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)
Reaver had briefly mentioned the other draken I had yet to meet. Besides Jadis and Reaver, she was the youngest of the draken, a little over a century old.
“I’d rather go with you all,” Reaver said.
“I know,” I told him. Reaver had mentioned wanting to go with us no less than two dozen times since we decided to talk to the people. “When you’re older, I’m sure it will be fine for you to be with us.”
He wrinkled his nose. “Why am I not old enough now? You two are just giving a speech.”
“Yes, we’re only giving a speech, and nothing should happen,” Ash said, his tone gentle. “But you are too important to take that risk. Understand?”
Reaver nodded, clearly unhappy, and I felt for the little guy. Considering what he’d been through, it was no wonder he wanted to stick close to our sides.
“Rhain wanted to show us something.” Ash offered me his hand. “He’s waiting for us downstairs.”
“Hopefully, it’s not an example of appropriate attire,” I muttered, taking Ash’s hand.
Reaver snickered.
“What?” Ash’s brows knitted.
“Nothing.” I shot the draken a look as Ash pulled me to my feet. “Did he say what he wanted to show us?”
He shook his head. “Only that it was important.”
“Probably has to do with gowns,” Reaver commented.
Ash’s head tilted as he tugged me to his side. “I feel like I’m missing something.”
“You are,” I confirmed. “But it’s nothing interesting.”
“I’ll have to take your word for that.” He looked back at Reaver. “You’re walking us down, right?”
The smile that came across Reaver’s face was brief but beautiful before he ducked his head and the sheet of golden hair obscured his face.
“Lead the way,” Ash instructed Reaver, keeping his hand wrapped firmly around mine.
I grinned as Reaver took Ash’s request very seriously, skirting us. “Can you give Ash and me a moment, though?”
Reaver stopped in the doorway, crossing his arms over his chest. “You guys are going to have a serious conversation you don’t want me to hear.”
“Now, why would you think that?” Ash questioned.
“Because every time something serious needs to be said that no one wants me to hear, I’m either sent from the room, tasked to look after Jadis, or others speak in a weird way like they’re leaving out words and stuff.”
Note to self: Reaver is far too observant. “We weren’t going to talk,” I told him. “I was planning to do more kissing.”
There was no hesitation. Not even a second. “I’ll wait in the hall.” Reaver pivoted and disappeared in a heartbeat.
“Wow,” I murmured. “I didn’t think it would be that effective.”
“Well, I, for one, am not disturbed by the idea of more kissing.”
“I hate to disappoint you,” I said, “because Reaver was right. It’s something I didn’t want him to hear.”
“What is it?”
“Something I realized this morning,” I said. “I think I figured out what woke Kolis—no, I know. It was me.”
Ash’s eyes searched mine. “I’m sure you had nothing—”
“I didn’t do it on purpose,” I cut in. “It’s what I did last night when I brought the river back and, well, everything else. That power? It was a lot.”
“Yeah,” he said, straightening the collar of my tunic. “It was.”
“And I’m sure it was felt all across Iliseeum. That’s what woke him from stasis. He felt it.”
Ash appeared to think about that for a moment. “If that is the case, do you regret what you did?”
“No,” I said without hesitation.
“Then it is what it is,” he said softly. “It’s not your fault he woke.”
“I don’t…” I fell silent upon his knowing look. “I don’t regret it, but I do feel a tiny bit responsible.”
“I get it,” he said. “But you know he would’ve woken eventually.”
“Would’ve been nice if he still remained in stasis, though.”
“Maybe.” He tucked a curl back behind my ear. “But I personally enjoy knowing that it was you being a powerful Primal that possibly woke him sooner than he would’ve naturally.”
My brows lifted. “I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
“Now, you have,” He dipped his head and kissed me.
“We should join Reaver before he becomes traumatized by something we’re not even doing.”
That brought a faint grin to his lips, and by the time we joined the youngling, he appeared calmer.
“How are you feeling about the speech?” Ash asked as we entered the hall with Reaver several feet in front of us.
“I’m good.” I paused and then admitted, “And a little nervous.”
“You’ll do perfectly,” Ash assured, dipping down to press a kiss to the top of my head.
“That’s what I told her,” Reaver called from the top of the staircase, where he waited.
“She should start listening to you, then,” Ash responded and then glanced down at me. “You look beautiful, by the way.”
“Thank you.” I smiled up at him. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”
Ash chuckled. “I believe you’re underplaying how extraordinarily handsome you find me right now.”