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)
Daniel is busy checking the place out. And by that I mean he’s casing Devinshea’s rooms, trying to figure out if Evil Dev keeps the important amulets in the same place his mom did. Neil is going with him as backup, and Sasha is doing his Sasha thing. Hanging out in shadows and listening.
“He does not eat,” Rhys explains. “Have you never met a vampire before? Is that why you’re so curious about him?”
“He feels familiar to me,” she says. “Ostara would like to meet him.”
See, it’s weird when she talks about herself like that. She told us her Fae name is Meadow, but she often goes by Ostara now. Simpler, she said. Nothing about this situation feels simple to me. “I’m sure that can be arranged. So you are from another… Wait. What did you mean by even if my Devinshea was yours?”
Ostara gives us all a beatific smile. “I read energy very well. I thought that was the case, but I have never met Rhys nor his goddess so I could not be sure. Being in the room with this Devinshea makes it all clear. Your energy is off, and not in a way that would let me know you come from another plane. Though I feel that as well.”
We all stare at the goddess, wondering exactly how to handle the situation. If she goes to the guards, will they believe her?
“Perhaps we should hold this discussion for a time when we are alone,” Dev says, glancing at the servants. Telling me not to give anything away.
Ostara waves a hand. “Oh, the servants in this dining hall are all spelled so they cannot hear unless it is a command for them. Devinshea says it is because of the rebellion, to protect both them and him. The rebels won’t hurt the servants if they know they can get no information from them. The king has been hurt many times. I will help him and this land heal.”
“I’m not so sure he deserves your help,” Dev says with a sigh. “Fine. Since you already seem to understand we don’t belong here, Ostara, I am the High Priest of the Fae of a plane connected to the Earth plane. This is my goddess, and the vampire you are so interested in is my partner. Can you get us home to our timeline? We are in danger here. It is clear to me you have faith in this timeline’s Devinshea Quinn, but I find myself horrified at the things he’s done and worry what he will do if he returns home and finds me and my family in his palace.”
“We can explain,” Ostara says. “He is a reasonable man.”
“I know the spell you are talking about when it comes to the servants,” Dev replies, his mouth a flat line. “Did he explain that it is permanent? That those he uses it on can never again hear anything but the commands of the masters of this palace?”
Ostara pales, the pixies in her hair stilling. “We do not have such spells on my plane. You must be mistaken.”
“Bibi, could you tell the goddess what you know of the spell and why you were not subject to it?” Dev asks.
Bibi stands, showing herself. She was sitting in shadows by the fireplace, keeping watch. “I am not allowed to speak to the king’s fiancée.”
“But why?” Ostara rises and gets to one knee, holding out her hand. “I love all of the Fae. Little trolls and brownies are my dearest friends on my home plane. They are beloved. I hate the term lesser. You are not less than a sidhe. You are beautiful, little one. Why would I not wish to speak with you? I have been worried that the trolls and dwarves and gnomes are afraid of me for some reason.”
Bibi stares at that outstretched hand for a second and then slowly places her own in it. “Mistress, we are not allowed to speak with sidhe unless we are serving them. It is the king’s command. He hates the lesser Fae. I am only not subject to the spell because I typically work in the gardens, and it is necessary to discuss how and when we will plant. The king gave up his Green Man powers years ago.”
“Asshole,” Dev says under his breath. “I would like to kick my own ass. Why would I give up my fertility powers?”
“For darker powers that are not compatible,” Bibi explains.
Ostara stands, tears in her eyes. “I do not understand. Devinshea told me it was his mother who made these rules, and he is attempting to change them. He told me society changes slowly, but he thought marrying me would help speed things along.”
“Devinshea lies,” I say and look back at my husband. “The other one, of course. I am curious what happened that changed you here. It sounds like your childhood was relatively the same. At least you had your mother and brother. Bibi, do you know anything about why your king is so angry with the lesser Fae?”