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)
He blinks away the fog and I watch quietly as he puts the hazy chunks of his memory together. “I’m going to kill him.”
“If you can find him. But hopefully the sea already took care of them.” Did they toss us overboard in time to avoid the monster heading their way?
He pulls himself up with a groan, quickly surveying the surrounding ships. “Where are we?”
“You mean this isn’t Westport?” I say with mock sweetness.
He spares me a glare, his gaze sliding over me, to the dagger in my grip, then to the silver cord strewn over the rocks. “You didn’t finish me off when you had the chance.”
“There’s still time.” And I’m far too close to him. I climb to my feet and step back, putting distance between us in case he tries to confiscate my weapon—again.
He chuckles. “Do not worry, I have learned my lesson.” He frowns at the green sludge packing.
“There was a siren here when I woke. I was hoping it would eat you, but I think it was tending to your wound.”
“It seems better.” Stretching his injured leg out in front of him, a slow smile stretches across his handsome face. “Much better.”
“Your charming healer went that way”—I point to the water—“if you’d like to thank it. Don’t hurry back.”
“Oh, my dear Annika, you had the perfect chance to kill me and you did not take it. I’m beginning to think you’re all talk.” He eases to a standing position and notes his socked feet.
“So wise, hiding my jewels in your boots.”
He steps along the hard path, his wet clothes molded to a fit and muscular body. “Never mind. I’m sure there must be a suitable replacement somewhere—” He stops abruptly and holds up his hands.
Panic swells inside me. The cuffs Atticus bound him with are missing from his wrists. There are only two ways those could come off—if my brother removed them.
Or if he were dead.
Surely, Tyree knows this, for he meets my gaze as I blink back unexpected tears for a twin brother who has caused me more strife than anything else. I’m on this blasted rock as much thanks to Atticus as Tyree. He abandoned me to Cirilea and an uprising!
“Perhaps the sirens had something to do with this as well,” he suggests in a soft tone I didn’t think him capable of. “They healed my leg, after all, and that was by a fate’s token.”
“Perhaps.” I swallow my brewing anguish as I pick a path along the rocks, heading in the only direction we can go.
“It’s a good thing that I have access to my affinity. Who knows what we’ll find here,” Tyree continues, trailing after me.
“Yes, maybe you’ll finally be of some use to me now.” What is his elven affinity to again? I cannot recall; I’ve never deigned to care. I pray not Malachi, given there isn’t a hint of flame to be seen anywhere.
For once—fates bless me—Tyree grants me silence.
18
Romeria
“Why do you punish me with mundane tasks again?” Zorya leads us through the library, sparing a glare for Lucretia. “I would be far more useful killing things at the rift than I am fetching books and guarding an impotent caster who limps about.”
“Her Highness has commanded it,” comes Jarek’s sharp retort. This foul mood has trailed him from the throne room, his body drenched with tension. I assume it has to do with the sylx who also trails him.
“Agatha is the most valuable caster in this entire world right now, and I trust you to keep her safe,” I amend, my fingers toying with the smooth gold over my wrist. “Lucretia, I need you to bring any book that talks about the time when the fates were last in this realm to the Master Scribe.” If she’s going to serve me, she may as well do it here. Also, that should keep her busy.
“The magic wielders of the past age were particularly verbose, Your Highness. There are many.”
“Great. Bring them all to the Master Scribe.”
“As you wish.” She evaporates into thin air.
“There. That keeps her useful and it should give you time to remove that giant stick up your ass.” I brandish a sweet smile at Jarek before strolling away to Zorya’s laughter.
We find the elderly caster hunched at the very same desk Gesine occupied for hours on end, stacks of books surrounding her much like I found her pupil many times. My heart clenches as a wave of déjà vu washes over me.
And, much like Gesine, she is too engrossed in her reading to notice our approach.
“Find anything of interest?”
Her head snaps up. “Your Highness!” Setting down her magnifying glass, she braces her hands against her chair handle in her struggle to stand.
“No, don’t get up.”
She abandons her effort quickly. “You look well rested.”
“Much better. Did you rest yourself?”