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)
“Like a portal,” I say.
Hector flashes me an endearing smile. “Ah, but unlike a portal, the ley line is part of the earth, which means the Seven can’t take it away.”
“That’s incredible.” I frown. “But why didn’t you just tell my sister we’d be using ley lines so she didn’t have to worry about us being so far from Fairscape?”
“We don’t make it a habit to share all our secrets,” Remme says, “especially not with those from Faerie. Though if I were to choose someone to trust with them, your sister would be high on the list.”
“Right there,” Hector says, pointing to a maple tree on the side of the road. “Walk just to the left of the tree but so close your shoulder brushes the bark.”
“I’ll go first,” Skylar says, jumping ahead of us.
I watch as she walks along the left side of the tree, her shoulder rubbing against it, and then she’s gone. Natan follows, and then Remme.
“You go next, and I’ll be right behind,” Kendrick says.
I roll my shoulders back and copy the others, brushing the tree so close it scratches my skin. I expect it to feel like goblin travel—the stomach flipping and world spinning—but it’s as if I just walked by the tree and my surroundings suddenly changed. The roads here are stone and the streets have oil lanterns along them.
Remme grins. “Kind of cool, yeah?”
“So cool,” I agree, returning his smile.
The others join us and Hector jogs to the front of the group, hurrying us along, but Loryn walks backward and scans the group again. “Your glamours—are those from mage magic?”
Kendrick nods. “Natan cooked up more of his potion.”
Hector nods approvingly. “Good. The Seven are more sensitive than ever to the use of elven magic. I’ve seen people dragged away for as little as a minor lighting spell. Be on your guard. It’s not worth using anything that might put you in their sights.”
“Noted,” Kendrick says as Loryn bounces up the steps of a modest two-story cottage.
She opens the door and waves us inside, where a woman is standing at the stove and the smell of stew fills the warm space and makes it feel cozy.
“Amelia!” Skylar shouts, and the woman turns away from the stove and toward us. She’s beautiful. Nearly as tall as Kendrick, with dark hair and smiling eyes. The full figure beneath her leather pants and vest looks like it’s been trained for fighting, and I’m instantly a little jealous of the aura of strength and competency she exudes.
“You made it!” She drops a spoon on the counter and rushes toward us, hugging everyone eagerly before finally making it to me.
I stiffen as she looks me over, gaze flitting down my body and back up before focusing on my face. I wish I’d asked Natan to glamour away my scar. I’m not up for explaining it to a stranger.
“No wonder he’s in love with you.” She grins, shaking her head. “You’re stunning. Your babies will be heartbreakers.”
Confused, I look back and forth between her and Kendrick. “I’m sorry. I think you might have me confused for someone else.” Like Crissa. Like his queen.
She levels Kendrick with a look. “Did you bring some other woman to my house? This isn’t Jasalyn?”
Kendrick’s cheeks are tinged pink. “Jasalyn, this is Amelia. She’s known for her melt-in-your-mouth meals, her mean right hook, and her inappropriate comments.”
“Don’t forget my beautiful hand-stitched clothing,” she says, then to me adds, “I sell them in the storefront next door.”
“Indeed,” Kendrick says. “Amelia, this is Jasalyn, who hasn’t yet come around to the idea of having my babies so maybe cool it on that for a few years so you don’t scare her off?”
My stomach does some sort of flip-flop tumble maneuver that leaves me feeling a little lightheaded. “Sorry. I thought maybe you expected . . .” I swallow. I don’t want to say her name.
Amelia squeezes my shoulder. “He was a mess when they couldn’t find you. Glad you’re okay.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“Could you tell me where we can wash up before dinner?” Kendrick asks.
“Top of the stairs, first door on the left,” Amelia says.
“Hale can take the room on the far end of the hall,” Loryn says.
“Hush, woman.” Hector nudges his wife with an elbow. “He can sleep wherever he pleases.”
She grunts, and Amelia turns her attention to me. “Bathing chamber is on the opposite side of the hall. We all share. I apologize I can’t offer you better.”
I hate that my shadow court title makes her feel like she needs to. “You’re offering more than enough. I grew up sharing a bathing chamber with my cousins and sister—and my sister and I were only allowed to use it when our cousins were out of the house. This will be more than sufficient.”
Hector’s eyes soften. “What a sweet girl.”