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)
I stare at my sister, Dellacourt’s words sinking in. “Gillian, Lach and I have no intentions of fighting with the Seelies.”
“We’re taking Bronwyn home. We’re going to make sure she’s safe,” Lach says. “Her brothers can have this plane.”
Gillian rounds on them both, her eyes alive with fire and anger. “Where is your bloody ambition, brothers? I don’t care that the Finns bonded or that they think they can waltz in after thirteen long years and reclaim their throne as if they never ran.”
“They had to run,” Dellacourt argues. “And don’t think they haven’t tried to fight.”
“Well, as I’ve been alone and protecting their sister, you’ll have to forgive me for saying that they didn’t try hard enough.” Gillian’s fists are clenched at her sides. “I have fought and protected her. I will not allow them to come in and claim that which I have sacrificed for. I will speak to Father. He will see reason. If my brothers don’t want the crown, I’ll take it myself. I’ll take it by right of blood. I’ll bring an Unseelie army back. Father will support me.”
“Your father wants you safe,” Roan says, his eyes hooded.
“My father trusts me, vampire. And you have nothing to do with it.” She dismisses him utterly.
“Your father promised me a boon if I carried this off,” Roan says, his words a silky menace. “Would you like to know what that boon is, Princess? Your father has spent too much of his time mourning. He needs someone to come in and train his forces in modern warfare. He would feel so much safer if the general of his army was also his son-in-law.”
“Bloody hell, Roan. Did you have to tell her that now?” Dellacourt asks, cool green eyes rolling.
I know I should be shocked, but I’m not. Gillian is a royal. She won’t be marrying the stableboy. She planned to offer herself as bondmate to the Seelie twins. She can’t be shocked that our father offered her up to the man who would save her.
Except she obviously is. “No. My father wouldn’t do that.”
Roan doesn’t move, but there’s a certain satisfaction in his stance. “Your father wants you safe, consort. I have done the king and your cousin Julian much service and will continue in the future. And you will be my reward.”
Gillian turns to Lach. “Brother?”
Lach reaches for her. “Gilly, I’ll talk to Father, but you have to see that this plan of yours can’t work. It would mean all-out war between the tribes. I don’t want to war with my wife’s family. Honestly, much of the hatred between us seems very silly now that I’ve walked the plane. They are Fae. We are Fae. We can coexist.”
“This isn’t our war, sister,” I say. “We thank you for protecting our mate, but it is our turn to protect her and you. We will go back to our plane, and if the Seelies win the day, we will open relations with them.”
“And you would call yourselves kings.” Gillian shakes her head and turns to Roan. “You will never touch me.”
“We’ll see about that.” Roan doesn’t move as Gillian strides out of the house.
Lach stares at the vampire. “Find another consort.”
“Your father was explicit, Your Highness.” Roan’s eyes are on the door that Gillian slammed with vigor. “If I see you all safely back and lead the Seelies to their glory, my lieutenant and I will claim the princess and take over your father’s armies. King Fergus doesn’t want to unite the tribes under one crown. He merely wants good relations with them. He knows what it would cost. It would cost blood and death and pain unimaginable. Your father is a good king. And your sister is far too ambitious. I worry she’s going to cost you your relationship with your bondmate.”
“She’s pissing me off, that’s for sure,” Dellacourt comments. “You can’t believe for a second that Bron will turn on her brothers.”
“I don’t want her to.” I run a hand through my hair. I hate politics. Politics always seem to get in the way of doing what’s right and just. “Give Gilly time but know this. I care not what my father promised you. If Gilly doesn’t want you, I’ll fight to make sure she’s happy.”
“I’ll make her want me,” Roan announces with perfect arrogance. “I’m not a stupid man. I can handle your sister.”
“I don’t know about that. A smart man wouldn’t have laid out his plan,” Dellacourt says.
“This gives her time to get used to the idea. If I sprang it on her before the wedding, she might pull my fangs out. I rather like my fangs.” He sighs and turns to me. “Though I would keep my mouth closed about your plans around your bondmate. After everything I heard, I doubt she will be happy fleeing the plane. She cares about these Fae. She was in jail because she tried to defend a brownie. The villagers have become her family.”