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)
So many things ran through my mind as Reaver circled me, and I blurted out what had to be the weirdest and possibly the most idiotic one, “Hopefully, we’ll still get along in our nota forms.”
His dark brows pulled together as Reaver’s head swung toward me. “Come again?”
“I mean, with you being a wolf and me being a very large cave cat,” I explained. “It’s like cats and dogs, right? And I know a wolf isn’t a dog, but still.”
Ash’s lips parted into a faint grin as his silver gaze gleamed. “The things that go through your mind must be a constant source of entertainment.”
My eyes became thin slits as I fixed a piercing stare on him. “Then I assume I’ll be just as irritated with you in that form as I am in this one.”
That grin kicked up a notch, revealing a hint of fang. “Yes.”
“Whatever,” I muttered as that low chuffing sound came from Reaver again. “How do I shift?”
“You just will it to happen and—” Ash shot forward, cupping the nape of my neck. “Fates, Sera, do not will it to happen right now. For one thing, I don’t know if you’ll be able to, but on the off chance you can, it wouldn’t be wise for you to do so now if you plan to meet with the others.”
My lips pursed. “I wasn’t going to will it to happen.”
Ash arched a brow. “Liessa…”
“Okay.” I sighed, rolling my eyes. “Maybe I was going to. I would’ve switched right back, though.”
“Yeah, it doesn’t always work that way the first time.” He swiped his thumb across my bottom lip, sending a charge of energy through me. “The transformation can be…overpowering.”
“And exactly what does that mean?” I asked. “Does it hurt?”
“The first time your body changes shape and form can be uncomfortable.”
My heart tripped over itself. “Well, that’s the first thing I’ve heard about shifting forms that actually makes sense.”
“That’s not all,” he said softly. “The nota is strong, and it will want to take over. When you first do it, it can be difficult to pull yourself out of it.”
I swallowed. “That sounds ominous.”
“It’s really not. You won’t get stuck in that form,” he assured me, dropping his hand, “you just need time to go through the motions.”
“And we don’t have that time right now.”
“Clearly,” he remarked dryly.
“Smart-ass.” I gave him a light shove.
He chuckled and said to Reaver. “I remember a time when you would’ve attempted to light someone on fire for even thinking of offending me.”
“Sorry,” I said, smiling broadly as the draken lifted his wings, keeping himself in the air. “He’s my Reaver-butt now.”
Reaver chirped his agreement.
“That’s okay.” Ash smiled. “My fangs are still substantially more impressive than yours.”
“I’m debating kicking you, just so you know,” I warned him, even though I thoroughly enjoyed his teasing.
Because, gods, I hadn’t realized how badly I’d missed the side of him I’d seen in the mortal realm when he was just Ash, and I was—
No. The Ash in the mortal realm, where he’d been able to shed the weight of responsibility and forget the cause of those blood drops inked onto his flesh for a little while, was who he was. And he was once more that Ash.
He took my hand and kissed my palm. He then nodded toward the antechamber. “You ready now? For real this time?”
I nodded.
His gaze lifted to mine. “Just remember, when you walk through that door, you will not do so as the Consort. You will be doing so as the Queen.”
“And you as their King.”
Ash nodded, cupping my cheek with his other hand. “Together.”
I turned my head and kissed his palm. “Always.”
CHAPTER TEN
The moment we exited the short, dimly lit hall on the other side of the bathing chamber, conversation ground to an utter halt in the antechamber.
Everyone froze as Reaver flew in behind me and soared upward, landing atop the gleaming cherrybark oak credenza, precariously balanced on its thin top. Well, everyone except Jadis.
The little draken scrambled across the chamber, darting past the oval table on a raised dais framed by two shadowstone pillars. She ran straight for where Reaver had perched himself, arms outstretched toward him, her small wings fluttering wildly and lifting her a few inches off the floor.
Ash swooped down and picked her up before she started scaling the credenza. She responded with an unhappy shriek. “Here,” he said, giving the underside of her chin a rub. “You can see him better up here.”
Reaver huffed as my gaze bounced over familiar features, seeking out a vibrant redheaded goddess. Everyone was there except Aios. Things had gotten strained toward the end of our conversation, but I didn’t think she was angry or upset when she left. Where was—?
All at once, those seated stood, their faces becoming blurs as they lowered to one knee, folded their right palms over their chests, and flattened their other hands against the floor. Heads bowed, one after another in a wave. Every single one of them.