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)
Konner races into the room and pulls me into his arms.
And I stiffen. I stiffen because I can’t seem to remember what the oracle showed me that brought me here tonight. I can’t remember why I killed that male on the floor.
Wake. Up.
This isn’t right. None of it. I’m not supposed to be here.
And I know as clearly as I know my own name that the male holding me against his chest might be my biological brother, but he isn’t the male raised by my side, and I’ve spent my whole life running from him.
Chapter Three
Jasalyn
There is no mantra, no measured breathing, no ring that could allow me to explore Feegus Keep without this horrible pit of fear in my belly. I’ve been here for hours and it’s no better now than it was when I walked away from my goblin and turned my Enchanting Lady smile on the guards at the front gate.
The halls I’ve roamed show no sign of the atrocities that are committed inside these walls. Somewhere deep beneath these winding corridors, with their meeting spaces and utilitarian bunk rooms, is the dungeon where Mordeus held me, where I spent the worst weeks of my life.
Thanks to my ring, the guards only saw the Enchanting Lady. They had no idea how much I was shaking on the inside. But any boldness I might feel from these successes—entering this stronghold and exploring it freely—is dampened by the feeling that I’m being followed.
I look over my shoulder again, and again I see only those who seem to belong here. I glance toward the windows at the end of the stone hall to estimate how much time I have left before the sun rises. The moon is still high, but I could spend the entire night searching for the sword and still not see every room in this place. Its endless, curving stairwells alone are too much, and that’s not even counting the levels beneath the surface I’ve been avoiding.
You slept for eight months. You can’t afford to let fear slow you now.
Down the hall someone is coming toward me, whistling. Her robe is cinched around her waist and there’s a towel thrown over her shoulder as if she’s just come from the shower.
“Excuse me!” I call, jogging toward her. She stops and flashes me a bright smile. “I’m looking for the Sword of Fire.”
The Sword of Fire is supposed to have a special magic that can take you anywhere you want to go and kill even the strongest immortal. Kendrick was hoping we could find the mythical sword at Feegus Keep. He wanted it so I could find and kill Erith, the wicked leader who’s brought harm on so many Elorans. I want it to find and kill Mordeus.
“You are so kind,” she says, stepping toward me like there’s a magnet drawing her my way. “I want to help you. Anything you need.”
I grapple for my patience. I need this ring to get these people to do my bidding, but the fawning I’ve encountered with each person I’ve spoken to has become tedious. “Tell me where I can find the Sword of Fire.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t know what that is, but I’ll help you look.”
I manage to contain my sigh of frustration. So far no one I’ve spoken with knows anything about the sword. It makes sense that Mordeus wouldn’t have told everyone stationed here about the valuables they’re guarding, but surely someone knows.
I try again. “Where does Mordeus keep his most valuable possessions?”
“He was wise, though perhaps not as wise as you. He keeps them throughout the court and some in the Eloran Palace.”
“What about the sacred items he’s stored here?”
“I don’t know.” She frowns and shakes her head. “I’m so sorry. Let me help you look?”
“Can you tell me where I can find the person who would know?”
“Commander Rieckus knows all the secrets of the keep.”
“And where can I find this Rieckus?”
“She resides below the earth, behind the dungeons, where she can keep an eye on the prisoners. She can be cruel, though, and I don’t want you to be hurt.”
The dungeons. Despite the horror grasping at my throat, I treat her to a smile. “I promise I won’t be. Now go to bed and get some rest.”
She nods eagerly. “Of course. If that’s what you’d like.”
I would do anything to avoid going down to the dungeons, and it’s tempting. Maybe what I’m looking for isn’t even here, but I don’t want to leave before asking the commander. At the very least, perhaps she can give me an idea of where to look next.
Behind me, a sword sings as it’s pulled free from its hilt.
I unsheathe my dagger and spin, finding a wide-eyed male. “Milady, I only thought perhaps I could offer you my sword?”
My heart races. You are the Enchanting Lady. No one will hurt you so long as you wear the ring. Breathe.