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)
Dev frowns, remembering his part. “Did I say I wanted wine, servant? My mistress is waiting.”
Bibi bites her bottom lip and holds the wine goblet with trembling hands. “But this is the royal wine. It was made for you.”
What is happening?
Bibi is one of the sweetest souls I’ve ever met. She’s also brave when she finds the right leader.
Dev sighs. “I do not want wine right now, but my mistress does. I am attempting to be patient with you.”
Bibi nods and starts bringing the wine toward me. And then she trips. Or rather pretends to trip, and the wine goes everywhere. She gasps and curls into a ball. “I am so sorry, Your Majesty. So sorry. I will go and bring more wine.”
She starts to crawl back.
Dev’s head shakes, and it’s clear to me he doesn’t know what to do with her. Maybe if she was any other servant he could yell and threaten, but Dev loves Bibi, too. She is part of our Fae family. This whole mission is going to be hard on him. “There’s half a bottle, troll. Just clean this up and I’ll serve her myself, Bibi.”
She stops and with tearful eyes turns his way. “You know my name?”
Dev stiffens and pulls his arrogance around him. “Your name does not matter, but of course I know it.”
Big, dark eyes narrow. “You recently made a decree that my kind are below even the lesser Fae and do not need names. We are to be called Troll or Servant because that is our place.”
I don’t like this version of Dev, but I’m starting to see some serious doors cracking open when it comes to Bibi.
Dev pales and takes a step back. He’s saved from having to say something by the door opening and Rhys walking in.
“Pa…Your Majesty, I’m taking Shy to…” He stops when Shy clears her throat and sends him a pointed stare, which makes Rhys sigh. “I would request Your Majesty’s leave to take my wife to our rooms, please. It’s been a long day traveling, and she needs to rest.”
Shy snorts. “Oh, there won’t be any resting.”
There would be some serious ass kicking in my son’s future, and I’m here for it.
That’s when I notice Bibi staring at my son. Her jaw drops. She knows him.
I think she might be scared for him.
Oh, we’re in trouble.
But Eoin didn’t seem to know Rhys. He also didn’t seem surprised the king would find a bastard kid and drag him into his seemingly never-ending party.
Danny leans over, staring down at the stain on the floor. Red wine looks too much like blood on the white marble floors.
Dev waves his hand dismissingly. “Feel free to do whatever you like. We’ll have dinner late. I expect you to entertain me, son.”
Rhys turns and walks out, and I notice Bibi trying to sneak out as well.
“Bibi, I don’t think you should leave yet,” I say, my tone gentle because it’s time to start feeling her out.
My Bibi is an excellent spy. No one pays attention to her. No one knows she’s coming.
“Neil,” Daniel calls out.
Bibi nods and pulls a rag from her belt. “Of course, mistress. I will clean the mess.”
I get to my knees in front of her. “My name is Zoey, Bibi.”
Her big eyes glance at Dev, and she shakes her head. “I have no name. I am a troll and a servant. I serve the sidhe.”
Dev groans and turns away, staring out the window.
“Don’t touch anything, Bibi.” Daniel stands over us as Neil walks in. He points to the wine. “Smell that.”
My bestie frowns. “Polite much?”
“Smell that, please.” Danny gives Neil a nod. “Is that what I think it is?”
Neil takes a long smell.
“It’s metallic.” Cassie is next to her brother, standing by the door. She might not be able to change easily, but she has a wolf’s sense of smell.
Brendan nods, his mouth full of whatever the trolls left in the outer rooms. I note he’s got an apple in one hand and some cheese in the other. Wolves. I have no idea how Neil managed to feed two teenaged wolves.
Grief strikes. It hits in waves. Sometimes I think I’m fine and then I realize I didn’t feed my teenaged kids. I didn’t get to complain about them being human garbage dumpsters. I didn’t watch Albert cook for my babies and call him a kitchen god because he never complained.
I take a long breath. I can’t now. I have to push it aside and cry later when Danny and Dev can hold me. Now I have to keep moving. “Why would the wine smell metallic?”
Dev moves in, looking over Daniel’s shoulder. “Cold iron?”
Good for Bibi. A genuine smile lights my face. “Bibi, are you trying to assassinate the king?”
Bibi pales and takes a step back, running straight into Neil, who has the biggest grin on his face as she tilts her head and looks up at him.