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)
“So we have to start by finding the witch,” I say. I look to Kendrick. “I plan to leave for Elora in the morning. You can come with me if you want, or I can do it alone.”
My sister stiffens. “We can send someone else. I can’t keep you safe in Elora.”
“You tried keeping me safe inside this palace and I was miserable for three years.”
Abriella flinches as if she’s been struck. I pull in a fortifying breath and make myself continue. “You can’t protect me. I know you want to. I know you would lay down your own life if you believed it would keep me safe, but this world doesn’t work like that. And even if it did, don’t I deserve a chance to believe I’ve done something good? I don’t have much time left, and the way I see it, I have two choices. I can languish in my room and contemplate the atrocities committed by my hand or I can help the two best people I’ve ever known rule their kingdoms. That’s no choice at all.”
Abriella’s gone pale, but when Finn places a hand on top of hers, she seems to breathe again. She looks to him and they hold eye contact for several beats. They can’t communicate mentally the way Misha can with others, but they are bonded and tethered and completely aware of what the other is feeling. I’ve watched them have silent conversations more than once.
Finally, Abriella breaks the silence. “I would rather you send someone else, but I respect that you need to do what is right for you. And I agree that we need to find this witch. If Karmyn and Jasalyn’s goblin friend both see a way out of the bargain, then we need to find it. Quickly.”
“I’ll go with her,” Kendrick says. “I’ll help her find the witch, and I’ll keep her safe.”
Brie’s eyes soften. “Thank you.” Then she straightens and surveys the table and claps her hands. “We all have work do to. No sense in sitting around here any longer.”
Chairs scrape against the floor as everyone stands and slowly disperses toward the door.
“We’ll leave at first light,” Natan is telling Kendrick as we all flow out into the hall. “There’s an open portal just north of the swamps that we can reach in five hours on horseback.”
“My goblin would take you,” my sister says, coming to walk beside us.
“We only use goblins when it can’t be avoided,” Natan tells her. “They already know too much, and we don’t want their movements getting back to the Seven.”
“That’s fair,” she says. “What about the Eloran portal in my Hall of Doors? It’s not nearly so far to ride.”
“That would be amazing,” Skylar says, but Brie’s attention is on Kendrick. She knows who’s in charge of this group.
“Thank you,” Kendrick says. “That would help a great deal.”
Abriella flashes me a weak smile. “I’m trying to be supportive,” she says, “even if every instinct is telling me to stay here and protect you.”
“I know,” I tell her.
With a nod, she disappears into thin air.
“Gods, I want to be able to do that,” Skylar says.
Remme grunts. “Eat your vegetables like a good girl and maybe someday you can.”
Skylar makes a vulgar gesture that makes the whole group laugh.
“Pack light,” Kendrick says. “I don’t know how long we’ll be gone, but we can get anything we need while there.”
Anticipation hums in my veins at the idea of another adventure with this group. Whether the next five days are my last or the precursor to an entire immortal existence, I know one thing for sure: I don’t want to spend them locked up in my room at the Midnight Palace.
“Skylar?” I call when she turns down a hall away from the group.
She spins, her brows shooting up. “What’s up, kid?”
I pull my hair up, holding it loosely at the crown of my head. “Could you fix my hair like you did last time?”
Her eyes light up. “The princess is back in her fancy palace with her fancy servants, and she wants me to do her hair?”
I scowl. “I could call someone else, I just thought—”
“Don’t you dare. They’ll try to do some spell to grow it all even or something. My way suits you better. Way more badass.”
I arch a brow. “You think I’m badass?”
“I’ve never met anyone who’s fought a Cerberus and lived to tell the tale. If that isn’t badass, I don’t know what is.” She waves her hand. “Follow me.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Felicity
The morning air is cool. It feels good after being cooped up in that meeting room. We have a plan for tomorrow, finally, and though it might be a death wish, none of us can stomach not trying. I came straight to the terrace, hoping fresh air could clear my mind. The birds around the Midnight Palace chirp and sing, as if celebrating the reappearance of the sun.