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)
“Did everything go okay?” she asks, pushing out of her seat to pour two fresh mugs of tea.
“More or less,” Kendrick says. “We’ve been gone too long. People start losing faith that change is coming when they don’t see progress.”
“It was fine,” Natan says. “He’s just in his head about everything.”
Amelia nods, but I can tell she’s fighting back a frown. “Natan, Remme is sitting out back. He said to send you out there when you got home.”
Natan’s eyes brighten, and he hoists his mug in the air. “Does he already have one of these or should I take one for him?”
“He’s chosen the kind of refreshment you drink straight from the flask tonight,” she says, winking.
“Ah, in that case . . .” Natan pours a second mug of steaming tea, and Amelia watches as he heads out back.
“I’ve missed them,” she says softly before turning her attention back to Kendrick. “Hurry and save the realm so I can have my brother back, okay?”
I put my mug down. “Natan is your brother?” But as soon as I say it, I realize my mistake. She and Remme have the same dark hair and deep brown eyes. “You’re Remme’s sister.”
She shrugs. “Natan is a bit of an honorary brother, but yes. I share blood with Remme.”
“A few short years ago, she wouldn’t have admitted to that so easily,” Kendrick says.
“He was a pest to grow up beside. Just ask Felicity. He tormented her nearly as much as he tormented me.” She smiles into her tea. “But I suppose after seeing him so rarely in the last few years, I’ve learned to appreciate him.”
“I hope he gets to come home soon,” I say. “He and Natan both. Someone as kind as you deserves to have her family around her.”
She flashes me a grateful look and then draws in a shaky breath and slaps the table. “Anyway! Enough about me and my depressing life. You must be exhausted. Go put on your pajamas and I’ll find some extra blankets since it’s getting cold tonight.”
I laugh. “We packed light. Didn’t exactly bring pajamas.” I glance down at my riding clothes and shrug. “I can just sleep in these.”
She scoffs. “You have a night with the handsome and charming Hale Kendrick and you’re going to spend it wearing stinky riding clothes? No. I won’t have that. Come follow me.”
I rise obediently, following her toward the stairs. I sneak a glance at Kendrick, who merely winks before leaning back in his chair with his tea.
“I don’t have anything fancy,” she says as she leads me into the bedroom. She pulls open a drawer and rifles through it. “How about this?” She pulls out a piece of silky cyan fabric and holds it up for my inspection.
My cheeks flare hot as I take in the slip. Truth be told, there’s not much to it. “I do hope you have those extra blankets if I’m going to wear that.”
“The client I had in mind for this is a bit fuller bodied than you, so it might slip off the shoulders, but with this style it doesn’t much matter.”
I drag my bottom lip between my teeth. “Do you think he’d like that?” I’ve had so little time for vanity in my life. I was far too fixated on revenge and fear to worry about how I look or if a male might find me attractive, but right now I very much want to wear something that Kendrick will like me in.
Her bit-back laughter puffs out as a light snort. “Oh, I think so.” She nods toward the door. “Why don’t you go across the hall and get cleaned up and changed? There’s some water waiting by the fire. Should still be warm enough. I’ll send Kendrick up to join you in a few minutes.”
She heads for the door.
“Amelia?” I look down at the silky blue fabric one more time before meeting her curious gaze. “Thank you.”
She flashes me a grin that reminds me so much of Remme I’m not sure how I didn’t see it before. “I am more than happy to assist in matters of seduction.”
My cheeks heat. “Not that . . . well, that too, but thank you for being so friendly.” I swallow. “I haven’t had a lot of friends, and I don’t know whether the oracle will help us with what we need so I’ll have the chance to make more. For what it’s worth, I’m grateful I met you.”
Her expression turns solemn. “If the oracle doesn’t give you the information you need, you’ll find it somewhere else. I believe that.” She pulls open the door to my bedroom and waves me inside. “As for the rest, I am honored to be your friend. We’ll have lots and lots of nights where I can tease Hale about how much he adores you. I can’t wait to spend years watching the way he lights up whenever you’re in the room.” She backs into the hall and gives me a final nod. “Rest well.”