Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 127722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
I promised Ivory I wouldn’t kill him, but I never promised my family wouldn’t. She failed to negotiate all the terms, and that was her fault, not mine. But I knew her desires, and that made me feel deceitful. “I know.”
In the distance, we saw them.
Hundreds of horses bearing riders. When the black flags drew near, I could see the symbol in the center.
A feather.
Ian slowed his horse. “She’s sent out her men to intercept us.”
She knew what I would do the moment I left, and she knew what my brother would do too.
Ian turned to me. “I will not raise my sword against our people—not even for you.”
“I would never ask you to.”
“Then what’s your move?”
I watched them come closer, the white horse in the lead more distinguishable. Her brown hair flowed behind her, the white feathers striking against her dark hair. In her armor and weapons, she looked like a queen and an assassin. “She came herself. But that’s not going to stop me.”
Ian turned to see for himself.
We waited, watching them ride across the plains and come closer, every rider equipped for war.
I knew she’d come to capture me, to secure me in chains and return me to HeartHolme so I wouldn’t get myself killed on my crusade. But if anyone tried to touch me, I’d slice their head clean from their shoulders. If my mother cared for her people, she would just let me go.
She tugged on the reins and slowed her white stallion. Eyes reserved for me, she came close, her black uniform tight on her wrists and thick on her shoulders where her cape attached.
She stopped directly before me, authority in her eyes as well as in the rest of her posture. My father had been gone since I was just a boy, so I hadn’t had the opportunity to learn everything a boy should learn to become a man. But everything else, I learned from my mother. How to keep your arrow true. How to use your shield as a weapon. How to kill without mercy. I hated her right now, but the soldier in me still admired her.
Her eyes flicked to Ian’s, and the look of disappointment she showed was purposeful.
I brought her attention back to me. “You can’t stop me.”
Her eyes shifted back to me. “I know.”
“Then order Ian and the rest of your men to abandon my mission. I will carry on alone.” I would infiltrate the Crags and slice their teeth from their throats until I found her.
“You will not be alone—because I am with you.”
I continued my piercing stare as if I didn’t hear a word she spoke.
“HeartHolme is with you.”
I gave a slight shake of my head. “You would go to war for her?”
She tugged on the reins slightly, her horse coming to my side so we were just inches apart. “I would go to war for my son.”
13
IVORY
The door opened, and my brother was shoved inside.
He looked just as bad as I did, with droopy eyes, a weak posture, and bloodless cheeks.
Effie rushed to him right away and threw his arm over her shoulder. Before I could even reach him, she helped him to bed, getting him propped up on the pillows.
His arms went limp on the bed.
“Ryker, stay awake.” She gave him a gentle slap on the cheek. “Let’s eat something.” She pulled the tray on her lap then basically force-fed him.
I felt well enough to sit beside him, to watch a strong man too weak to feed himself. I wanted to rub his arm or comfort him in some way, but I didn’t want to lure him to sleep by mistake.
Slowly, he conquered his dinner plate. Once his belly was full, the color started to return to his cheeks. He was a little stronger, but still tired the way I was.
“You okay?” I finally asked.
He turned to me, as if he hadn’t realized I was there until now. “More than okay.”
“Really? Because you look hungover.”
He smiled slightly. “I miss being hungover.” He reached into his pocket then withdrew a sharp dagger.
“You did it?” Effie clapped her hands to her mouth in surprise.
I took the knife from his hand and examined it like it might be a mirage. “How did you pull this off?”
He gave a shrug. “I’m good. What else do you want me to say?”
I gave him a smack on the arm. “I’m serious.”
“Took it from the guard that opened the door.”
“I didn’t even know he had a dagger.”
“Because you’re dumb.”
I smacked him again.
He chuckled and took the dagger back. “It’s almost dark. Are we doing this tonight?”
“You still look pretty weak, Ryker,” I said. “And I’ve seen better days.”
He pushed himself up, sitting upright fully. “You okay?” He turned serious, his hand gripping my shoulder.
“Yeah,” I said, ignoring the pain in my chest. “Already over it.”