Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 119158 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119158 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
The poor servant arrived with the liquor, and Samuel grabbed the bottle from him and bellowed for him to get out. Only after he splashed some amber liquid in our now-empty water glasses did either of us dare to speak.
“I need you to understand my goal isn’t to steal the throne from the king or Prince Rufus.” I threw back a swallow and coughed my way through the burn. When I tried to continue, my voice was hoarse and low. “I don’t want to rule anyone, and I don’t want power of any kind. From what I’ve heard, Prince Rufus is a great guy. Let him have the throne after the king passes away. Besides, he’s got to be twenty-six, twenty-seven, right? He’ll be married any day now and popping out little princes and princesses, which will put me even further down the succession line. My goal is to help Prince Xeran clear his name and find the real threat to his family.” Leaning in close, I dropped my voice to a whisper. “By the by, you don’t happen to know if Prince Victor had a hand in that, do you?”
The governor shook his head as he reached for the bottle to pour more alcohol into his empty glass. “Not that I’m aware of. I might be stationed here in Riverhold, but I have some reliable sources in Gushan. Prince Victor made no secret of his happiness over the turmoil that struck the Wolfrest royal family. He’s been pushing for the king to give him command of our armies so he can march them south to invade Wolfrest, but King Gerald refused. We’ve been at peace with Wolfrest for over a decade. No one wants to rush into another war for no good reason. After we heard Prince Xeran was exiled, Prince Victor left Gushan, taking a battalion of his trusted men. There hasn’t been a single word of him in weeks, and many have feared the worst.”
Fantastic. Prince Victor had decided to go rogue, steal Prince Xeran, and start a war. Instead, it was likely that he’d run into a bunch of ogres, gotten himself killed, and provided me with a new princely body to inhabit.
I stared at the alcohol that was still in my glass, trying to decide if I wanted more or if it was better to stay clearheaded. “What are you going to do next? What will you tell the king?”
Samuel scowled. “Unfortunately, I have to report that I’ve spoken with you. You waltzed right through the front gates. My men are loyal to me, but I know there are still spies about and one of them has certainly sent word to Gushan.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. But until I encountered that Barnaby guy in the alley, I didn’t know I was in Prince Victor’s body.”
A whimper escaped Samuel as he massaged his temple with one hand and drained his glass again. I kind of pitied the man. Now that he knew everything, he was stuck in a nasty position.
“Fine. You said you’re leaving here in a couple of days and taking that elf prince with you?”
“Yes. Definitely.”
“Good. Leave with that prince.” Still holding his glass, he pointed one finger at me. “I’ll tell the king that we spoke, and that you hadn’t been to Wolfrest as far as I knew. After our meeting, you left Riverhold but didn’t tell me where you were going. I’ll tell him that I assume you’re returning to Gushan.”
I sat up, my brain struggling to believe that I was hearing. “And you won’t tell him I’m a fraud?”
“Repeat that crazy story you told me? Not on your damn life! He’d never believe me.” He set his glass on the table with a heavy thud and dropped into his seat with a sigh. “Your performance is believable. Watch for slipups with servants and you won’t have any problems, even if you go to Gushan.”
Really? He was going to allow me to assume the role of Prince Victor Montcroix, second in line for the throne of Edros. That was insane. Fucking insane.
“Boy, I’m fifty-seven years old. I fought in the last war with Wolfrest, and I have no desire to do it again,” Samuel continued, narrowing his eyes at my skeptical expression. “King Gerald is a good man, and a lot less impulsive than he used to be. Prince Rufus is level-headed and patient. And considering your current relationship with Prince Xeran, it seems like you’re in no rush to drag our kingdoms into a war. I can live with that. Riverhold has just enough prestige to it to do my ego good, and it’s not so chaotic that I’m worn to a frazzle each night. I’m trusting you to not fuck up this comfortable life I’ve settled into.”
My brain got locked up on the word “relationship” with regard to Nylian, but I let it go fast enough. He was right. I didn’t want anyone to go to war, but we weren’t off the hook.