Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 132138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 661(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 661(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Gillian frowns and a weariness comes over her. “It’s not even close to the same. They don’t know me. They simply want a consort to strengthen them and elongate their life. I mean nothing to them. And I doubt I shall be able to get away. I thought about trying to run.”
“Why don’t you?” If she’s truly miserable at the thought, then Gillian should run. She surely knows how to survive. She knows the plane and lived here for a long time.
Gillian looks back at the tree line. “I will never get the chance.”
I follow the line of her sight and there he is. Tall and dark, with broad shoulders and a brooding stare. He’s larger than his partner, though he’s the subordinate soldier. Harry Riley stands watch over his treasure. No. Gillian isn’t getting away. Not if Harry has anything to do with it.
“I heard them talking.” Gillian’s voice sounds hollow. “They intend to take shifts, and the other vampires have their orders. I am not to be allowed privacy. They must keep their eyes on me at all times. Roan told me he won’t touch me until my father blesses the union, but he insists that it will happen. I am going to ask my father to find them another consort. Surely there will be more once the plane is open. If your brothers do their jobs, I can be free. Unseelies who can bond are rare. They would be happier with a Seelie mate.”
But the look on Harry’s face tells me he’s already invested in the one he has.
“Well, then, sister, if you manage to talk your father out of selling your body for his convenience, then you’ll be better off than me. I have no father to look out for me, and I doubt your father made a deal with my brothers that didn’t include my marriage.”
“Gillian. It’s time to go back.” Roan comes out of the woods, a frown on his face. “We have a long day tomorrow. Come back to bed.”
“Bastard,” Gillian mutters under her breath. “We’ll see who has the upper hand when we return to my kingdom.” She turns. “I wish you would forgive me, but I know you won’t. Please don’t take it out on my brothers. They’ve waited all their lives for you. They don’t know anything else.”
Gillian shuffles back, seeming determined to take her time, and Roan seems equally determined to be patient. The vampire follows her when she walks past him, giving his lieutenant a nod. The lieutenant nods back and then his eyes are on someone different—me.
“He won’t leave.”
I’m startled by the voice, but then notice what I didn’t before. The gnome sits a few feet away, his back against a huge tree, his bare feet in the water. Duffy. His name is Duffy and I was told he’s Lach and Shim’s brother. Not by blood, but by their mother’s kindness. It was easy to see both men loved the gnome during our long walk. Lach, in particular, took care to see that the gnome remained close to him, picking him up when he fell behind.
“He’ll stay there and make sure you don’t run,” the gnome continues. “I heard them talking about it earlier. Their main job in life right now is making sure you and Gilly make it back to the Dark Palace. You because you’re the future queen and Gillian because she’s their prize.”
I think about saying good-bye and trying to find some solitude, but with Harry’s eyes on me, I doubt I’ll be left alone. I step over to Duffy and sink to the ground beside him. The water gives off a definite chill. “Aren’t you cold?”
“No. Ain’t that funny? All me life I’ve complained about the cold and now I can’t feel it. I know I should be cold, but I just can’t feel it. Must be the spell.” The gnome speaks in a monotone, shaking his head a bit.
“Are you all right?” That spell was filled with dark magic. I can’t imagine what it felt like. Duffy’s screams still ring in my ears.
“I’m not good. I know that. I just gotta find a way to be all right again. I think I have some things to do before I can be right.” He sighs, a long breath that seems to hold a world of regret.
“It was brave what you did.” That bolt of power was meant for Lach and the gnome took it full blast.
“No, it weren’t. It was me duty. I know Lach’s not me brother. There’s not a drop of blood between us, but it’s me job to protect him. He’s going to be the king, and he’ll be a good one if you would take the time to teach him.”
“I hardly doubt he needs to learn anything from me. He was raised to be king.”