Total pages in book: 362
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
I snorted.
With another heavy sigh, the tapping of his quill increased. Glancing over at him, our eyes met. We both quickly looked away. I rose from the chair. “That neat talent of yours? The telepathy? Do you always need to have an item belonging to the person to do it?”
His brows squished together. “What made you even think of that?”
“I don’t know,” I said, lifting a shoulder. “It just popped into my head.”
He blinked slowly. “To answer your question, yes. I need a token or to be in contact with them.”
I thought that over as my gaze swept along the bare shelves. “So, what token of Nyktos’s do you have that allows you to communicate with him?”
“What makes you think I have something of his?”
I shot him a knowing look.
Two pink splotches appeared in the center of his cheeks. “I carry a medallion.”
Interest sparked. “Can I see it?”
One more heavy, ground-shaking sigh left him as he reached into the breast pocket of his tunic. Opening his fingers, he held a small silver disc. A wolf’s head had been carved into the metal. The detail was intricate, down to the tufts of fur.
“It’s beautiful. Who made…?” I trailed off, lifting my gaze to his. The skin beneath my ear tingled. “You did.”
Rhain’s eyes widened.
I straightened. “You…you also made the box Ash keeps on his bedside table.”
“How did you know that?” he demanded, then cursed.
“Foresight,” Reaver said what Rhain had likely surmised.
“Yeah,” Rhain said, clearing his throat. “I forgot.”
Reaver nodded and then returned to his drawings.
“Do me a favor,” Rhain stated. “Don’t use that on me.”
I arched a brow as I started walking. “Wasn’t planning to.”
“You just did.”
“It was accidental. Sometimes, things just pop into my head,” I told him, reaching the pillared doors again. “I’m still trying to get a handle on it, but I will do my best not to use it.”
And I meant that. Even though I was really curious why he was so worried I would seek to know more about him. Then again, he could just simply value his privacy.
“Thank you,” he said. “What else were you thinking about?”
“Oh, you know. Everything.” Crossing my arms, I faced him.
Rhain eyed me for several moments, clearly waiting for me to elaborate. When I didn’t, he glanced down at the bound parchment. “I’m sure you’re nervous about meeting with the Primals.”
“Obviously.”
He grinned slightly, making me wonder how often Rhain actually smiled. “Being nervous is understandable, but just remember that you are the true Primal of Life and the Queen. I know that sounds easier said than done, but you have earned the title and the respect.”
What he said struck me silent. Had I earned it? I guessed almost dying qualified as such, but I doubted many of the other Primals cared about that. To them, I was not only unproven, I also hadn’t earned shit.
“There’s just one more thing I didn’t mention before regarding meeting with the Primals.” Rhain closed the leather folio on the bound parchment. “Yesterday, you did amazing during the speech. I have every belief that you will do the same with the Primals as long as you keep your temper in check—”
“Yeah, I wasn’t planning to threaten the Primals into siding with us, but thanks for the advice.”
Rhain let out what was becoming one of his infamous sighs. “I’m being serious.”
“So am I.” I frowned. “Why would my temper be incited?”
“Does it need a reason?”
“Funny,” I said. “But contrary to what you may think, I know when not to run my mouth.”
The look on his face said he doubted that.
Irritation flared. “I know you’ve seen me lose my temper on more than one occasion, so I get why you’re doubtful, but you also have to know that I wouldn’t be standing here if I didn’t know how to keep myself in check.”
Reaver’s quill stopped again as Rhain’s head flinched back. “You’re right. I do know that.” His gaze lowered and then returned to mine. “I’m—”
“Don’t apologize. It’s not necessary,” I cut him off, sounding like, well, Ash. “Thank you for helping me with all of this, but I think that is enough for now,” I said, then winced at the bite in my tone. “And I do mean that. Thank you.”
Rhain nodded awkwardly as he stood. He started for the door but stopped beside me. He appeared to want to say something more but changed his mind. Giving me a quick bow of his head, he left the office.
Pushing the last bit of conversation between Rhain and me aside, I began pacing the length of Ash’s office.
My mind kept alternating between what Rhain had said and why Ash hadn’t returned yet. I’d suspected that his trip to Vathi would be an in-and-out sort of thing. He’d been gone for almost two hours. But Ash was fine. He and Attes were likely just talking.