Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
“How can you let her do this to Warren?” My voice is laced with anger. “Is there no other way to save him?”
Korah looks away, tears accumulating in her eyes. It’s strange seeing a Regal come this close to crying. There’s clearly something Korah isn’t saying. She was quiet during the majority of the conversation. She’s been holding back on something, and I can sense it.
Just as the thought occurs, she straightens her back and locks eyes with me. “If there were another way, I would’ve been the first to do it. We are not as heartless as you make us out to be. We are just doing what’s best so you and Willow remain safe.”
I hate their vague answers. I hate all of this. I knew I was right about these Regals and had good reason not to trust them. All this time…all those years…all the blood shed on these lands.
All the suffering I went through, the lonely nights, the guns I pointed at my own damn head because my life felt so fucking hard. All of that could’ve been spared, yet they let this world strip me of most of my humanity.
“The sooner we do this, the better.” Korah gestures past me to the castle in the distance.
I grimace at her before trudging to Blackwater Manor.
SEVENTEEN
WILLOW
I stand on the terrace, waiting for any sign that Caz is okay. He’s had me blocked out for too long now, and I’m worried.
The wind nips at me, and I pull my cardigan tighter around my neck. What is it that he saw that made him guard his thoughts? Why isn’t he letting me in?
Just as those questions form, there’s a thud behind me. I gasp and spin around, expecting one of Hassha’s warriors again, or someone popping in to deliver bad news, but it’s Caz.
The sight of him makes my heart leap with joy.
“Caz!” I run into the room to throw my arms around his neck. He grunts a bit, and normally when I do this, he laughs or provides a light chuckle.
Not this time. Which means something’s wrong.
I lean back to grip his shoulders, listening for his thoughts, but it’s a silent void. He realizes I’m trying to get in and sighs.
“Caz,” I murmur. “Why is your wall still up?”
His eyes drift past me to the terrace. He opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. His eyes then drop to mine again, and they’re misty, glistening in the moonlight.
“Caz, seriously,” I say with a dry laugh. “You’re scaring me. What happened? Come on, you can talk to me.” I cup his face in my hands, and he reaches up, clinging to my wrists.
“It’s…” He pauses. My heart pounds. “I was in Kessel, and I spoke to Hassha. She and Korah were there, and they told me…” He draws in a shaky breath and looks away. “Korah, I can’t do this,” he whispers.
“What?” I’m so confused.
His eyes move past me, and I notice a light in his eyes. Purple. I feel a buzz behind me, a prickling on the back of my neck like someone is watching.
Turning, I spot Korah standing on the terrace wearing gold armor beneath an earth green cloak. The cape of the cloak billows with the wind, and her lavender eyes transform to their regular ice blue.
“Korah?”
She gives me a small smile and opens her arms. “Willow, come.”
I hesitate, glancing back at Caz, who gives me a curt nod, before drifting across the room to reach the terrace. I walk into Korah’s arms, and she holds me tight.
“I didn’t take you as the kind of person who likes hugs,” I say, huffing a laugh.
“I don’t usually.”
“So, what is this?” I ask, peeling away from her. “Caz is hardly ever speechless, and now you’re here. I thought we’d never see you again after you took Decius away.”
Korah blinks then cuts her eyes to Caz who has joined us on the terrace. She takes my hand and with a small smile says, “Well, I’m here now for an important reason. Caz?” She eyes him again, holding my hand a bit tighter.
A warmth shifts from her grasp to mine, and I notice her palm is glowing. The worry I’d felt over the past hour or so washes away, almost like a high has taken over.
I look at Korah again before putting my attention on Caz.
“Willow.” Caz takes my other hand. “I want you to know that there is nothing I wouldn’t do to see you happy, and if I could’ve avoided this, trust me, I would have.”
“Okay?” I blink, waiting for him to say more. A part of me wants to panic, but my body won’t let me. It’s like I’m in control of my mind, but my body is heavy, almost detached.
“When I went to Kessel, The Regals told me that Selah had gotten into Warren’s mind. He’s turned into something else—something you wouldn’t even recognize.”