Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
“I will endeavor to bring Adrian and Prince Shey out safely,” Haru promised.
The call ended shortly after, but the unsettled feeling grew in his chest. Adrian set his phone on the table and paced the small room. It wasn’t all that long ago that he’d been eager to get home to Stormbreak and return to his old life. That feeling was still there, but so was the need to settle things here in Damardor.
The trip to the containment facility in Milway had only added to the urgency. He’d witnessed firsthand the hundreds of people who’d been held against their will in Voxmore, but what had happened here was even more terrifying. When actual gods became involved, there was no telling how their powers would lash out.
“These people have no idea what kind of magic they’re messing with,” Adrian muttered under his breath. There wasn’t much space for pacing in the tiny room. The hotel they’d found in Milway was a tiny thing. They’d wanted a place that was likely to fly under Ruben’s radar until they could return to Bellcairn. For the time being, they had no interest in running into the rich schmuck.
His gaze skimmed the surroundings. It was a narrow room with beige walls, a pair of double beds with green comforters with a disturbingly busy design, a couple of chairs, and a coffee table. The other room was a bit nicer, with a view of the street. After being stuck in a cell for so long, Adrian thought Tyche and Shey would appreciate some natural light. The plan was to stay here for a night and return to Bellcairn on the morning train, where they could hook up with Vitor and make some plans.
“Am I making a mistake staying here? Would it make more sense to argue for Shey to return home? He’s the freaking crown prince of Caspagir. Shouldn’t he be more concerned with his own people than those of Damardor?”
“What business is that of yours?”
Adrian stopped where he was, and his head popped up to find Haru watching him with an inquisitive expression and a slight smile. “It’s my business because I’m worried about him, and I don’t want to see him get hurt.”
“True, but you can’t decide for him how he’s going to live his life. Even if he wasn’t a prince, he would still have the freedom to make those choices, whether you agree with them or not.”
Adrian lifted a hand and pointed at Haru. “You…are not allowed to spout so much sense. You’re supposed to agree with me.”
“You are too strong to surround yourself with people who will agree with you blindly.”
“But you think I need flattery?”
Haru lifted one elegant shoulder. “Yes, but we all do.”
The dragon’s sweet words would not sway him. “Do you think I’m wrong for wanting to stay? My job is to protect the king. Am I really doing that from here?”
“Adrian Westergren is more than his job. He is a smart, talented man with a big heart. Like Prince Shey, you have seen these people in need and wish to help them with the skills you have.” Haru shoved to his feet from where he had been perched on the arm of the chair and crossed to stand in front of Adrian. “Besides, aren’t you assuming these people don’t know they are hunting gods? Ruben may be in the dark, or he could be hiding the truth from us. I do not feel as confident regarding his boss. What if their true goal isn’t controlling people with magic but controlling gods?”
“Seriously?”
“It’s a possibility. We still know too little, and what we do know, I do not trust. However, I believe that what happens here won’t be limited to Damardor or New Rosanthe. If these people have the power to seize control of those two countries, what is to stop them? Will it be all of Erya’s armies? Caspagir’s navy? A horde of dragons racing across the skies? I would prefer it to not reach that point if we can stop them now.”
Adrian closed his eyes and let himself release a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. His body tensed and immediately relaxed when Haru’s long, slender fingers slid into his hair and pushed it back from his forehead in a tender caress.
“You need to relax. Celebrate the victory we have achieved. We have located and rescued the crown prince of Caspagir. That is good because he’s your friend. It is good for Caspagir. And it is good for Erya. All things you’ve done.”
A smile twisted Adrian’s lips. “With a lot of help from you.”
“It was fun. You should also remember that you have helped to save the God of Luck. Tyche does not strike me as the type to forget something like that.” Haru lowered his voice to near a whisper. “As someone constantly managing good and bad luck, he is probably someone who seeks balance. Right now, he owes you.”