Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 132625 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132625 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
I bow my head and when I lift it, he’s staring again. What?
Just wondering if you have any of that potion of your brother’s—for after the general leaves. His lips quirk in sardonic amusement. I’d rather look in your eyes when we have this conversation.
My cheeks heat. Maybe I could sneak away for a short nap later.
Maybe I could join you.
Chapter Forty-Two
Jasalyn
“I can’t!” My objection comes out as a bellow that shakes the room—or maybe that’s the thunder.
Pretha isn’t fazed. “I think you’re getting in your own way. Let’s circle back to those deep-breathing exercises and then try again.”
This has been going on for hours, and every minute that passes without me summoning flame is another minute I’m closer to losing my life to Mordeus. Another minute closer to my sister losing her court.
“We need to take a break,” Kendrick says. “She’s exhausted.”
“Of course,” Pretha says, but I don’t miss her glance at the clock. We are all much too aware of the clock.
Kendrick offers me his hand, then guides me from my chair. His arm snakes around my shoulders as he leads me past two guards and to the door.
One of them grumbles something behind us, and everything seems to happen at once.
Kendrick suddenly spins, lunges for the sentinel, and pins him against the wall. “What did you just say?”
Iron sings as the other sentinel pulls her blade, but she hesitates, clearly unsure if she’s supposed to protect her brother in arms or the queen’s guest.
“Everyone calm down,” Pretha says, standing as slowly as someone surrounded by angry wild animals. “Kendrick, what happened?”
“This piece of shit opened his mouth.”
“Not helpful,” Pretha mutters.
“I’m sorry,” the sentinel says, eyes never leaving Kendrick’s. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”
The steady thud of boots on stone grows closer and my sister appears in the doorway. “What’s happening here?” Brie asks, looking between Kendrick and her sentinel.
“Tell the queen what you said,” Kendrick says, eyes blazing with fury.
The room glows brighter for a beat as lightning flashes outside.
“I didn’t mean it,” he blubbers.
“Kendrick,” my sister says coolly. “Please put down my sentinel and back away.”
Kendrick sneers at the male one last time before doing as she asks. Brie smoothly slides between them, mouth in a thin line as she looks over the now-trembling guard.
“Tell me what you said that upset my guest so much,” she commands her guard, cocking her head to the side.
The sentinel’s throat bobs. “I shouldn’t have said it. I didn’t mean it.”
“Tell me.”
He glances to each person in the room, as if someone might save him.
“Look at me,” Brie says, each word directed at him like a blow. “I am your queen and I asked you a question.”
“The princess has been unsuccessful in wielding her flame,” he says, his voice trembling as much as the hands at his sides. “I foolishly asked at what point we consider the other way to make sure there’s no life for Mordeus to take.”
I flinch like I’ve been slapped. Not because I can’t handle the cruel words of some random shadow court sentinel but because he’s only highlighting what everyone in this room has probably been thinking for hours—my inability to find the power that supposedly lives inside me could mean the end for everyone here.
“I didn’t mean it, and I shouldn’t have said it,” the sentinel blubbers. “I was only thinking of my queen, worried for my court, and I spoke recklessly. Please accept my apology, Your Majesty.”
“Prenley,” Brie says, coolly addressing the other guard. “Please escort Yarrow to my dungeons.”
“My queen,” Yarrow begs. “Please understand. I wouldn’t—”
She holds up a hand and though his mouth keeps moving, his words make no sound. “You do not want me to make a final decision about what to do with you right now.” Her voice is cool but the shadows weaving around her ankles and wrists give her away. “Trust me when I say you are safer in the dungeons with the rats than you are in my presence. Be grateful.” She drops her hand and he gasps.
“Yes, my queen.” His lips tremble. “Thank you, my queen.”
Prenley returns her sword to its sheath and guides Yarrow away without risking a single questioning glance in her queen’s direction.
“I’m sorry about that,” Brie says to me when they’re gone, jaw ticking.
Mortification sits like lead on my chest. I want to scream that he wasn’t wrong. That maybe we should stop looking for magic that isn’t there and start looking at other options. “You didn’t have to do that.”
She arches a brow, still the haughty queen. “But I did. I expect better behavior from my sentinels. I can’t and won’t allow them to disrespect their princess.” She takes a deep breath and as she releases it, some of her vengeful ruler demeanor falls away. She glances between me, Kendrick, and Pretha and her expression grows somber. “No progress?”