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)
The door opens and Neil walks in. I stand. Earlier he chose to go with Daniel while Cassie and Brendan stayed with the Cŵn Annwn. They went down to the kitchens to find some food for all of them, and we were going to meet back up in our rooms to decide on which path to take. We’re only certain of one thing. We can’t stay here.
Perhaps we should all go to the mountains.
“Hey,” I begin, looking at my bestie who seems to have found some Fae clothes to change into. “You hungry?”
“Zoey,” Devinshea begins. “That’s not our…”
That is the moment Neil raises a crossbow and shoots it toward my husband.
Rhys is on his feet in a heartbeat, running toward his father.
Devinshea manages to take the arrow in the arm rather than the chest. He groans as the blood begins to bloom, and Neil is joined by a group of Fae I don’t recognize.
I stand and step close to Shy, reaching for her hand.
“Look at his ears,” Shy whispers.
I realize what my husband intended to say. Neil’s ears are longer, pointed in that delicate way of the Fae.
“Neil,” Bibi begins.
But Neil holds out a hand. “In a moment, Bibi. Servants, you can leave or you can die. We don’t wish to harm any of you, but we will. The pretender must die for all Fae to be free. Lee, it’s time.”
Bibi reaches for his coattail, tugging it. “Neil, it is not what you think.”
Lee steps inside dressed in all black leathers and looking dangerous. This is my son and not my son. He is older than my Lee, infinitely harder. He has scars my baby boy never took even before his turn made him perfect again. He frowns at Devinshea on the floor, and his eyes flare at the sight of his twin. Well, his alternative’s twin. “Another by blow, Father? Damn but your wickedness runs true. He could be my twin. He’s evil, you know, brother. Anything he told you to bring you here is a lie.”
Rhys stands in front of his father. “He is not your father. He is mine.”
“Master, you are mistaken,” Bibi says, a bit of desperation in her voice.
“Sir, this is not the king you seek,” Ostara tries.
Lee frowns at the goddess of spring. “You are his fiancée. He’s going to murder you, too, you know. He wants the energy your goddess can give him. That fucking wizard has done the impossible. He’s corrupted Devinshea Quinn further. Well, it stops now. You made a mistake coming back without your witches and your guard.”
“Son,” Dev begins. “I am not the…”
Lee pulls his bow and arrow.
“No,” I yell. “Rhys, do something.”
I hear the beginnings of a rumble from outside.
That’s not the only sound I hear. Growling.
The servants have made themselves scarce, with the exception of Bibi. There are ten Fae guards backing up the alternate versions of Lee and Neil. As the big white wolf begins to stalk inside the dining hall, some of the arrows shift his way.
Neil. He heard something and he’s come. My Neil. We have one shot at surprising them since they are not listening to Bibi or Ostara. “Change, Neil. Show them who you are. Show your Fae version who you are.”
Fae Neil turns slightly, and his eyes widen first as he takes in me, and then at the sight of his own naked werewolf self standing in front of him.
“Zandra?” Neil breathes. “Lee, stand down. Something is wrong.”
“This is our chance, Uncle,” Lee insists and then his bow drops as he sees me for the first time. “Mama?”
Tears pierce my eyes at the emotion behind the word. Like my own baby boy who missed me for twelve years. It’s right there in his eyes. The deep longing for the relationship that was stripped from him. A loving mother. A hand in his. Cookies for his belly and stories at night to fill his soul. He is a man. Perhaps older than my Lee. But the child inside still wants his mother. Will always want his mother.
I step away from the women even as I see green vines starting to creep along the open windows.
“Mom,” Rhys warns.
I shake my head and move to this version of my son. So alike and yet there’s a scar on his chin mine does not have. I stand right in front of him and put my hand to his face, rubbing the deep groove. “Did she soothe you when you got this? I would kiss my Lee’s boo-boos and bandage him up even though I would use vampire blood to ensure he healed. He liked the ritual.”
Lee’s eyes close. “You are not my mother.”
“Not in this time,” I reply quietly. “But I assure you I love you, and I also promise that man who looks like the monster who sired you is not.”