Total pages in book: 210
Estimated words: 200096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1000(@200wpm)___ 800(@250wpm)___ 667(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 200096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1000(@200wpm)___ 800(@250wpm)___ 667(@300wpm)
Her gaze flips to mine for a moment before dropping again. I can’t be sure she understood me.
“You know, weapons.” I mock parry the air with my hand.
Her eyes brighten with understanding, and then she shakes her head. “Soldiers, yes. You, no.”
“I thought so.” I wander over to the gaping window. They don’t bother with glass panes here, though I can’t say I mind. The chill is welcome compared to the stickiness of the jungle. The dense fog has not relented, masking any view beyond my arm’s length. Still, given how long we traveled, I imagine we’re high up. My affinity can sense nothing but moss clambering on the stone facade. “What is your name?”
“Ilyth?” She says it as if it’s a question.
“Ilyth,” I repeat. “That is a pretty name.”
Her cheeks redden, telling me she understands that much. That or maybe it’s my smile. It’s the one reserved for Argon’s female servants. It’s gotten me into a lot of welcome trouble.
“Ilyth, do you know where they’ve taken Annika?” The guards shoved me into this modest chamber and locked the door before I knew what was happening. Now they wait on the other side—five of them, based on what I saw when Ilyth arrived.
She shakes her head, her stare blank.
“The female I arrived with.” I drag my hands down from my head, twirling my fingers in an attempt to mimic Annika’s long curls.
Ilyth’s mouth makes an Oh shape and she gestures at the wall.
“She’s there? One room over?”
She nods.
I lean out my window. The next one is some distance away, but I could probably make that jump, using the ledge for leverage. If I miss, though …
I would have heard Annika’s screams if anyone had tried to have their way with her, so they must be treating her well enough. An unexpected sigh of relief slips from me. For some inexplicable reason, I feel responsible for the Islorian princess’s well-being. Maybe because I’m the one who got her into this mess in the first place.
She pretends to be fearless, but I know she’s far from it. I can still hear her terror when she convinced herself they would burn us alive. The sound of it replaying in my head helped keep me awake in the wagon, which was a blessing, given I didn’t want to drift off with those leering soldiers hovering over her. A prisoner who looks like her would be difficult to resist for some of these “unsavory” people.
If I’m being honest, the feel of her warm body pressed against mine was far from my worst experience. In fact, it was pleasant. Not that I’ll ever admit that to anyone.
“Please.” Ilyth gestures at a chair. She holds a small jar in her hand.
Curious, I settle in.
Unscrewing the top, she collects a finger’s worth of the clear salve and gingerly spreads it on my injured cheek. “Will help.”
I inhale the scent of yeri. It’s a favorite plant among those without access to healers, to help mend minor scrapes and cuts. Many of the soldiers used to carry a jar with them. “Thank you.”
Her eyelashes flutter as she meets my gaze before averting.
“Can you tell me about Azokur? What is it? What does that mean?”
“Uh … In sky.” She points out the window. “Night with two …” She searches for her next word.
But I’ve found it for her. “Moons.” Of course. Hudem just passed in our realms; it only makes sense it would exist here as well. They have another name for it, though. “And what happens here on Azokur?”
She stalls, and I can’t tell if she’s struggling with her words or how much she should divulge. “The change.”
“The change. Who changes? How?”
The door to my chamber flies open and two royal guards step in. “Come now,” the one on the left barks.
“Or what?” I stand and hold out my hands in challenge. They were both at the gate earlier. They’ve seen what I’m capable of.
A gentle hand lands on my biceps. “Please.” Ilyth nods toward the door. “No trouble.”
But it’s not her soft voice that goads me forward. It’s the irritating one in the hallway.
33
Annika
“I demand to know where you are taking me. And stop manhandling me. Do you have any idea who I am?” I jerk my arm out of the guard’s grip, doing my best to squash any hint of fear. Of course, he doesn’t know who I am. None of them do, nor do they seem to care.
“Glad to see a bath hasn’t washed away your swollen ego.”
I spin to find Tyree standing in the doorway. A sigh of relief escapes me before I can stifle it. I knew he was in the next room over, but I didn’t know when I would see him again. Despite my better judgment, I feel safer when he is around.
“You clean up well.” His gaze drags over the lavish red and gold gown the servants presented after I climbed from the bath, adored by rhinestones and billowing to the floor in a cascade of luxurious layers.