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)
I jump back and scream, a strangled sound. There’s a gnome climbing through the window, his small leg hoisted over the sill.
Shim groans and falls back on the bed. “You have the worst timing, Duffy.”
The gnome named Duffy grins, lechery in his eyes. “I think I got real good timing, me brother. Perfect timing, actually. Hello there, darling. Did me brothers bother to mention me? Probably not since they ran away with no thought to me.”
The gnome frowns and then sort of loses his balance and almost falls out the window. Lach catches him with one hand and drags him back in, setting him on the floor. He tosses me the sheet. “I did think of you, Duff. We both thought about how much you snore as we stepped over you on our way out.”
“It was just a little nap,” Duffy protests. “And Roan is going to kick your ass when he finds out you’re holed up with some village cutie when you’re supposed to be looking for this princess woman. Not that you aren’t a fine specimen of womanhood, lovely lady. I’m actually surprised. I thought you two were all about the waiting.” The gnome winks. “I’m their brother. Don’t let the size of the man fool you. I’m actually quite creative. And these two are all spoken for. I’m totally available.”
Shim and Lach stare down at the gnome.
“Fuck me, she’s Bronwyn Finn, ain’t she?” The gnome gets to one knee. “Your Highness. I am so sorry I just had that fantasy about sticking me face in between your bosoms. I did not realize they were royal bosoms since they seemed so very, very nice and not at all high and mighty. Not that they aren’t mighty…”
Duffy’s words are cut off by a light slap to his head by Lachlan. “Shut up about my wife’s bosoms, Duff. She’s going to be your queen. Show her due respect.”
Duffy huffs, his small face beaming with innocence. “I totally respect her bosoms.”
Shim sighs and moves to pull on a pair of pants. “There’s nothing for it. If Duffy’s here, then Roan will charge in soon. Let’s allow our Bron to get dressed and perhaps we can talk over a nice meal. Are you hungry, love?”
I’m not, but I’ll do almost anything to get a moment to myself. They’re overwhelming me. The events of the day wreaked havoc on everything I know. I need a moment to process my own thoughts. I need to take stock. And I really want the comfort of clothes. Sympathy. I can play on their sympathy. “Please, Shim. They did not feed their prisoners well in the jail.”
Sure enough, both of the men pale and scramble to get into their pants.
“I’ll bring something up to you. You rest. We’ll have to move by nightfall.” Lach tugs his shirt over his head. I can’t miss the blood stains.
“Move? Where?”
“To Aoibhneas.” Shim shoves his feet into boots and then hands me some clothes. They carefully folded my dress, it seems. “There’s a gap in the planes. We can get back home. We can make sure you’re safe.”
I open my mouth, but Lach is in front of me, staring down, his dark eyes full of will and command.
“No arguments. You will go home.” He softens slightly. “Let’s discuss it when you’ve had something to eat. Sweet Bronwyn, please don’t look at me that way.” He’s quiet for a moment, his eyes sliding away from mine. “Does my face frighten you?”
He’s worried about a few scars? The scars on his face don’t bother me at all, though I wonder how he got them. They look a little like burns, as though sparks of fire drove across his face. But they’re small things compared to how perfectly lovely the rest of him is. “Your face doesn’t scare me, but everything else about this does. I don’t know what to think. And I’m not leaving my home plane. If you know who I am, then you have to know I cannot leave here. My people have need of me.”
And I ignored that need for far too long. I just now decided to stand up and become the princess I should be. If my brothers can’t reclaim their throne, then I will do it for them.
“Yes, your people have need of you.” Shim runs a hand down my arm. “They need to meet their future queen.”
There will be no talking to them. They obviously have their minds made up, and I’m not sure they will tell me the truth even if I ask. Gillian’s words were odd to me, but it seems to me that my mentor has political ambitions. She said something about uniting the Fae under Lachlan and Shim. Their marriage to the last Seelie princess would go a long way in securing those rights. I’m not even sure Beck and Cian are alive, but I must protect their throne just in case.