swear I feel the moment his soul leaves his body.