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)
But right now, I don’t particularly like him. “Myrddin killed my family. He wiped them and all of their unique gifts out of existence in a single night. He burned down the house I was born in, the house I was raised in. He left me with nothing. If you think for one second that I will hide away in some palace while my brothers and sisters fight this war, you don’t know me at all. You don’t get to put your prized pussy in a cage so it’s waiting for your return, Prince Rhys.”
“Shit,” Dev says under his breath.
“I have no notes, baby girl.” The queen gives me a chef’s kiss gesture. “That was a ten out of ten take down.”
While I appreciate the support, I can do without everyone watching us like a soap opera playing out. “I wish you luck, Your Highnesses. I’m going to those mountains, and I’ll hopefully see you back home soon.”
With that I turn and start walking. All three hounds come with me, though the one who has been at the queen’s side looks sad about it. I’ve only taken a few steps when Cassie rushes in and joins me.
“This sounds like some Lord of the Rings shit, Shy,” she says with a grin. “I’m in. Consider me your Samwise Gamgee, but with a machete and a bunch of weapons I know how to use. I’m full up on the cold iron bullets, if you know what I mean.”
I stop. I hadn’t considered anyone would really come with me. “Cassie, it could be dangerous. I have to go all the way to the mountains and hope Arawn is waiting there for me.”
“Cassie didn’t have to dismount since I will be going as well.” Sasha looks to the king. “Daniel, if I might ask a boon. Could you perhaps ride with Rhys so Shy and Cass have a horse? I think it might be easier for you to find another ride than for us, and those mountains look to be at least a day away. Perhaps more. It will be much faster if we are on horseback.”
“Sasha, while I understand Shy’s anger with my son, I think we need to take a minute and talk about this.” The king sounds so reasonable.
“You are not running off to visit some faery mountains, Cassandra Thomas.” Neil is not. He changed and is staring at his daughter, completely heedless of the fact that he’s not wearing a stitch of clothes.
I note that Brendan does not join his dad. He stays behind and in his wolf form.
Cassie frowns at her dad. “Why? Because I’m weak since I can’t shift? Because I’m a girl? I would like to point out it wasn’t the King of All Vampire who took out the chimera.”
“I was going to, though,” Daniel offers.
Cassie ignores him and looks to the queen. “How about it, Your Highness? Want to make this an all girls trip?”
The queen gives us a grin. “That could be fun.”
I catch a glance at Rhys staring at me like he can make me do his will.
He cannot.
My heart aches. I didn’t think we would ever be at this place. I go on missions with them. I don’t hide in the background. Why now? Does it even matter why he’s suddenly decided I’m not competent enough to fight in a war I’ve been preparing myself years for?
“Z, I know he’s screwed this up and he’s not handling it well, but remember he’s your son,” the king says.
“And remember that every minute we stay here, we risk getting caught by that palace guard,” Devinshea points out. “They will eventually catch up with us. We need to figure out where we can hide while we decide what to do.”
“Or we can have some faith that this is what Arawn meant for us to do,” the queen says quietly. “He has no reason to fuck with us. If Myrddin’s plan works, he’ll be cut off from his place of power. Or shut in. He’ll have to decide where to live, and either will cause him and his people harm.”
“He could have given us a heads-up,” Dev says under his breath.
“I have to believe that whatever we need is in the palace.” The queen goes serious, her brow furrowing. “This version of Seelie Fae likely has an amulet, too. What if I’m supposed to use this amulet to find the door to Sarah’s plane?”
I’m glad the queen is talking sense. “I know I’m supposed to visit those mountains.”
“And I know I’m supposed to protect you,” Rhys says with a finality that scares me. “Even from yourself.”
The ground beneath me shakes, and before I can take a breath, a thick vine shoots up and wraps itself around me. It tightens but I can breathe, though anger chokes me. It rises inside me in a way it never has before. Rage.