Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
“No. You would not. Only those you know and love are able to converse with you from the other side.”
“If I’d known that, I could have seen that as a sign that I was still alive.”
She reached out and took my hand. “We will talk and spend so much more time together, you and I. You’ll know everything I know before I pass. But I’m so glad they’re together. That’s such a comfort.”
I smiled at her. “It is, but you realize I will still pass to the Otherworld before you.”
“I don’t know, Jason,” she said, squeezing my hand. “You have Messina Maedoc’s blood in you now. That is only two steps from Ascalon himself. He has only ever given blood to me, and now you. We’ll see who outlives who.”
I had a twinge in my heart, thinking of Ode and the queen, as usual, seemingly read my mind.
“We will speak with your dear friend when she returns for the wedding,” Isabella began, “as now that she’s carrying an iceni, the king could change her blood.”
“What?” I was stunned.
“While you’ve been sleeping, I’ve been thinking about everyone in your life and I know how much you miss Nerilla and need Ode. And while I would never suggest that we change Ode’s blood just for you, I find it would be best for her as well.”
“And you think the king would do that for her?”
“If she wanted, and yes, Jason, he’ll do anything for you. He understands everything now, and I know you don’t believe it, but he sees you as part of his family the same as Varic and I.” She stopped for a moment, staring at me. “It’s as though all the love and faith Varic ever had in his father has been rewarded. And you understand, I know he never stopped loving me, but now, suddenly, I am enough. He’s been back and forth to Ophir twice already.”
“Why, since Varic is here?”
“He came the first time to check on you and me, and brought his personal physician to look us both over, and of course, to see what Decimus had wrought in the wilderness. His curiosity was piqued.”
As it would be.
“He came again because Varic asked him to give you more blood.”
“He left the palace for Varic?” I was stunned.
“And for you,” she said pointedly. “Do not minimize that.”
I could only stare at her. “I wasn’t trying to. The fact that he left the palace for any reason is amazing. Don’t you think that’s amazing?”
She chuckled. “I certainly do. Isn’t it the most hopeful sign?”
“Yes, it is,” I agreed wholeheartedly. “Truly.”
She lifted my hand, kissed it, and then asked what else Nerilla had said.
“She said the treasure was in your vault, and I have no idea what that means.”
Logically, it was also likely I had no idea what she was talking about because it wasn’t something we’d discussed before and I had been dreaming. That was all very possible because really, the simplest explanation was usually the best.
“She said there was a treasure in my vault?” Isabella repeated.
“She did.”
“I have no idea what she could mean by that.” She was quiet, thinking. “I don’t—oh no. I do. Yes, I do.”
I waited because one did not nudge the queen of the vampyrs. Plus, I could see she was deep in thought.
“Before we knew that Nerilla was barren—or thought she was—we had her eggs frozen, as mine were, in case either of us passed before we were supposed to.”
All at once, I could barely breathe, but for a good reason, not a bad one. “Nerilla’s eggs are in your vault?”
“Well, the key to where both mine and hers are kept is, but yes. Oh, I see what you’re thinking.” Her hand covered her mouth as tears filled her eyes.
“We could have a baby that is half Nerilla and half Varic. How amazing would that be?”
Isabella dropped her hand. “And one that is half Nerilla and half you as well.”
“Well, if there’s one, I’d be over the moon.”
She nodded.
“And I want to ask Keres to be our surrogate. I don’t know if she will, but—”
“Of course she will. I suspect she’ll be deeply moved.”
“Well, we’ll see. But that’s just the most amazing thing ever.”
“Yes, it is, and I would have never even thought of it if you hadn’t spoken to Nerilla.”
It had to be real. There was no other explanation.
I fell asleep while she was there, which was rude, but when I woke up, stretching, smiling at her, she said I had visitors waiting.
“Of course,” I said, my voice all creaky.
Tiago was the first one in, and when I struggled to sit up, he was there fast, leaning over me, telling me not to waste my strength.
“You scared me to my core,” he murmured, wrapping me gently in his arms.
“Same here,” I confessed, hugging him tight. “I thought I lost you.”