Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“The academy is going to see this. You could be expelled,” he says.
“Expelled for being awesome at fighting? Okay, sure. If they want. I don’t want to go back there anyway. I keep telling you guys. I like my job. I want to build my own life. The academy has treated me like they own me my whole fucking life, and they don’t even like me. I don’t think I care about them anymore. And I don’t think I care about this whole king thing, either. Sorry, I know you guys are really into it, but…”
“Yes, you could say we are really into it,” Einar says. “You could say we have dedicated our lives to the cause of restoring the proper bloodline to the throne.”
“Maybe you should get a different hobby. Who cares about this king stuff anyway? I bet neither king, the fake one or the real one, have any idea who any of you are. Why don’t you all chill?”
Kirin has been laughing since I suggested they get a new hobby. He is leaning against the wall, weak from amusement. Even Rafe is smiling.
I think I’m starting to get through to these guys. Einar’s behind the curve, but he’s older and I guess that’s what happens when you get old.
“Good point,” he says. “Maybe we should all chill. I know. Let’s all go down to Delivery 2 Go and get jobs as motorcycle couriers. Let’s forget about the theft of the throne, and make sure people’s doll collections get to them on time.”
“People really like their doll collections, and they don’t even know the king. I bet I could be in the same room as the king and not even know it. I could probably run the guy over and be none the wiser.”
Rafe is grinning broadly now, and Kirin is practically weak with hysterics.
“What’s so funny?” I ask the question, slightly confused. It feels like there’s something going on, a joke that I haven’t been let in on.
“You’re so close to the truth,” Rafe says.
“Okay. So what’s the truth?”
I really don’t know what’s going on. I thought they’d whip my ass when I got back, covered in blood, but the vibe of the room is variable right now. Kirin can’t handle whatever the hell it is, and every time I look over at him I feel myself about to burst into laughter as well, though I don’t know what the joke is.
Rafe looks amused, which also makes little sense, because I know he’s pissed. He has to be. I told him I had to go to work to fulfill my destiny or whatever and then nearly got murdered for what turned out to be a family-sized box of rice crackers, a new pair of boots, and a subscription of fruits.
Only Einar makes any kind of sense to me, and that’s because Einar being annoyed with me is starting to feel like a new kind of home.
“Should we tell her?” Einar looks around the room.
“Tell me what?”
The others nod.
“Yeah,” Rafe says. “Tell her. Whatever. It’s all so far gone at this point.”
“This was supposed to be a big reveal, you understand,” Einar says. “A dramatic moment, in which your life changed forever in an instant. We wanted there to be fireworks.”
“Why? Fireworks are stupid and they scare animals.”
“Rafe’s the true king,” Kirin interjects, before Einar can say it.
“Thank you, Kirin,” Einar sighs. “Yes, Rafe is the true heir to the throne.”
“What?”
“Yes. It’s true. I am.” Rafe smiles.
“And that means you are the princess of Eclipse,” Einar points out. “Or would be, if Rafe were on the throne as he should be. You would live in the palace. You would have the ability to help steer this city in ways you see fit…”
It’s my turn to laugh. I didn’t know they were actually capable of humor. I always assumed Einar wouldn’t know a joke if he fell over it. Kirin is still chuckling to himself, and his mirth only increases as mine does.
“Sure, Rafe’s the king. And I’m the emperor.”
“Darcy…” Einar says my name warningly.
“Rafe’s the king,” I repeat. “Sure. He’s pretty, but come on. He takes orders from you all day, and even I talked him out of his plan this morning. He was going to stay on me all day, but he got tired of trying to watch me pee and let me go to work. He’s not exactly king material, no offense, Rafe.”
“None taken,” Rafe says, though I am sure some has been taken.
“Darcy…” Einar repeats my name in a lower tone this time.
Rafe shakes his head, grinning. “Let it go, Einar. She’s too smart to be fooled that way.”
“Damn straight I am.”
At that moment, Einar’s phone rings. He checks the caller, then lifts a finger to all of us, as if we should all enter some form of stasis while he does this.