Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 132138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 661(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 661(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Lach nods. “A bit, though I know you have the stronger connection.”
And that’s a point of contention between us. “Only because I had hold of the thread when she died. It connected us. It doesn’t mean she’s going to love you less. I think we should try to find a way to tell her, and I think we should show her your real face.”
In the dreams, Lach’s face is always perfect, freed from the scars of reality.
The unscarred side of Lach’s head flushes a deep red. “So says the man with the perfect face.”
“Damn it, she’s not going to reject you.”
“You heard what her brothers said. She was raised a princess of the Seelie. She won’t want me. And I don’t know what to do now that it’s staring me in the face. I have to save her. And I can’t let her go.” Lach takes a long breath. The night before, we broke bread with Beck and Cian, who were more than willing to talk about their sister. Bronwyn, they explained, was always a bit of a brat princess. Indulged by their mother, she was raised to expect a perfect life. She should never have had a moment’s struggle. They couldn’t believe she’d survived on her own.
But I know. She’s stronger than anyone gives her credit for. I can feel it. She’s a different person than the child we played through our dreams with. She’s a woman who struggled for her life and was changed by the fight. She might have started life as a Seelie princess, as Beck and Cian Finn’s sister, but she’s my and Lach’s woman now.
Duffy walks up to us, though waddling is perhaps a better word for what the gnome is doing. He’s covered in plate armor, the very armor I requested be made for his last birthday. It’s made as thin as can be, but it still weighs a lot. Julian follows behind the gnome, slowing his normally long strides to match Duffy’s.
Lach’s mouth turns down in a frown. “Are you sure we should let him come along? I’m worried about him.”
“We’re going to be surrounded by vampires who know what they’re doing,” I assure him. I lower my voice as Duffy gets closer, not wanting the gnome to know what we’re saying. “You can’t leave him behind. He would never forgive us. We’re going after Bronwyn. Don’t you think he’ll want to see Gilly again?”
Duffy loved Gillian for as long as I can remember. Duffy, for all his flirting, was sweet on only Gillian, and he held that torch for thirteen years. Duffy isn’t foolish enough to believe his love will be returned. He knows she doesn’t think of him that way, but I can’t leave him behind.
Lach nods tightly. “All right then. But I’m not sure the vampires know what they’re doing. Why the hell is Dellacourt coming along?”
Julian lifts Duffy onto the ledge we stand on overlooking the sea. The gnome’s armor clangs a bit, and he has to find his balance.
“Dellacourt’s not so bad,” Julian assures us. “And he won’t let his wife go without him. I think you’ll find Kaja helpful. You might know the district where your bondmate lives, but Kaja can pick up Gillian’s scent. She’ll save you days of looking.”
“And it’s very interesting when she turns into a wolf,” Duffy adds. “Did you see her earlier? She ain’t got no clothes on when she turns back into a girl.”
Julian stifles a laugh. “Yes, yet another reason Dellacourt won’t allow his wife to venture out without him. Duffy’s hit on her three times. You should watch it, little cos. Vampires take their consorts seriously.”
Duffy smiles, a naughty grin. “It’s okay. No one takes me seriously at all. That’s when I swoop in and steal the girl. But after we find Gilly, I’ll look after her. Won’t have time for other women. She’ll be needing a dedicated guard.” Duffy looks around. “I don’t understand why all the long faces. ’Tis a great adventure. We’re going to another plane to rescue a princess. It’s going to be amazing.”
“It’s going to be a miracle if we live,” Lach mutters.
Lach got all the mopey parts of our soul. I’m a bit more worried than Duffy, but I can see the gnome’s point. I get to one knee in front of Duffy. “I think Lach’s worried that we have so little time to find them. Father has called for all the Unseelie warriors to gather in four days’ time. At the end of the week, they will rip through the veil and invade Tír na nÓg before the vampire ambassadors enter. If we wait any longer, Torin could have access to vampire weaponry, and then we’re all screwed. We have to find her, convince her to come with us, and get her back here before her brothers invade.”