Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 139662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 698(@200wpm)___ 559(@250wpm)___ 466(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 698(@200wpm)___ 559(@250wpm)___ 466(@300wpm)
“If I didn’t, she’d think there was something wrong.”
Finn chuckles, flicking her nose before stepping back. “Juliana, this is Abriella.”
“This is the one who’ll be posing as your betrothed?” she asks.
My gaze shoots to Finn and I stiffen, shocked that he’s shared this information with this female I don’t even know, and a little hurt that she knew about his plan before I did.
Finn meets my eyes and gives a curt nod, as if to say it’s okay. “Yes. At least until we can meet with the High Priestess, this is the best way to keep her safe.”
She swings her attention to me, and I can’t help but notice that her smile falls a bit as she does. “Abriella, it’s nice to meet you. I’m happy to welcome you to my village.”
Her village?
The question must be clear on my face because Finn explains, “Juliana is the Lady of Staraelia. She presides over these lands.”
A female in charge. How refreshing.
“We might be rural lands,” Juliana says, “but we’re wise. For generations, the people of these parts have understood that leading is best left to the females.”
“And they’ve prospered for it,” Finn says, smiling, and the niggling jealousy rears its head again. “Could we bother you to show us to our rooms? It’s been a long ride, and we could use a moment of rest.”
“Sure. I’ll call for help with your bags,” Juliana says, and as if she shouted for them, half a dozen fae emerge from the house. “I’ve put Abriella down the hall and you across from me, Finn. It’ll be just like old times.”
“Abriella will stay with me,” Finn says.
Juliana’s smile falls away. “She’s safe here.”
“I believe so, but maintaining appearances is important. I promise that you and I will catch up tonight.” He leans forward and gives her a wicked grin that sends jealousy running wild through me. “Just like old times.”
“Better this way,” Pretha says, stepping up beside me, her voice low. “The last thing Finn needs is Juliana getting her claws in him.” She flashes me a smile. “With you in his room, he’ll forget she exists.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Oh, it’s very . . . nice,” I say, turning in a slow circle and trying not to stare at the single bed framed by two large windows.
“Don’t worry, Princess,” Finn says. “I don’t expect you to share your bed with me tonight.”
I frown and turn to him. Didn’t he just insist that we share this room? “Then where will you sleep?”
He grabs the blanket that’s draped across the foot of the bed and throws it on the floor. “That spot looks fine to me.”
I shift awkwardly. “Finn . . . you can’t—”
“Don’t insult me, Princess. I was raised camping in these foothills and sleeping on the ground every night. I can handle it.”
“But . . .” I shake my head. “Let me sleep on the floor. I don’t mind.”
He chuckles. “My mother taught me better than that. Enjoy the bed. I’ll be fine right here.” When I open my mouth to protest, he holds up a hand. “Trust me, with all the togetherness we’ll have this weekend, you’ll probably want to take advantage of the moments you don’t have to be so close to me.”
I have to bite hard on my bottom lip to keep myself from arguing about our sleeping arrangements again. “Juliana seems . . . nice.”
He snorts. “Don’t let her fool you. She’s only nice when it serves her or her people.”
Could’ve guessed that, I think, but I keep my mouth shut.
“Luckily, in this case, what we’re after happens to serve her people.” He opens the wardrobe and sorts through its contents before nodding in approval and turning to me. “You should have everything you need here, but let your handmaiden know if you need anything else. She should be here shortly to draw you a warm bath.” He turns for the door.
“Where are you going?” I ask.
“I’m meeting with Juliana. We need to discuss a few things before I meet with my general.”
Jealousy rears inside my chest, making me feel ugly and small, and I bow my head to hide it. “Be careful.”
He chuckles. “Watch out, Princess. I might start to think you care.”
Juliana leans across the table, refilling all our glasses before straightening and hoisting her own in the air. “I’d like to make a toast,” she says, flashing that dazzling smile all around the room before letting it rest on Finn. “To our prince, who we always knew would come home.” She hoists her glass higher. “May the road take you exactly where you need to go and always bring you back to us.”
“Hear! Hear!” Kane shouts, pounding his fist on the table.
We all gathered for dinner at a large table situated on the beautifully landscaped stone terrace behind the house—Finn, Pretha, Kane, Tynan, Misha, Juliana, and me. The food was delicious, especially after the day’s long ride, and everyone seems to be having a great time, but the whole night has left me feeling lonely.