Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 123190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
I retreat a step, backing toward the palace. “I’m in no mood to be lectured by a creature who does favors for fingernails and locks of hair.”
Grunting, he snatches the tangle of curls from my hand and disappears.
I don’t bother sneaking into the Midnight Palace. There’s no need when I’m wearing the ring. I walk right in through the doors off the gardens and into the east hall, where servants have already begun to prepare for the day. I feel their eyes on me as I stroll through the kitchen and up the narrow servants’ stairs.
“I would consider it a personal favor.”
I pause at the sound of my sister’s voice coming from one of the small meeting rooms on the second floor.
“You don’t need to ask,” someone replies—a familiar male voice.
I turn out of the stairwell and stand just outside the cracked-open door. I spot the dark head of the Wild Fae king. He’s seated at an oblong wooden table, his back to me. My sister paces the opposite side of the room, her fiery red curls flowing down her back.
“You’re going to wear a trench in the floor if you keep that up,” Misha tells her. “Sit and take a breath.”
She spins to face him, and I step out of view—just in case her eyes stray to the door. “I cannot focus on my duties when I am so consumed with worry over my sister.”
I flinch. She’s always worried for me, and I hate that. I hate that I’ve brought her so much grief and pain in her short years.
“It’s been three years,” my sister says, her desperation drawing out the words, “but she walks around with the same terror that was in her eyes right after she was freed from Mordeus.”
“Your sister is always welcome in my court,” Misha says. “She can stay as long as she likes.”
Stay in the Wild Fae Lands? Is my sister planning to send me away?
Brie crosses her arms. “She won’t want to stay. All she ever wants is to sit in her room and hide and sleep and pretend that she isn’t months away from becoming fae.”
A light brown hand reaches toward her, and I realize my sister’s partner, King Consort Finnian, must be at the end of the table I can’t see. He brushes his fingers against her wrist. My sister looks his way and nods. I can see the calm wash over her. Finn steadies her, brings her comfort and peace and, when needed, his own strength. I love him for that. Even if he is fae.
“She’ll need to agree to it,” Misha says. “I’m not interested in holding her captive.”
“She will,” Finn says. “If Brie makes it clear that’s what she wants.”
“She’ll let it be known that she’s displeased about it,” Brie tells Misha. “But I think you could win her over.” She flashes a weak smile. “As you did with me not so long ago.”
“I’ll do what I can, but you know your sister. She isn’t very . . . open to friendships. But I will try.”
“I’m afraid I must ask you for more than your friendship, Misha. I need you to give her a purpose. Otherwise, she’ll do the same at Castle Craige as she’s done here for three years.”
Misha leans back in his chair. “And what makes you think my efforts to make her live her life will go over any better than yours?”
Brie grimaces. “She’s too gentle to tell you no.”
Gentle. It’s all I can do to stifle my scoff. I just watched the life leave a male’s eyes, and it was the best part of my week by far. That they think I’m gentle proves they don’t know me at all.
“What do you have in mind?” Misha asks.
“It can be anything. Just get her involved with the day-to-day of running the territory. Take her with you when you travel. Get her outside. Anything.”
“And you’re sure she wouldn’t be safer locked in her chambers here?”
“If the rumors are even true,” Brie says, “I suspect Mordeus will stay in the Unseelie Court, where he can gather his followers and pull power from the land. He knows this court and this palace better than anyone, and he knows too well what I would do to protect her. I can’t risk being the reason she’s hurt again, and I can’t risk this court being in danger if the worst happens and Mordeus is able to get his hands on her again.”
Mordeus? Am I the last to know these rumors?
I must make some sound, because Misha and Brie swing their heads toward me.
“Jas!” my sister squeaks, rushing around the table to swing the door open and greet me. Her pale skin flushes at the sight of me. “Why aren’t you in bed?”
I rub my thumb against the ring still firmly in place on my middle finger, a reminder that none of them will remember this interaction. “I couldn’t sleep.”