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)
“They control the guards for Torin,” Maris explains. “If you don’t kill the guards as well, even with the hags gone, they will continue to fight and continue with their mission to kill you and your brothers and everyone who is against them. Even now Torin is pulling them back from Aoibhneas since you’re here. They will guard the palace now and they will be in place when the kings arrive. Goddess, tell me they’re bringing an army with them.”
I hope so, too. “I know the Unseelie are sending a force. And from what Lachlan told me the village will come.”
Maris groans. “I hate that village. They’re all insane. Aoibhneas is where the crazies go. The mountains do something to their brains. And I heard some of them prefer to walk about naked. I pray they bring weapons.”
I want a few answers. “Why are you doing this?”
Maris’s cornflower-blue eyes turn down. “I was a foolish girl.”
“You hated my brothers.”
She shakes her head. “I hated the fact that my father sold me to them. I was chattel and nothing more, and Cian couldn’t stand the sight of me. And quite frankly, Beckett Finn scared me. I’d heard rumors that he liked to hurt his partners.”
“I explained that, Maris.” Father’s voice is a tortured groan.
“I know, but I didn’t understand at the time. I wanted a way out. I was in love, you see. I loved my maid. We grew up together and somewhere along the way, I realized she was everything to me. We kissed when we were sixteen. The day before I was sold to your brothers. I was scared I would lose her. I thought Torin would be easier. He would reward me for helping him and send me on my way and Anna and I could be happy.” She takes a deep breath. “I did it all because I loved a girl. A girl who Torin killed because she wasn’t pure. Your father found me. He forgave me. I don’t know why.”
“Because death clarifies all things in life, Maris,” my father says, his voice warm. “And I know that forgiveness is the greatest gift we have to give and a thing we should pray to receive. Hating you wouldn’t have solved anything, but reaching out and offering absolution did. It brought us here. It will bring us victory.” His gaze turns back to me. “Do not misunderstand me, daughter. I have not given up the after with your mother because I want vengeance. I gave it up because I want my children to know peace.”
Maris frowns. “Well, I want the bastard dead, and I don’t care how it happens. I would have done it myself but killing Torin doesn’t take care of the hags, and they’re worse. Your father figured out what you are long ago and set Niall out to find you. I’ve done my duty and kept that bastard busy, but I’m ready to be finished. I’m ready to face Beck and Cian and whoever they’ve married and accept their judgment.”
Maris wants to die.
My father cocks his head sideways as though he hears something the rest of us can’t. “They’re coming. All of you out. Bron has to face this alone. Bronwyn, they won’t kill you. Stay strong. They think that by eating bondmates’ souls they can take the psychic power into themselves, but they can’t hear you. When they’re through, reach out and find strength in your brothers and sisters. They wait for you.”
Niall and Maris are already out the door and my father fades.
I reach out, but to a different mind. I reach out to Lach and Shim. I feel their love before the door opens and the hags fill my world.
I shut it down because my husbands don’t need to know what is happening to me.
Deep in the night, when the agony is done, I wonder how much more I can take. They bombarded me again and again with spells. Some take my strength, some my will. The worst is the one that robs me of all my joy.
Call to them.
My father told me to. Apparently I called all of my life, so it makes sense to do so again. I can’t call to Lach and Shim. They would be terrified. I have to find strength another way.
Hello.
A simple thing. A greeting, but it’s all my mind can handle.
Hello, I am Erin. The voice is quiet, but I hear it all the same. And I feel a tiny spark of energy.
I am Wes. Again, a voice and a bit of strength shared among prisoners.
I am Mina.
They come when I call. A hundred voices with sparks of strength that alone would be nothing at all, but together, they bind me in will and power, re-forming my soul. They give what they can and connect together through my brain and heart.