Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 151630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 758(@200wpm)___ 607(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 758(@200wpm)___ 607(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
It’s right there.
The amulet is there and I can take it. I simply have to get close to him.
He steps away. “That is nothing for you to worry about. I know it sounds like a frightening thing, but I suspect you don’t understand how much influence the celestial planes have on us.” He seems to shake something off. “I don’t even understand all of it. I only know I made a deal with the wizard, and I have to see it through. You understand about the Fae and breaking our word?”
Yeah, that can go poorly when it comes to royals. Don’t get me wrong. The Fae can lie all day long, but when they swear themselves, they must follow through or face the wrath of certain powerful gods. It makes me wonder if I can figure out a way to call Herne the Hunter down on him. If Herne comes, he will know me. Perhaps he can get us out of here.
Or he will do his job, shoot us all the finger, and head back wherever he wants to be. Honestly, he’s kind of a dick.
I nod and think about how to get my hands on the king. It would be easy to offer him intimacy, but it’s too early for that. All those words Myrddin put in his head are still floating around in there. I have to prove I’m not exactly what Myrddin claims me to be.
Then there’s the risk that if I kiss him, he might not leave.
I know I should be stronger, but I step back. I don’t want to go through this again. I survived it once. I don’t know how I would do it again even if his face is my husband’s. “I do understand, Your Majesty. And you are right. I don’t know much about the planes. I have spent my time taking care of my husbands and our children, being the queen. I don’t know much more beyond that life.”
“And I will give it all back to you. When we are wed, my magic will flow again. You will see. The temple will open, and I will be a proper Green Man once more,” he vows. “It all went wrong when I lost you. Now that you are here, things will be right again and you will have your life back as well. I will not fail you the way…well, the way I did in your time.”
Oh, he failed on so many levels. There’s an odd air of anticipation, and I realize if I don’t retire soon, he’s going to try to kiss me. I want to put that off as long as I can. “I appreciate it, Your Majesty, and I thank you for your consideration in giving me my own room. It has been a long day.”
His expression softens. “I remember. You don’t fall easily. I will be patient with you as long as you give me the chance to be. The palace is warded. You will be safe here. Stay in your room tonight. Tomorrow I will show you all I can offer. There’s a mirror in the bathing room if you require me.”
I raise a brow. “The bathing room?”
He merely smiles and turns and walks away, closing the door behind him. Well, I definitely won’t be bathing.
I take my first long breath in hours, shoving my fist in my mouth so I don’t scream.
I back up, not caring to look around the room he’s caged me in. I’m certain it’s beautiful and delicate and potentially deadly. All I can think about is my heart pounding as I let the horror of the night flow over me.
We’re here again. Goddess, how are we here again? I fall to my knees, praying there’s no surveillance on the room, but I can’t…I can’t hold it back….
Then arms are around me, and I feel a body moving behind mine.
“It’s okay. It’s going to be okay, Z.”
Before I can start to fight I know it’s Danny behind me, and I turn so I can get my arms around him. I love him. I love him so much. So much more than when we were dumb kids and everything was dramatic and overwrought. I joke about wanting adventure again, but I loved our life before we fell into that stupid painting. Quiet days with our children. Dumb arguments with the Council about petty things like who sits where. Dinners when we were all together and we would tell Lee he had to eat broccoli and pretend not to notice when he shoved it in the pocket of his pants.
I thought I loved him when we were young, thought he couldn’t possibly have more of a chokehold on my heart, but he does. I clutch him, my arms trying to trap and keep him with me. I lost him once.