 by Kristen Proby.jpg)
Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 24578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
My entire, enormous family is already enjoying their holiday vacation in Iceland, but thanks to my busy job and having to meet them there, I’m late. They could have chosen any holiday to fly across the world, but Christmas won, which sent me scrambling because the end of the year is my busiest time. It’s difficult to carve out moments to see the family at all.
So, now, I’m forty thousand feet in the air, trying to get to Iceland before Christmas morning, all while also attempting to get some work done. If only the hot guy next to me would leave me be.
Dylan says I should put the work away until after my holiday and relax a bit. And while his suggestion of spending some time together on the north Atlantic island seems preposterous, I can’t help but feel intrigued when he promises to show me how to enjoy the Yuletide season properly.
After all, I can’t possibly spend every minute with my family.
But how do I just shrug off my duty to my job and throw caution to the wind for a stranger...no matter how handsome he is? Because that’s something else about me: I never throw caution to the wind—even a beautiful, blustery Icelandic wind.
Then again, Mama always said, “Never say never…”
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
One Thousand and One Dark Nights
Once upon a time, in the future…
I was a student fascinated with stories and learning.
I studied philosophy, poetry, history, the occult, and
the art and science of love and magic. I had a vast
library at my father’s home and collected thousands
of volumes of fantastic tales.
I learned all about ancient races and bygone
times. About myths and legends and dreams of all
people through the millennium. And the more I read
the stronger my imagination grew until I discovered
that I was able to travel into the stories... to actually
become part of them.
I wish I could say that I listened to my teacher
and respected my gift, as I ought to have. If I had, I
would not be telling you this tale now.
But I was foolhardy and confused, showing off
with bravery.
One afternoon, curious about the myth of the
Arabian Nights, I traveled back to ancient Persia to
see for myself if it was true that every day Shahryar
(Persian: شهريار, “king”) married a new virgin, and then
sent yesterday's wife to be beheaded. It was written
and I had read that by the time he met Scheherazade,
the vizier's daughter, he’d killed one thousand
women.
Something went wrong with my efforts. I arrived
in the midst of the story and somehow exchanged
places with Scheherazade – a phenomena that had
never occurred before and that still to this day, I
cannot explain.
Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have
taken on Scheherazade’s life and the only way I can
protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to
protect herself and stay alive.
Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.
And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a
point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.
And so the King spares my life for one more day, so that
he might hear the rest of my dark tale.
As soon as I finish a story... I begin a new
one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before
you now.
Prologue
Maddie
Fifteen Years Ago…
“I don’t want to go to the football game.” I cross my arms over my chest and glare at my dad, who just sighs and gives me the look that says I’m going to lose this argument. “I have homework to do, and I’m pulling extra work for college prep. I don’t have time to go watch a stupid game.”
“It’s homecoming,” Dad says sternly. “And your sister is cheering in it. She’d like for us to be there.”
“She’s up for Homecoming Queen,” Mom adds. “We should all be there to support her.”
“I support her. I hope she gets it. She looks great in the dress she chose, and she’s totally awesome and popular, so she’ll win. Blah blah blah. I don’t have to be there for her to be crowned. I have so much to do here.”
They shake their heads at me, but they don’t understand. I like to study. I like to work hard, and I don’t have the time or inclination to play.
People at school make fun of me because I’m a nerd, but I don’t care. I like being a nerd.
And some people think it’s stupid that I love math. They think wanting to be an accountant is boring.
But it’s not boring. I have a family full of people with exciting careers. Hell, my uncle is a professional football player, and another is a rock star.
I don’t need flashy. I don’t need to perform.
I like boring.
“You’re going,” Dad says. “You can take one night off from homework. I can’t believe I have to force my kid not to do schoolwork.”
“You can’t make me,” I fire back, surprising us all. “You’re not my real dad anyway. If I want to stay home and do absolutely nothing, that’s my choice.”
“Madeline Rose Montgomery,” Mom says in surprise.
Dad just blinks at me and then turns away. But I can see that I hurt his feelings.
“I’m sorry,” I say immediately and rush to him. I launch myself into his arms and hug him so tight I fear I might pop his head off. “I’m really sorry. You’re my dad. I’m just so frustrated. I don’t want to go to the game.”
“Why?” His voice is soft now, like he’s not mad anymore, just confused. “Why don’t you want to go, Buttercup?”
“I don’t fit in there. Kids don’t like me. I’m not fun enough. I don’t find them funny, and I just want to work.”
“You’re going to have your whole life to work. Trust me on that.” He sets me on my feet and kisses the tip of my nose like he’s done since I was a little kid when he came into our lives. “Besides, you won’t be there alone. Your mom and I will be there, too. So will Drew.”
“Great. Now I’m the nerd who has to sit with her parents because she doesn’t have any friends.”
“You have friends,” Mom insists.