Total pages in book: 182
Estimated words: 171176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
He didn’t veer into my path and I didn’t veer into his, but we watched each other as we closed the distance. Neither of us pretended we didn’t know what was happening here: I was out of my cage, and he would not stand for it.
Within five feet, outside of his arm’s reach, I slowed to a stop. He did as well, a partner in this dangerous dance.
“Hello, Captive Lady,” he said pleasantly, flashing me a wide, beautiful smile.
“Hi.”
“What brings you out and about?”
“The sun came up and I figured, rather than lying in bed, I should be up and about my duties.”
“Is that so?” He took a half step and leaned against the wall. Only a fool would think he was letting down his guard.
Tendrils of unease wound through me, and I wondered how fast he could run in those fancy shoes.
“And precisely what duty are you about this early in the morning?” he asked.
“It’s dawn, and that’s when I usually get up to go to work, but . . . well, I’m here now.”
He nodded. “Right you are. No work for you.”
“Well . . .” I huffed out a deep breath. “I created Granny’s empire, and now I need to tear it down. I need to figure out how. And I can’t do that if I’m sitting idle.”
He quirked an eyebrow. “I heard something about that. I’ll be honest, I didn’t believe it. A person that makes drugs unlawfully doesn’t usually up and change their tune, becoming a model citizen.”
“You can take him,” my wolf said, obviously delusional. I shushed her.
“I’m not interested in becoming a model citizen. I’m just trying to right some wrongs. Simple as that.”
“Simple as that,” he repeated, and looked at me for a very long moment, right in my eyes. I could tell he was assessing me, and the scrutiny made me want to babble nonsense just to scare him away.
“Simple. As. That.” He pushed off the wall. “Where did you envision going first during your jaunt around the castle?”
“Are you mocking me?”
“I’m not sure yet.”
Fair.
“I thought I’d find the library and see if it contains any books on Moonfire Lilies. I unearthed one yesterday. It should have been sent to the gardeners? I wanted to make sure they rehomed it properly. They are rare flowers—very hard to find. I want to make sure I know how to grow it.”
“You don’t trust the gardeners?”
I grimaced, worried I’d just been offensive. “I’ve heard they’re skilled, but I don’t know them. So I don’t know if I should trust their skills just yet.”
His lips stretched into a smile. “Fair point, Captive Lady. But I have bad news, I’m afraid. It’s too early to use the library. The royals are very protective of it. There are posted hours for non-approved persons.”
I pointed at my chest. “I’m not approved, I take it.”
He mimicked my movement. “No, you are not.”
I braced my hands on my hips, thinking. He went back to leaning on the wall patiently. Servants came and went around us, giving us a wide berth. He was the protection, I was the enemy, and they were just trying to do their jobs.
“How about the gardens, then?” I thought out loud, then bit my lip. “No, there really is no point unless I have something intelligent to offer. How about my stuff? If I can have my appliances and access to a few plants— Oh! My journals. That’s a better use of my time. I need to finish up going through those and gathering information. That’s something I can do in the tower. That way everyone can rest easy. Can I have my journals?”
He was back to watching me, but I could tell he was paying attention to my body language. I had no idea what he was reading.
“I can’t get your journals,” he said. “All of your things have been taken to the royals to look over.”
“You can definitely take him. Lure him to a dark corner, knock him out, tie him up, and go find the library. This is doable. He’s in the way.”
I looked off to the side with one raised eyebrow and a deadpan stare and hoped she could feel it. That ridiculous plan didn’t even warrant a vocal response. Tie him up? I didn’t have any rope, and I doubted the servants would search out any for me, especially when they realized this man was nowhere in sight.
“What’d I miss?” the man asked, clearly seeing my expression.
I shook my head. “My wolf has delusions of grandeur. I haven’t known her for long.”
She growled within me.
“I heard. Let me save your wolf some trouble—a wolf can’t take a dragon in animal form. It’ll never happen. A wolf’s strength is in pack unity—”
I blinked up at him with wide, wonder-filled eyes and a smile. “You’re a dragon?”