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 never get words, only images and feelings. But if I concentrate, if I go deep into myself and catch hold of the invisible thread that is always there in my brain, I can see through her eyes. It’s how I know my sister is still alive.
My father doesn’t believe that either.
“I’ll tell you about the men you don’t recognize if you’ll give me the lowdown on your party,” the queen offers.
Kaja joins her queen, their closeness obvious. “I would like to know their names as well.”
Lach reaches down and grabs the mug from Duffy’s hand, taking a drink before handing it back. Again, if the queen is shocked that my brother would share with a gnome, she doesn’t show it. What did she called Duffy? A third brother. The queen, it appears, might make an interesting ally. Lach catches my eye and gives me an almost imperceptible nod. He’s fine with sharing information.
“The man on my father’s right is named Maon. He’s been Da’s advisor since long before we were born. He’s been arguing that we should go to war with Torin the Pretender since we got the news of the coup.”
“Torin the Pretender?” Lach chuckles gruffly. “More like Torin the Fucking Asshole.”
Meg turns to Lach. “I rather like you.”
Lach shrugs. “Give it some time. I can probably change your mind.”
“Well, at least I know which one is which. It’s nice to meet you, Prince Lachlan.” She turns my way. “Prince Shim. Julian explained to us how the two of you split. I was told you’re the sweet one, and he’s the big ball of insecurity.”
Lach’s jaw drops. “What?”
Kaja laughs. “He did not use such words, Meg. He spoke of Prince Shim’s gentle soul and Prince Lach’s gruffness.”
The queen sighs. “Yeah, well, I’ve been here and do this on a daily basis. Trust me, Kaj. The gruff one is always hiding his own insecurities. I bet that one there thinks his scars make him unattractive.”
Lach goes a brutal shade of red. “I don’t talk about that. It’s rude for you to mention it.”
Queen Meg studies Lach for a moment, not a hint of distaste on her face. “See, I told you. And they don’t. They’re actually quite interesting. They give you character. What do you think, Kaj?”
A sly smile comes over the brunette’s face. “I think he looks like a warrior. I find him very attractive. He is the First in this group. He simply hasn’t taken his place.”
I need to get back to something else that was said. “I’m not gentle. For the gods’ sake, woman. Don’t be calling me such names. Do you want to insult me?”
“You are gentle, Shim.” Lach has a smile back on his face.
“I bloody well am not.”
“I got to agree,” Duffy adds. “The last time you killed an ogre, you didn’t even eat the heart. Soft.”
“Ogre gives me indigestion.” I’m not soft. I’m fucking not. I just had trouble with my gut at times.
Kaja’s eyes go wide. “See, Meg, he got to eat the ogre.”
“No one’s eating ogres.” Dante Dellacourt slides an arm around his wife’s waist. “Put it out of your mind. And if I see you chasing the brownies, you’ll be over my lap.”
Dante Dellacourt is a celebrity in his world. Lach and I spent some time on the Vampire plane being educated in more ways than one. We attended what the vampires called University, and we were trained by our cousin, Julian, in the dark arts of Dominance and submission.
A vision of beautiful Bronwyn tied up and trussed for our pleasure washes over me.
“Don’t.” Lach leans in, his harsh whisper pulling me out of my thoughts.
Sometimes having a twin who can practically read my mind is irritating.
“Come along, Kaj. We need to settle into our rooms. We’re going to have dinner in a bit. Your Highnesses, I look forward to meeting with you.” Dante leads his wife away, but Kaja turns, giving us both a smile.
Meg waves to her friend, and then her attention focuses on us. She points at the men left standing in the foyer. “All right, I’ll tell you about our party. Obviously, those two are my husbands. I think it’s safe to say Cian is the gentler of the two. He would never ever eat an ogre heart, but you could talk Beck into it. You know your cousin. I assume you know Mr. Taggart.”
“He’s the head of Julian’s security, though I heard he’s planning on starting his own company.” I briefly met the big blond man a long time ago. “I don’t know the other.”
“The vampire with them is named William Roan,” the queen explains. “He leads a group of mercenaries.”
“Cash-poor royal?” It’s a good bet. Vampires aren’t the most compassionate people. When a vampire family loses its fortune, they tend to lose everything. Many commit suicide rather than move to the lower levels of their great cities, but some, like William Roan, find another way to replace their lost honor. They take up the sword, or in this case, most likely a whole bunch of high-tech sonic weapons. Taggart started the same way. Julian has a soft spot for those who fight their way back up the ladder.