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)
But my affinities are replenished, vibrating like electric currents beneath my skin, taunting me to reach for them, to wield them. They’re no longer a discomfort. Now, they’re a safety blanket.
Gesine once promised me they would return stronger each time I depleted them, and the well would deepen. How deep does it go now? Could it be enough to break through Mordain’s wards?
To defeat the fates?
It is certainly enough to finish healing Jarek.
I pluck strands of Aoife’s threads and settle my palm on the fresh silver wound across his taut abdomen. Closing my eyes, I send them forward to take away any remaining discomfort. My ears catch a sharp inhale, but I focus on my task, letting the threads search for infection, for injury.
A warm hand pressed on top of mine breaks my concentration and cracks my eyelids.
“There’s no need,” he croaks, his voice even raspier than usual. “I’m fine.”
“You said that yesterday and look what happened,” I scold softly. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” He licks his lips. “If I die of anything, it will be from thirst.”
I pull away to fill a copper mug with water from a jug waiting on the side table. “Here. Slowly.” I hold it against his lips and keep it there, watching his Adam’s apple bob with a few swallows before I take it away.
“You held my hand through it all,” he says after a moment, his jaw tensing. “Did I hurt you?”
“No,” I lie as I flex it. It’s stiff but otherwise fine.
“All I can say is do not ask those little demons to bring you relief.”
He’s not wrong. Their method is horrendous. And yet … “They healed you when I couldn’t. You would have died last night, Jarek. I don’t know what I would have done if …” I can’t finish the thought, the lump in my throat too painful.
His chest heaves with a sigh, and his gray eyes roam my face. I used to think them so hard and cold, but now all I see is wisdom and concern.
The corners of his mouth kick upward.
“What?”
Long, dark lashes flutter. “You should see yourself.”
I wrinkle my nose. “That bad, huh?” Neither of us have bathed. Corrin will insist on burning these sheets.
“I’ve fought hags more appealing than you.”
“Shut up.” I laugh as I smack his chest, earning his chuckle. “What time do you think it is, anyway?”
His gaze flickers to the dim light beyond the windows. “Early dawn.”
“What? No.” I scamper across the vacuous room, to the balcony, and see the sun rising, not setting. “What the hell? They let me sleep all night? Why wouldn’t Zander wake me?” Unless …
The door to Jarek’s chamber creaks open and Zorya steps in. “Your Highness. I heard your voice.” To Jarek, she bows. “Commander. It’s good to see you … not screaming.”
“Where is Zander?” I demand without preamble, stalking forward. “Did he make it back to Ulysede?” Or did something terrible happen to him while I slept?
“He was here. He left for the rift last night.”
“He went back without me!” What about that “kings and queens do not sit idly waiting for mindless beasts” speech he gave me yesterday?
“He felt you should rest.” She grins. “Though your choice of bedfellows was a little perplexing to him.”
I ignore her attempt at humor. “What did he find out? Is Atticus still alive?”
“He did not share news with us and was very clear that he would deliver it to you, himself.”
“That sounds ominous.” My stomach is in knots. “What if something happened to him at the rift?”
“He is impossible to kill. Have you not learned that?” Jarek eases up into a sitting position. “And he was right in his decision to go. He will benefit from Islor’s armies seeing him fight alongside them, and they will benefit in kind. You have important places to be too.”
“Yes, apparently a land full of witches.” Zorya grimaces. “I am not sure if that is better or worse than remaining with these nymphs.”
“You will remain here with Agatha,” Jarek says. “And we are not going to Mordain until we have a plan to get into Mordain.”
“Actually, I might have one.” It’s so obvious, and yet it never came to me yesterday, too exhausted and overwhelmed. “The stone doors in the crypt … Lucretia said there was one that leads to Nyos and it might work once the nymphs return.” Gesine knew where it was within the guild towers. “If I could get to Mordain through it instead of announcing myself at the gate, maybe this Prime wouldn’t be able to bind my affinities. And then I could bring the scribes back through this stone like I brought the children from Cirilea.”
“There are many ifs in that idea.” Jarek casts his sheet aside and stands.
“Jesus.” I whip around, though not before getting an eyeful. “A little warning next time?”