Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
“Apparently, he has decided to forgo his return, as he couldn’t break his curse,” Prescott said regretfully. He tucked a strand of her red hair behind her ear, drawing in closer. “I’m so sorry, Kerrigan.”
She shook her head. “I don’t accept this. I won’t let him leave.”
Prescott had clearly planned for this, and he pulled her into his arms. “I know. I know.”
She couldn’t muster a tear, but she did a good enough job of letting him think that she believed him.
“We’ll figure it out,” he said, releasing her and gazing down into her green eyes.
She hiccupped and pulled backward. She was no fool, but he certainly thought she was.
“We should go out and forget that this all happened for a night.”
“Thank you. That’s so kind. But I have so much to do. The election is only a week away. I’ll have to figure out what to do about Fordham after.”
A muscle flexed in his jaw. “Of course.” It released with a wide smile. “If you need anything at all, someone to talk about everything that’s happened, I’m here. It must be hard to have all of this on your shoulders and no one to talk to. Especially after you brought the barrier down.”
Kerrigan startled at those words. She hadn’t spoken them to hardly anyone. Few knew, even in the most inner circle of the Society and her friends.
“What?” she whispered.
“We heard about your breach when you were in the House of Shadows. I assumed that you had brought it down.”
What was his play? How would this help them get ahead? She couldn’t see the thread of it, but it made her uneasy.
“I was nowhere near the House of Shadows when it came down. Wynter claimed to take it down.”
“Wynter was mad. She never could have done it. But you have powers like we’ve never seen. You’re fascinating.”
Kerrigan didn’t like this at all. “Maybe it just came down. Maybe it had nothing to do with me.”
“Maybe,” he reasoned. “But I doubt it.”
He winked at her again and then was gone.
She slumped against the door again. Great. Now, she had secrets with Arbor and Prescott. She didn’t know how they knew, but it wasn’t good.
Kerrigan dropped her bag off in her room. The door to Ben and Bay’s rooms opened then, and her friends came out, wringing their hands and looking nervous.
“What is it?” she asked. “I don’t know if I can handle more bad news. Are you leaving?”
“What?” Benton asked with wide eyes. “Of course not.”
“We … we wanted to talk to you.” Bayton looked half-ready to bolt.
“You can talk to me about anything,” she said, gesturing for them all to sit in the living space. “What is it?”
They shared a look laced with fear.
Finally, Benton swallowed and leaned forward. “We’d have been killed for even suggesting this in the House of Shadows. I don’t think you’re that type, but you understand our fear.”
“Of course. You have nothing to worry about from me.”
“We hope so,” Bayton whispered.
“Arbor and Prescott are bad,” Benton said in a rush.
“What do you know?”
“You shouldn’t be meeting with him,” Bayton said in a rush. “Either of them.”
“Did they hurt you?”
“No,” Benton said. “They didn’t do anything like that. They have actually been favorable to humans and half-Fae, but they have their own ambitions.”
“Speak plainly. What did they do?”
“Arbor was behind Wynter’s cult machinations,” Bayton blurted out.
“She was the one who got everyone together. It was her idea to force your hand to get you to try to break the barrier. She was the one who convinced Wynter to attack Lethbridge. It was all her. And Prescott only eggs her on.”
Kerrigan leaned back with a sigh. “Thank you.”
“You’re not mad?” Bayton whispered.
“No, but I think I’m going to need your help,” Kerrigan said.
Then, she leaned forward and told the twins her plans.
38
THE NOMINEES
Kerrigan had never seen so many dragons all in one place as they flew away from Draco Mountain.
Her heart ached, as she knew that Tieran would be unreachable for the next couple of days. The Society dragons were convening at the Holy Mountain. Tieran had been shaking with terror about returning, but Kerrigan had assured him that he had nothing to worry about. No one could tell the difference in the bonds. She hoped that she had told him the truth.
Meanwhile, it was the first night of the campaign, which meant it was the official kickoff of the election parties. Kerrigan was dolled up in a glittering Parris original that hugged her figure perfectly. Her hair had been curled and pulled back into an intricate design. All she had to do was face the entire Dragon Society. No pressure.
Helly squeezed her hand. “Chin up.”
Then, she moved forward and into position beside Bastian. She looked as lovely as ever in a stiff Bryonican dress. Diminutive next to Bastian’s incredible height. He wore a dark suit with a more traditional white cravat. Just a sliver of Elsiande pink showed in his pocket square. The scars on his face were on full display for what was to come.