Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 110080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
“He didn’t foresee you taking your own life to save Roc. He didn’t foresee Ophelia eating him and spitting out his bones at Halo’s ceremony. The Blade of Destiny must not show him the decisions of the gravitas.”
Taliyah cracked her knuckles. “All right then. Let’s get started.”
Get started they did. When they finished, she remained in the pocket realm, away from Roux. If he or anyone else sensed what she’d done... No, better to keep her distance. She swam in the lake and changed into a clean uniform. No weapons needed today.
Finally, the countdown clock zeroed out, the ceremony set to begin. Blythe flashed to the harpy coliseum, at the far end of the center stands, and strode forward. Wow. Talk about déjà vu. The grains flung from her boots. Half the bleachers were filled with cheering harpies, the other half with phantoms chanting with monotone voices, “Ha ha ha. Ha ha ha.”
Up top on the royal dais stood Roc and Taliyah, the other Astra, Chaos, and a grinning Erebus, who thought he’d won this round. Sunshine illuminated the grim expressions of the others. Apparently, they believed the Dark One had won this round, too. A gentle breeze carried hints of spring.
Roux waited in the center of the arena, shirtless, wearing a pair of leather pants with a single trinite blade sheathed at his side. The Ation crown dangled from his grip. Mmm. So pretty! The man and the headgear. Gimme!
Never had her Astra appeared so strained. Tension pulled his skin taut over sharp bone and bulging muscle. She wished she could offer comfort, but she knew there was nothing she could say to make this easier.
When she stopped in front of him, she curbed the urge to hug him. Contact could only add to the difficulty. “Hey, babe. I’ll take what’s mine, please and thank you.” She plucked the crown from his fingers and settled the dark crystals atop her head.
Oh, yeah. Satisfaction flowed over her. So much better. Woe to anyone who attempted to take this circlet from her. She’d meant what she’d told him; she would be turning the realm of Ation into a wonderland of horrors and delights.
“Where have you been?” he demanded. He squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose. His alevala jumped. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to lash out. This day has been...not great.” He groaned and opened his lids. With eyes like wounds, he asked, “What are we going to do, Lyla?”
Okay. Here goes. “I want you to cut out my heart with trinite,” she said, lifting her chin.
Pupils pulsing with shock and horror, he reared back. “Kill you? No. Never.”
“Don’t make me beg, Warden. Oh, what the heck. Please kill me, Roux. Please.” She pressed her hands together. “A Skyhawk always makes a supreme gesture to romance her male. Let me make mine with flavor and flare. I’d really like to put on a show for everyone.”
He glared at her. Shook a finger of accusation. Opened and closed his mouth. “I can’t believe you just said that!”
“Well, I love you. Today, I get the chance to prove it in front of everyone.”
His mouth opened and closed faster. A strangling sound left him. “You love me? Me?”
“I do, and I’m never letting you go.” Okay, she couldn’t stay away a moment longer. Blythe pressed her body against his and slid her arms up his chest, around his neck. “That’s why you’re going to do this for me. You’ll cut out my heart with your trinite blade, keeping yourself and your little friends curse-free and ensuring Isla isn’t placed in unnecessary danger by allowing our enemy to win.”
“I will not do anything of the sort.” He slung his arms around her waist, a quick snap and lock. “We will go into hiding and hibernate for five hundred years. All of us.”
“And let Erebus ascend, so that he’s stronger than ever when we awaken? Nope. My plan gives us the victory. All you gotta do is kill me.”
His nostrils flared. “Kill you to save your life?”
“Exactly.” She rose to her tiptoes to press a kiss into his lips. “Aren’t I brilliant?”
The striations in his irises spun with dizzying speed. “Do you think because my heart is the same as Laban’s I can turn on you? I assure you, I cannot. He and I are not the same. Just as I am not the same as Mars.”
“Laban and Mars have nothing to do with anything. I’m trusting you with my life, Roux. Obviously. Do me the courtesy of trusting your she-beast, as promised? I have a plan, remember? I’d tell you, but I’m not gonna risk your task.”
“Yes. But—”
“No buts.” She pulled back, unsheathing his trinite dagger. Then she grabbed his arm and slapped the hilt into his grip. “Do you know how jealous everyone is going to be when they see my consort is fierce enough to slay me? Let me have this. Please, Roux. Please. I’ve never asked you for anything. And everything will be all right, I swear. I have a plan, remem—”