Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 137958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
“And I think it’s very interesting…”
At the sound of the stately, feminine voice, Cassius’s attention shot through what had been the wall of Otho’s and Antonius’s chests, both now turned toward the voice, as did all the men, and there he saw Ophelia, flanked by her daughters.
Ophelia seemed annoyed but collected.
Serena was clearly incensed and equally clearly having some difficulty keeping control. Of her mouth or a physical attack (or both), he did not know. Except in the presence of her mother, she was managing to succeed in this task. Barely.
But Elena…
Elena was looking at Cass’s chest and she appeared…
Fuck.
Wounded.
They’d heard.
They’d heard quite a bit.
And none of it was about the most remarkable display of horsemanship and military drilling they’d ever witnessed, Elena playing an individual and extraordinary part in that.
“…that the Sisterhood trains since ten as horsewomen and archers and warriors, at the same time learning to harness their craft in ways great and wondrous that can be used at their command. We demonstrated that this eve. It was witnessed by all. And yet you speak of wet cunts and using our skills to trim nails,” Ophelia finished.
Indeed, they’d heard quite a lot.
Fuck.
Gallienus pushed closer to the Nadirii queen.
For a variety of reasons, none of them familial, Cassius moved with him just as his brothers closed ranks.
“My son is not marrying your daughter,” Gallienus declared.
“This will bring great relief as no Nadirii’s wet cunt wishes to be tainted by Airenzian limp cock,” Serena spat.
His father puffed up.
“Silence, daughter,” Ophelia commanded quietly. But to Gallienus, she stated clearly, “It is your choice, and your son’s.” She tipped her head to Cassius. “But when the Beast rises, it will also be on your head.”
“Where are the tremors, Ophelia?” he father demanded to know.
“I can’t know, Gallienus,” Ophelia replied instantly. “Though after the last, every nation moved to fulfill a prophecy that might serve to stop it. So perhaps those who call it have other things to do. Like, perhaps, preventing that prophecy from reaching its fruition. Which in turn might, perhaps, speak to how they fear the prophecy culminating which would share they fear it might work.”
“Allow me to intercede.” G’Jell of the Dome City suddenly sidled closer to the assemblage, and Cassius watched him with keen attention as he did.
This was because Cass trusted no Go’Doan. Not a one of them. And not for the reasons his father didn’t. This being the fact that, years ago, and even in some temples today, they provided safe haven and assisted safe passage for Airenzian women who looked to escape the heavy hands of husbands, lovers and masters.
No.
A Go’Doan had killed the father he wished he had.
Ares.
And at suffering that monumental loss at the hands of a renounced Go’Doan priest, Cassius had no issue with distrusting the lot of them.
Not to mention, he felt they had something to hide, and the fact you rarely saw the scores of female acolytes who attended them laid testimony to that.
“Even the Go’Doan feel these unions are expedient,” Jell continued. “Those of our own who study the magicks have sensed the instabilities in the veil. The prophecy was recorded centuries ago. And it is known by all that, if the Beast should threaten to be unleashed, it must be carried forward for the good of all realms.”
Jell trained his eyes on Gallienus before he finished.
“And all realms agree. As they do, it’s uncertain how they would feel if Airen refused when they each made their sacrifices, this refusal putting all at risk.”
“The Mar-el make no sacrifice,” Gallienus retorted, flicking a hand in Aramus’s direction. “Their king is already wed.”
“It remains to be seen what sacrifice Mar-el will need to make,” Jell replied. “But you’ll note the boots of the Protector of the Seas are deep inland on the soil of the mainland. For a Mar-el, this is already a grave sacrifice.”
Cassius’s father shut his mouth, for he knew this to be true.
G’Jell’s attention shifted to Cass.
“Prince Cassius, it is your marriage, it is your decision,” Jell said quietly.
“He is my son and my subject so it’s my decision,” Gallienus clipped.
“I will marry the Nadirii,” Cassius declared, his gaze on Elena.
He got a hint of violet when she lifted her eyes to his, before she turned them away.
“This is good,” Jell murmured.
“This is abhorrent,” Gallienus retorted.
“This is unavoidable,” Ophelia sighed.
“Perhaps, Gallienus, we can speak further of this over a glass of wine,” Jell offered in an attempt to continue to diffuse the hostilities.
“I’m afraid not as I’m away to my rooms in the palace,” Gallienus refused. “The company of this tent leaves much to be desired.”
With that weak retort, he pulled his cloak forward at his front and shouldered unceremoniously between Ophelia and Serena, which caused Serena to tense as if she was going to pounce and Ophelia to put a staying hand on her daughter’s arm after Gallienus cleared them.