Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 110079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
However, before he could enact this new plan, Shey released Tyche and put his hand on the table as he ended the kiss.
“What was that for?” Shey’s voice had become warm and husky, like dark coffee pouring down Tyche’s throat.
Tyche perched his hip on the table and smirked. “I thought you needed a kiss for being so productive and commanding.”
“I have a feeling that you’re going to want to take that kiss back after I tell you something.” That was not reassuring in the least. Tyche slid to his feet and stared at the prince, waiting for him to continue so he could decide whether to curse him with bad luck. “That car I asked about was for you. I’m sending you to the palace. I’m going to take a different vehicle to the wall. Troops have been amassing outside the city, and I need to oversee our defenses.”
Okay, maybe it wasn’t a good idea to give him bad luck.
“Why don’t I go with you to the wall? You could use a little extra protection, right? Just a touch of good luck.”
The look in Shey’s eyes softened, and Tyche’s heart started a complicated gymnastics routine. “I can always use some good luck, but I worry about your safety. Information is still coming in. We don’t know how chaotic it is yet, and I don’t think you can use your good luck on that many soldiers. I’d rather you stayed safe in the palace. Wait for Adrian and Haru to join you. I should be at the palace by dawn. We can meet with Vitor tomorrow.”
There was no way Tyche was agreeing to meet anyone at dawn if he could help it, but he got what Shey was saying. As much as he wanted to stay by the prince’s side, he’d be more of a hindrance than a help under those circumstances. If Shey’s life was going to be in danger, he didn’t want to make things worse by being a distraction.
Of course, he didn’t want to meet Shey’s family alone either, but with the threat from the Federation of Order, it wasn’t like they were going to have time for him. He’d shuffle off to some fancy room to eat and sleep until Shey returned.
Tyche folded his arms across his chest. “Fine, but don’t get yourself killed. I’ll be pissed.”
“I promise.” Shey leaned in and Tyche moved as well, ready to meet him for another kiss when Blevins loudly cleared his throat from the doorway, stopping them both.
This sailor was about to get hit with a year’s worth of bad luck.
“Forgive me, Your Highness, but the car is waiting.”
They parted ways without another kiss. Tyche ducked into his cabin to grab his bag of clothes and a few interesting keepsakes he’d gotten while on the Isle of Stone. Nothing too unwieldy. Just some packets of dragon tea, a scroll painting of the mountains one of the Omari dragons had made, and a couple of small, smooth stones to remind him that he had walked among the dragons and hadn’t been eaten. Plus, if Nori didn’t end up agreeing to give him a plot of land with a hut and room for growing coffee, at least he’d get to take a bit of the island with him to keep.
He found Shey waiting for him with a similar bag hanging from his shoulder. It seemed as if it held nothing more than the contents of his temporary office. There were plenty of other people around to pack the prince’s clothes and other sundries.
“Ready?” Shey inquired.
Tyche nodded. “Ready to not be on a ship.” The trip from the Isle of Stone had taken approximately a week and had been smooth sailing, but Tyche was done with being on the water.
Prince Shey led the way down the gangplank to the harbor. Tyche followed a step behind, his gaze swinging wildly over the area. There had to be at least fifty armed soldiers positioned on the dock, protecting their prince and guarding against assassins. There was a large black SUV at the bottom of the gangplank with one of the rear doors open and waiting for him.
At the car, Prince Shey motioned for Tyche to climb in. “Someone will meet you at the palace and see to all your needs. Haru and Adrian will arrive in the next couple of hours, I’m sure. I’ll try to be back from the wall tonight, but I probably won’t see you until tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” one of the bulky guards holding the car door open cut in, “but Her Majesty has ordered that we are to take you directly to the palace. We can’t let you go to the wall.”
“What?” Shey barked, but the question was almost lost to Tyche’s crazed cackles.
The God of Luck dived into the rear seat of the SUV and stretched out his legs before patting the empty seat next to him. “Change of plans.”