Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“I would have expected that type of magic to be rare. It’s surprising King Victor’s army has so many with that gift. There were at least a dozen soldiers in that room.”
“It is rare, and there were nearly two dozen soldiers,” Mr. Ringleader snapped. “But only three of us possess that type of magic. The rest of my men laid down their arms after we left and surrendered to the king. When it comes to the care of my men, I hope King Hubert recalls we hurt no one during our little invasion.”
“Didn’t hurt anyone, but you kidnapped the crown prince!” Hugo shouted. His outrage bubbled over until he could no longer hold his tongue. He wanted to continue to rage at the soldier across from him, but Everand pressed a kiss to his shoulder.
“Shhh, it’s okay, my treasure,” Everand coaxed. “I’m okay. No one was hurt. That’s all that matters. I’ll talk to King Victor and get this sorted out.”
Hugo grunted. While no one was hurt, he still didn’t care for the idea of Everand being kidnapped and taken across the kingdom to Wulia, where they would have to face a clearly mad king.
“Sergeant…?” Everand started.
“Captain Ryze,” the soldier filled in, his voice low and gruff. There was a noise from the other side of the carriage, as if he were sitting up on the bench seat.
“Captain Ryze, my father will not harm your soldiers so long as I’m not harmed. They’ll be questioned and thrown into the dungeon, where they will wait for my freedom to be arranged with King Victor.”
Captain Ryze made a noise of agreement and fell silent.
The carriage creaked and rocked as they traveled away from the camp, heading closer to Onisa, the royal capital of Wulia. Hugo had never thought he’d see Onisa in his lifetime. Branem and Wulia had been at each other’s throats for as long as he could remember. He wasn’t sure of the reason. There had been some border disputes. Trade disagreements. His mother seemed to think it all went back to some scandal between the two families, but even she refused to talk about what little she knew.
For years, Onisa and Wulia had been off-limits to all but the bravest of merchants and accomplished diplomats. What trade was done between the two kingdoms was handled in border towns and then shipped to the rest of the country. Despite all the danger they were in, Hugo had to admit that he was excited to glimpse the forbidden city.
“Hugo?” Everand whispered.
“Hm?”
“That thing you said in the ballroom. About filling him with glass. Can…can you really do that?”
Hugo bit the inside of his cheek until he could no longer hold in the bubble of laughter. He glanced over at Captain Ryze, who had become still. The man’s breathing had slowed and evened out in the past few minutes. He might have drifted off to sleep.
“I have no idea,” Hugo admitted, matching the prince’s volume. “I’ve never even thought of doing such a thing to another person, but I was willing to try if it meant protecting you. Do you think less of me now?”
“Never,” Everand replied. “Would you think less of me if I told you I thought you were sexy when you were making your threats?”
“By the gods!” Captain Ryze moaned. The large man shifted on his bench seat, stomping his booted feet on the floor so that the noise filled the carriage like thunder. “Can you two be more disgustingly sweet?”
“I’m sure we could,” Everand mocked. “Would you like us to try? We’d be happy to.”
“Ugh! No! I’m feeling nauseated enough already.”
“You’re jealous you don’t have anyone who adores you as much as I adore Prince Everand,” Hugo taunted.
“I’ll have you know I have a husband and a wife at home who think I’m greater than the sun in the sky, but we still manage not to be as disgusting as you two.”
Hugo’s heart squeezed, and he sat up straighter. “You’re married?”
“Is it that hard to believe?” Ryze sniped.
“No, but I was thinking that if things had gone poorly tonight, you could have died. Your husband and wife would never have seen you again,” Hugo murmured. He’d even threatened the man’s life. He could have robbed those two people of their love.
“So? I’m a knight of Wulia. I follow my king’s orders. Even when he sends me on a possible suicide mission.”
Hugo fell silent. He didn’t doubt Captain Ryze’s loyalty. The same could be said for the knights and soldiers of Branem. They all obediently followed the king’s commands, believing he was doing what was best for the kingdom. And yet, Hugo had to wonder if either king stopped to think about the families of these soldiers as they issued these insane orders.
“Get some sleep. It’ll be a few hours before we reach the castle,” Ryze grumbled.