Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59723 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 299(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59723 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 299(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
“Why not just control the wyverns better?”
“He’s not always present when they attack.”
“Sounds convenient.”
Quin’s eyes narrow. “Doesn’t it.”
“You make it seem like the king’s actions come from a place of concern.”
“Do you doubt that?”
“I’ve seen the state of his aklas. They’re in constant pain from standing all day.”
“Is that so?”
“He doesn’t even give them a day off for the spring gala.”
“I’m sure he has reasons.”
“If he weren’t . . . himself, I’d give him a piece of my mind.”
Quin’s lips curl into a half-smile as he places his bishop on the board. “You don’t hold back with me.”
“You’re not that intimidating.”
Quin’s head snaps up.
I turn the chessboard for him. “I mean, you’re moody, but not really terrifying.”
A pawn falls under his touch.
I pick it up, and Quin stares at me as he retrieves it. After a moment, he smiles. “You’re not even a little afraid?”
I pause. The royal city is certainly ruthless, and I fear the consequences of failure—whether in my studies or schemes. But I’m stuck in this game now and there’s no way out but to win. For that, I’ll use all my wit and confidence. I meet his gaze and affect a boisterous laugh. “Afraid of you? Not even a little.”
His eyes gleam as he drums his fingers on the table. “I dread discovering what you might do with this information, but there’s pearl heart in the king’s garden; it can significantly boost one’s energy. It could be a game-changer for the aklas.”
“Really?” I lean in. “Pearl heart? There’s some here?”
“One plant, by the king’s bedchamber.”
“Perfect.”
Quin arches a brow, suspicion sharpening his features. “And how, pray tell, do you plan to harvest this perfect plant from the king’s own garden?”
I lean closer, my voice dipping into a conspiratorial whisper. “When the moon’s my only witness.”
His lips twitch, almost forming a smile. “Foolish as ever.”
“Efficient,” I counter. “You should try it sometime.”
He leans forward, the air between us thickening. “Perhaps I will. Just to see how you fare.”
“Tonight. If you’re still here.”
“I’ll be here awhile, in fact.” Quin’s knight sweeps across the board, cornering the white king with merciless precision.
He leans back, hands folded, his expression unreadable save for the faintest curve at the corner of his mouth. “Checkmate.”
I snatch the white king before he can reach it, spinning it between my fingers with a grin. “You’re awfully smug for someone playing himself.”
“This is just a warmup,” Quin murmurs, his voice holding repressed laughter. His gaze locks with mine. “Next, I play with you.”
It’s a naughty thrill, creeping through moonlight into the forbidden garden. The pearl heart plant stands knee high, its heart-shaped leaves glowing with luminous white spots—and all of it directly beneath the king’s bedroom window.
I crouch near the plant, my feet itching with anticipation, ready to bolt should the window suddenly fly open.
I glance sideways at Quin, my reluctant accomplice in this illicit heist. He leans casually on his cane, half in shadow, his lips curving faintly in disapproval.
“Don’t watch me,” I whisper, nodding toward the trellis-framed window above. Roses might bloom prettily around it, but there’s nothing pretty about what’s behind it. “Watch out for me.”
He shakes his head, disbelief etched across his face.
Ignoring him, I pluck a leaf, careful to avoid the thorns dotting the long stems. A sharp, tangy scent rises into the cool night air. Another leaf follows, and then another, each one sending a giddy wave of satisfaction through me.
When I’ve gathered enough, I clutch the pearl heart tightly and dart away from the house, deeper into the gardens.
Quin follows at his usual unhurried pace, the soft click of his cane against the path growing closer. He finds me at the fountain, one hand braced on my knee as I catch my breath, the other still gripping the precious leaves.
“This is for the greater good,” I say, breathless.
He blinks drily.
“He surely won’t miss a few leaves, and his aklas will benefit greatly.”
“You sure know how to talk yourself into things.”
I grin, shifting the leaves between the pads of my fingers. “How much rule-breaking is this breaking exactly?”
Quin leans forward, matching my whisper. “Bit late to be asking that, don’t you think?”
“Can’t be too serious, surely.”
His gaze locks onto mine, holding it a beat longer than necessary. “You came under cover of darkness. You can’t believe you’re innocent?”
My pulse jumps, but I grin to cover it. “Why did you just laugh like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re imagining what trouble I’ll get into. And enjoying it.”
I eye his easy manner: his lips curling at the edges, his eyes alight with a gleam. I drop my gaze to his hand on his cane and jump slightly. “Stop drumming your fingers.”
“Afraid of me now?”
I clamp a hand around his and meet his eyes. His skin is warm beneath my glove, and for a moment, my mind sticks on that sensation. “You’re an accomplice.”