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)
“He’s been around court since we were both children. When he reached his majority, he became one of my mother’s guards, serving under Padric. Who I assume I killed as well.” Dev paces, his eyes looking around and taking in the changes in the room. While the structure of the palace is basically the same, there’s some serious masculine energy to the place now. The whole place is decadent and dark and slightly sinister. I fear what we’ll find in the temple. I’m also surprised by the lack of plants. Everywhere my Devinshea goes, things bloom and grow. This palace is devoid of vegetation. “He is not someone I suspect has ambitions to lead. The Eoin I know is funny and kind. He’s married with a daughter.”
“Well, I don’t trust him. In this timeline he obviously has ties to you, and he didn’t like the way you handled him,” Danny points out. “Though he also didn’t seem entirely surprised. You should play him like a somewhat trusted advisor when he shows up. I think we should modify why I’m here. I can be a lover, of course, unless we suspect your evil counterpart isn’t as open minded as you are.”
“I would certainly prefer to keep you close,” Dev insists.
“A bodyguard has to stay close. If these windows are an indication, your counterpart has a security problem. Sasha, the wolves, and I can be your solution,” Danny offers. “It could give me some access I wouldn’t have as your plaything.”
I don’t like the sound of that. “I can be security, too.”
It’s Danny’s turn to groan. “Baby, I need you to do that thing where you show your boobs and no one thinks you can blow up the world. And then you blow up the world.”
I can’t exactly argue with him. “And Rhys is your bastard child you found out on the planes?”
Dev shrugs. “I have no other explanation. He is damn near my twin. Unfortunately, the women of the group must be attached to a male. I doubt I’m a feminist on this plane, and I happen to know a lot of Fae think they know where a woman’s place is. It’s likely why I easily took down my own mother.”
Miria faces misogyny even with a crown on her head. “All right, so you picked me up at a rave on another plane and hired some security. Shy is Rhys’s wife or girlfriend or whatever, and Cassie is my sister. All of that is fine. But why would you completely ditch your guard and what are we going to do if Evil Dev has some way to communicate with home? We don’t have a witch with us.”
“I’ll have to figure out if there’s a mirror network,” Dev says with a sigh. “I wish we could trust someone. Anyone.”
There’s a knock on the door and Sasha opens it. “They’ve sent the tea and wine you requested, Dev…King Devinshea.”
Dev nods. “Of course. Send them in.”
I sit on the bed and try to look bored and idle as the three small servants walk in carrying trays that look bigger than their bodies. This Dev seems to have an obsession with “lesser” Fae as servants. I saw the brownies cleaning the palace, and now a duo of small trolls from the kitchens. They wear a version of a uniform complete with their spindly tails poking out of their skirts.
I sigh as they place their trays on the tables in the corner of the room. I lean back, looking to Devinshea. “When are we going to be done with all the security stuff, Your Majesty? You didn’t bring me here to sit in on boring talks with your bodyguards.”
I notice one of the troll’s ears perks up. She’s turned away from me so I can’t see her face, but her body has gone slightly stiff as she opens the wine.
“Well, lover, I was hoping you didn’t get killed.” Dev’s tone has gone all smooth and silky. “At least not until I’m bored with you.”
Such an ass. And he can’t ever get bored with me. I sigh. “Well, at least I’ll go out happy.”
He winks my way. “Serve my mistress, troll. She’s from an outer plane and has never tried faery wine before.”
The troll who brought in the fruit and cheese is already walking out. Like she can’t wait to put some distance between her and the royal apartments.
The one who brought the wine turns, and her eyes are wide. “You do not want wine yourself, Your Majesty?”
Those eyes are super familiar. Bibi. I met her the first time I went to Faery. She was a gardener, and the palace mean girls decided to play a joke on me by making her my social secretary. The joke was on them. I quite like a little troll. I grew up around the huldrefólk. She became my friend. When I visit Faery, Bibi is always there to welcome me and make my trip easier.