Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 114925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
“It was for me,” Giselle piped up, stirring her soup. “Personally, I find Astan’s fight to reclaim his world, and his woman, deliciously romantic. Overcoming eternal slumber to be together.”
“That’s because your heart is so pure, my darling.” He kissed the center of her palm.
“I agree with Giselle.” Felix’s low bass gave the words added weight. “Love is worth fighting for.”
Compassion rose within me. The guy had lost his wife. His beloved.
“I’m still dealing with shock,” I admitted. Perfect opening. “From gods I’d once considered a myth to toxic berries to invisible force fields, everything is new to me.”
The emperor didn’t take the bait before a third course was delivered. Tuna tartare with avocado and sesame soy dressing, according to Cyrus, which was better than the soup.
“Earlier, when Mr. Vyle ushered me to the temple to meet with Cyrus,” I said, trying again, “I noticed your necklace, Giselle. Such a lovely key.”
Cyrus settled a hand on my thigh and squeezed ever so lightly. Oops. Guess I’d bypassed subtle again.
“Isn’t it?” She grinned ear to ear. “Piven gave it to me.”
I waited, hopeful for another tidbit, but she lapsed into silence when a servant rushed over and bent down, seeming to whisper in the emperor’s ear. Though the masked woman made not a sound, unable to speak, he understood the message.
“Excuse me,” he told us. “There’s something in need of my attention.”
Another servant hurried to pull out his chair, allowing him to stand with ease. As he strode off, an idea sprouted.
I gripped Cyrus’s thigh, hoping he understood my message: Cover for me.
His brow wrinkled with puzzlement, but this wasn’t the place to explain. I pulled my attention inward. If Domino could pull my spirit from my body, I should be able to shove it out on my own.
I expected a battle, but it was as easy as slipping a hand free of a glove. One moment I was seated beside my boyfriend, the next I stood within the table.
Cyrus must have recognized the change in me, because he occupied Giselle with talk about baby names. Grateful for him, I whisked along the same path the emperor had taken. It was a relief to discover he hadn’t gone far. I could only be separated and unresponsive for so long before others noticed, despite Cyrus’s best efforts.
The emperor and Mr. Vyle conversed in the sitting room.
“The boy. Miller,” Mr. Vyle said without a speck of emotion. “He was a Soalian. The only one of the bunch. His pritis was much smaller than expected. He must have teetered on the brink of reinfection.”
I pressed a hand over my aching heart. So I’d been right. Miller was the one. I wondered if a smaller pritis explained why I’d sometimes sensed his connection and sometimes hadn’t.
“And the girl?” the emperor prompted, as unconcerned as his executioner. “Winslet.”
“She accepted Astan’s deal.”
Curiosity grabbed and shook me. What deal?
“Excellent. She’ll accompany us tomorrow. Astan wishes the royals to behold the Rock’s progress,” Emperor Dolion said. “We’ll leave the trainees here. Call it a day of mourning or a time of refreshing. Whatever you feel is best.”
Mr. Vyle blinked with surprise. “You’ll be forced to use your key.”
“Yes.” The emperor cast a pining glance toward the dining room. “But I won’t deny our great god his request.”
Well, well. No need to try to steal Giselle’s key this evening, risking everything. I’d just accompany the royals in spirit and witness the key in action. Learn how to use it. Then I could steal it.
“Soalians still fight to bypass the shield,” Mr. Vyle pointed out.
“Good. Let them. Before the trip, we’ll set up an array of pritis poles near the base. Glowers can never resist saving the lights that belong to their precious fallen.”
“I’ll see to it personally.” Mr. Vyle took a step backward, intending to leave, only to pause. “Shall I cancel tonight’s gathering?”
What gathering?
I didn’t hear the emperor’s response. My bond to Domino buzzed, as if coming back online, snatching my concentration. Between one blink and the next, I found myself sitting in a chair, peering at Ember, who lay in a soft, comfy bed, propped up by a mound of lace-covered pillows, with a quilt draped over her legs. The bright glow of a bedside lamp chased shadows to floral wallpaper and heavy velvet curtains. Her hair was tangled, her cheeks newly hollow, and her skin ashen, but she was awake. A book rested on her lap, its pages slightly curled, as if it had been held too tightly for too long.
How in the world had I gotten here?
“—judging time correctly,” she was saying, “he’ll become Astan’s host within the next three days.”
“Word is spreading among the rogues.”
Domino’s voice hit my ears. I was inhabiting his body, as before? But how? He didn’t currently inhabit mine.
“They’ve learned odds are high that Cyrus is the chosen one,” he continued, unaware of my arrival, “and they’re considering executing him before it happens.”