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)
In the distance to my right is the city of Luxor with its snowcapped buildings and gold lights. Despite the obvious coldness outside, I don’t feel it at all as I step closer to the edge.
“You won’t fall out, if that’s what you’re worried about,” Arie says from the door. Killian stands beside him, inspecting my room, most likely searching for threats. “There’s a barrier. You just can’t see it.”
To demonstrate, Arie picks up a book from a shelf in the corner and chucks it at the open wall. The book smacks into the invisible barrier, which lets off a flurry of silver, before the book thumps on the ground.
“There are clothes of various sizes in the armoire. Help yourself.” Arie looks me up and down in my nightgown, clearly not pleased with the sight of it.
I fold my arms across my chest. I hate that I’m still wearing this. It’s filthy now from being in that cell, and I don’t even have a bra on.
“When you’re dressed, one of our servants will be waiting in the corridor to lead you to dinner.”
I shift on my feet as Arie backs away. He looks between me and Killian before giving a curt nod and leaving us. Alone.
“Think I can break through the barrier?” Killian asks, walking past me to inspect it.
“Even if you could, how the hell would we get away?” I ask, sitting on a velvet chaise. “He said our blood is bound here. If we leave, we’re dead.”
“That could be a load of shit. We don’t have any marks or bruises to show our blood was drawn. He could just be saying that so we don’t make a move.”
“Perhaps they took it with magic…or resealed the wounds so we couldn’t tell? I don’t know. Anything is possible in this place.”
Killian paces back and forth with stitched brows. “That would be like the bloody Council. Always playing their stupid mind tricks.”
“Look, as much as I don’t want to admit it, Arie is right. We have to cooperate if we want to make it out of here alive.” I stand again and lift the hem of my nightgown high enough to reach the hip of my panties.
“Oi, Willow!” Killian turns away, throwing up a hand to block his view of me.
“Sorry. I just wanted to show you this.”
He looks again, warily. When he notices the object, he narrows his eyes. “A dagger? Where’d you get that?”
“I took it from the guard Arie knocked over. If anything happens, I’ll at least be able to put up a fight.” I tuck the dagger beneath one of the pillows. “Arie and Callista don’t seem like the type to try anything but—”
“Vassilis,” Killian growls before I can. “I know. I don’t like that we’re under this roof with him either, but I won’t let him hurt you, Willow. I promise you that.”
I can’t help smiling. “For such a brute, you’re really sweet.”
He tries fighting a smile. “Don’t get fuzzy on me.” He marches to the door. “I’ll see what clothes I can find. Why don’t you have a bath and change into something less revealing? Don’t feed that fucker any more than he’s already had.”
“Do you think it’s safe to wash?”
“Have you seen their baths?” he asks, cocking a brow. “Go look and you’ll figure that out for yourself. I’ll be close. Give me a shout when you’re ready for their meaningless dinner.”
When he walks out and clicks the door shut behind him, I release a deep breath. I carry myself across the room and open the armoire. Most of the dresses are knitted with fleece. Some pieces are made of silk and chiffon, but the last thing I’m wearing around this wretched castle are those fabrics.
I select a knitted black shirt with wide sleeves and a gray skirt. I’d hoped for pants but there are none.
When I find a pair of boots, I carry the outfit with me, checking the other two doors for the bathroom.
One leads to a room made of glass that overlooks the ocean. Two chairs are placed inside it with a table wedged between them. A bowl of fruit and two gold goblets are on top of the table. I have no idea why this room is inside another room, but the answer hits me when I see steam billow out of the ceiling.
A sauna.
I move to the next door, gripping the gold handle, and what I see inside steals my breath away. Now I see why Killian didn’t reject the idea of a bath. This bathroom may as well be another place entirely.
Built like a cathedral with glittery black columns and a dome roof made of glass, it is the most elegant bathroom I’ve ever laid eyes on. I’m not even sure if I should call it a bathroom. It’s more like a bath house.