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)
“How?” I’m pretty sure the answer to this question is going to sting.
She is still, as though having a discussion with the goddess in her body. She finally looks back our way. “It is easy to see the purity of your magic. I can feel it. She worries about what she feels coming off the king. One of the reasons the king left the plane was to cleanse himself. I understand why he had to take control of the kingdom. The things his mother and brother did…” She shudders delicately. “However, no matter his reasoning, murder takes a toll.”
“So you believe my father’s dark energy was from the acts he was forced to commit to save his kingdom from my uncle and grandmother,” Rhys says carefully.
Well, we both know that isn’t true, but it’s clear to me Ostara doesn’t talk to the dead the way I do.
And it’s also clear Rhys believes me. Trusts in me.
His energy feeds mine and mine his in ways we do not fully understand.
She nods. “Yes. I know you will hear fearsome stories of your father, but he is not who they portray him to be. I have found him to be a tough but kind man. And a patient one. I do not wish to bind myself to him physically. He is willing to find his affection elsewhere.”
Yeah, according to everything I’ve heard, he does that a lot. I mean a lot. “So it’s to be a marriage in name only?”
“For now. I hope when Ostara is strong enough, my feelings might change.” She shakes her head. “You don’t know that. You can’t be certain.”
Is that what I look like when I’m talking to the dead? Because apparently I look a little crazy, and I do not take that word for granted.
It strikes me forcibly that I haven’t seen a shade in hours. Not since we entered the palace grounds.
I know the Fae are long lived, but this place is ancient. There should be dead around.
“Sorry. She believes we will know when we find our true mate,” Meadow explains. “She does not believe it is Devinshea Quinn, but she intends to honor my will. We need her power back on my plane. It has been infected with blight, and our spring will not come. The wheel will not turn. We are left in permanent winter. The king will fix the problem, and we will open our hearts to him.”
I kind of think that’s a bad plan and Meadow should listen to her inner goddess. “How does he plan to strengthen Ostara?”
“Oh, he is wise and well-traveled. In his many travels across the planes, he met a smart magician who knows much about restoring the spirit and opening doors between the planes.”
Both Rhys and I stiffen at the same time. I don’t know about him, but I am sure as hell filled with dread.
“And what is the name of this magician?” I force myself to ask the question even as every cell in my body knows the answer.
“Myrddin,” she says with a smile. “Myrddin Emrys.”
Well, fuck.
Chapter Fourteen
Zoey
I stare at the food set out in front of us and hope that Bibi told the kitchen staff that now’s not a good time to kill us all.
I’m hungry. My morning sickness is gone and now baby wants some food, but I worry about that cold iron dust. After all, even when growing a baby abomination, one must consider nutrition.
“It’s fine.” Dev stares at me across the table. He glances up at the beautifully dressed servants waiting by the entrance. We’re dining in the most intimate of the dining rooms. I say intimate, but it still seats twenty, and the open-air walls that look out over the grounds make it seem even larger. “I promise.”
I nod and take a bite of the salad, noticing how Rhys keeps staring at our guest. Although I suppose we’re in fact her guest.
It’s weird since she thinks she’s marrying my husband.
“Maybe I should eat in my room,” I say tentatively.
The goddess, who told me I should call her either Ostara or Meadow, cocks her head and sends me a quizzical look. “Why would you do that?”
“I suspect my go…Zoey is worried her presence will offend you since we are engaged to be married,” Dev says evenly.
Rhys and Shy explained the meeting with Ostara, though we’re still trying to feel her out. And to figure out if her Myrddin Emrys is another version of ours. As tales go, this one feels confusing and poorly plotted out. Like the writer was high or something.
Ostara smiles, her teeth a perfect white and eyes sparkling. “Oh, no. I am not offended at all. I’m Fae, Zoey. Even if your husband was the Devinshea I’m going to marry, I would not be offended by his lover. We are not in love. He is simply kind enough to aid me and my plane.” She glances around. “I am curious as to why the vampire is not here. The one I saw you with earlier when you entered the palace.”