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)
“Our sister already survived one war. She shouldn’t have to do it again,” Beck argues.
“We can’t leave her there.” Cian stares at the vampires.
The vampire mercenary steps forward. “You won’t get another shot at this, Your Highnesses. I know that negotiations will take a while, but if you allow the vampires to enter a full alliance with Torin, he’ll have access to all their technology. Think about it. Do you want to go up against a guard armed with sonic weapons when you have a band of peasants at your back? Even waiting a month could be dangerous.”
“It won’t take us a month.” I’m not about to lose this argument. “All we need is a few days to get ready.”
“I’ll leave today,” Shim promises.
Julian shakes his head. “She’s my niece, too, but we can’t risk it.”
“She’s our sister,” the kings say in one voice.
“And she’s a princess of the realm. You can’t have it both ways,” Dante returns, his face harsh. “You have to choose, cos. Choose now. You can be kings or you can be quiet family men who put their sister first.”
Beck goes red, whether with rage or shame, I can’t tell. “You know I can’t do that. Torin won’t allow it.”
Dante jumps on the words. “Then your choice was already made. Damn it, Beck, it was made the moment you were born. You are not an ordinary man. I know it’s unfair that you’re not able to think of your family first, but you have a kingdom relying on you.”
“More than a kingdom,” Julian says quietly. “All of the planes are at risk. You didn’t ask for this, Your Highness, but it is your burden to bear. The question is will you bear it or should we find another to take your place? I know I, for one, will not allow the planes to fall because your heart is too tender for the task.”
A loud clap of thunder shakes the walls of the palace. A storm is gathering outside, and it sounds brutal. Even the floor shakes a bit. Lightning lights the windows, electrifying the sky. Rain begins to beat on the roof, though moments before there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It seems the rumors are true, and the warrior king can call the storms to his aid.
“Now who’s overreacting?” Cian says with a hint of a smile. “You know they’re right, brother. We can love Bron all we want, but we’re killing her if we don’t take our throne. We’ll get our crown back or we will die. There are no other options. The time has come, and I welcome it. I want it to be over with so we can settle down with our Meggie.”
“Or we’ll settle her into a grave.” Beck’s voice is tight. The rain softens, lessening to a gentle pattering on the roof.
“This life or another, we’ll be with her,” Cian promises on a sigh. The kings of the Seelie Fae stand together for a long moment, their brotherhood apparent.
Beck nods, then brings his deep gray eyes up to catch mine. “You’ll go then. I don’t really have to ask you, do I? You’ll do it because she’s your bondmate.”
Father stands, a hand on his forehead. “I cannot let my heirs go. I love my daughter. The idea that my Gilly is alive fills me with joy, but I can’t sacrifice my heirs. I will send others.”
Julian puts a hand on my father’s shoulder. “Then Lach and Shim will find another way, and they will be alone.”
Julian knows us well. My mind is already working. Now that we know where she is, there will be no holding us back. We will get on that plane one way or another. “We’re going to find her, Father. You can’t stop us.”
“We will have her,” Shim says, his voice deeper than before. His fangs are out, and for once my brother looks savage.
If the evidence of our vampire half bothers the Seelies, they don’t show it.
“Save our sister,” Cian requests.
A wild thrill goes through me. Yes, the time has come. For the Seelies to face their fate and for me to meet my mate.
Chapter Five
Bronwyn
Night falls, creeping across the fields like a mouse edging away from a predator. The shadows grow across the wheat until all is darkness, with only the silvery moonlight to illuminate the swaying crops.
I sit in my tower, overlooking what is left of my kingdom.
“We’ve been in tougher spots, you know.” Gillian walks into the room, a fresh quilt in her hands. The days are still hot, the sun branding everything in its path, but the nights are beginning to cool.
I will be so warm between my Dark Ones. They never allow the cold to seep into my bones. I stare at my bed. It’s almost time to sink into sleep and a world where I am loved.