Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
My nerves intensified as we navigated winding hallways into an unfamiliar area of the catacombs. The damp unleashed a tide of unease.
The room itself appeared chiseled from volcanic glass, its vaulted ceiling disappearing into darkness. A polished obsidian floor mirrored the surreal glow of the space’s centerpiece: a rainbow-shaped stream of fire that stretched from one side of a raised dais to the other. The flames burned in unnatural hues of sapphire and violet, swirling in mesmerizing patterns but casting no heat.
Thin ribbons of white smoke coiled upward, twining with thrums of power, the two twirling through the air in a slow, reverent dance. Shadows moved along the towering black walls, stretching and twisting like spirits. How I tracked them when they were the same color as the stone, I did not know.
King Ahav and Queen Sandrine stood on the other side of the circle, both cloaked in purple fur coats and grim-faced. And yet, seeing my parents together after learning of their love story awoke the little girl in me, who only wanted hugs and smiles.
Ten soldiers fanned out at their sides. No sign of Ian. I probably should’ve cared about that, but I couldn’t get past the beauty of the royals. What a power couple.
How different would my life have been if I’d been born here, with them, raised by him and known by all as Princess Moriah Ori’Emet?
Not that I could ever regret my years with Daniel Shaker. He was and always would be my person. But here, now, a single mistake could cost me everything.
The flames drew my gaze once again, a force I couldn’t resist. “Where did this come from?”
“No one knows,” Ahav replied. “It was discovered twenty-five years ago, when Ian’s father restored the catacombs.”
This might be the very room Morris had stored Andrea’s coffin. If the legend the Guardian had shared was real. “Are you sure it’s not the Ember of Everlight?”
Mom flinched at the mention of the much-desired treasure. Did she fear the curse?
“The Ring is not the Ember,” Ahav said, “but perhaps the two hail from the same world. We placed a captured monstra within the flames, and it did not crystallize.”
Good to know. “Have either of you entered?”
My mom pressed a hand to her heart. “My mother-in-law, the former queen, had me tossed inside to test my feelings for her son—” Ahav winced, and she paused to pat his chest. “It’s not pleasant. I have vague memories of screaming. And I don’t know why I’m telling you this, but there’s something about you.” She frowned, her voice trailing off, then she shook her head and rallied. “Ahav pulled me free before I answered any questions.”
My eyes widened. I loved that Mom seemed to recognize me, but hated what she’d experienced. And at the hands of my grandmother, no less. “And where is the former queen now?”
“Dead,” he said, looking beyond me. Eager to see my opponent?
A plan formed. I’d wait for Ian’s arrival to issue my…retraction. No, not a retraction, I decided, but a request for more time. Time to interpret what I’d seen in my vision, just in case Ahav was right, and I’d missed vital details.
“Majesty.” A soldier stepped up to my side, inclined his head in deference to the royals, and announced, “We are unable to locate Guardian Ian.”
Ahav went still. “Find him. Now.”
“Yes, majesty.” The soldier hurried out of the room.
Ooooh. Plot twist. If Ian bailed rather than face me…
Relief poured through my veins. A turn in my favor.
Minutes passed. When the soldier returned, he came alone and red-faced.
“My deepest apologies, Majesty, but Guardian Ian is nowhere to be found. His mount is missing as well.”
Fury flashed in King Ahav’s eyes, tinged with hurt.
“There’s more,” the soldier added with a quake. “He left a message.” Trembling, he unrolled a scroll.
“Read it,” Ahav barked.
“Majesty.” The man cleared his throat. “If you haven’t guessed, I won’t be attending. The oracle spoke accurately. The monstra are mine. They always have been. Their purpose predates your crown and will outlast it. When my letter concludes, you will order searches, interrogations, and perhaps executions. And you should. But they’ll change nothing. Every action you take from this moment forward will be a reaction. Measured, anticipated, and already countered. I will remove you at a time of my choosing. Not publicly, not gloriously, but so quietly your people will wonder if you failed or abandoned them. Expect pain. And when the kingdom falls, I’ll step in to stabilize what remains. Fear is more reliable than loyalty. Until our next meeting, Ian.”
Anguish stormed across Ahav’s features. My chest squeezed with compassion.
“He is mad,” my mother breathed out.
“He hates me,” Ahav stated softly.
Yes. But why?
The king fisted his hands. “Guardian Ian is now a traitor and an enemy of the crown. Send out my best troops. Find him and bring him to me. Dead or alive. Preferably dead.”