Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115347 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115347 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
The newcomers drew up short, stopping only a few feet away before she decided how to proceed.
Micah sheathed his weapons and snagged an arm around her waist, keeping her nearby.
Well. She might as well make the best of this terrible situation. Relaxing against him, she examined their uninvited guests. Elena wore a tunic and leather pants, her pale hair hanging in a braid over each shoulder. Sabot was shirtless, like Micah, his leathers streaked with dirt.
The centaurs were both male, beautiful and big. The largest Viori had ever seen, with wide shoulders, barrel chests and muscular bodies covered in spotted fur. Tattoos covered their torsos.
She bristled on instinct, gearing to launch an attack. Micah reached out and cupped her shoulder. A gesture of comfort and assurance.
“The centaurs won’t touch you.” The simple statement packed weight. Both the creatures and their riders paled.
Viori cleared her throat and smoothed her dress with trembling hands. “As if I didn’t know that.”
Elena and Sabot dismounted. The rides bowed to Micah and trotted off to the side, where they settled and helped each other unpack supplies.
“Micah,” Elena began. Her gaze fell to his bare chest, and her eyes nearly bugged out, as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “You are... You...”
Micah raised his chin, radiating defiance.
Viori’s irritation surged anew. Had the female never seen Micah without his shirt? Well, too bad for her. The blonde wasn’t allowed to ogle him now. Mine. She rested her head on his shoulder and petted a tangle of his scars in a blatant claim of ownership.
“You are interrupting your king and queen, so of course you are scheduled for immediate execution,” she announced with her snottiest tone. “We were minutes away from retiring to bed. Together. Isn’t that right, darling?” She angled her face toward her husband’s and nipped at his earlobe. For his hearing alone, she whispered, “Perhaps we should stay in bed forever. There, our fight ends, and our pleasure begins, eh?”
He jolted, his fingers flexing on her waist. “Bed. Together.”
Elena looked between them, becoming pallid. Good!
“I’m waiting,” he told the intruders. “Why are you here?”
“Tell them,” Sabot commanded the blonde, his disgust clear.
“I returned from the palace this morning,” Elena began with a defiant jut of her chin, “and I have much to share about Pearl Jean. Among other things.”
Cookie had mentioned this Pearl Jean before. A fae who desired the king for her very own. But how did he feel about his admirer? “Who is this Pearl Jean person to you?” Viori demanded.
“No one. An old crone. A hag of the highest order.” He arched a brow. “Why do you care?”
She pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth. “Why do you care why I care?”
Did amusement spark in his eyes?
“Shall I tell you the rest?” Elena inserted, not masking her irritation.
Micah stiffened before giving a single shake of his head. “I’ll hear your report in a bit.” A command to keep the details secret from Viori.
A twinge of hurt toughened her spine, too. Obviously, their truce was over. Though, yes, she understood the need for concealment. She wasn’t that self-deluded.
“Why are you here?” he demanded of the blonde.
More chin jutting. “Norok suggested I patrol the campgrounds and alert him of your return. I opted to find you, and Sabot refused to relinquish his duty as my guard.”
“So you disobeyed a direct command from a superior.” A leader never issued a suggestion. Micah crossed his arms over his chest. “Whatever your reasons, you will face the consequences of your actions. You know this, yes?”
A nod without reservation or apology. “I do.”
Yet she’d done it, anyway. Well. Viori kind of hated how much she admired the girl right now. But Elena still ogled Micah’s chest, as if she had every right to do so, and Viori longed to address the matter with the fight of the century.
Micah moved toward his people, abandoning her yet again, snapping at her over his shoulder, “Stay there and behave.”
He... She... Oh! She wrapped her arms around her middle, fighting a sudden sense of rejection. So she was alone. So what? No other fae nearby, no problems. Nothing to see here.
She didn’t care that Micah, Elena and Sabot whispered heatedly to each other on the opposite side of the glen. Nope. Not even a little. Because she was too busy eating the bread Micah had foolishly abandoned. Bread he didn’t deserve. But he would certainly miss it when it was gone, wouldn’t he?
Defiant, she swallowed every crumb, not the slightest bit upset when the pieces settled like lead balls in her stomach.
Not. Even. A. Little.
It wasn’t long before Elena broke from the males and stomped over to settle beside her. Viori prepared to bestow a stinging rebuke, but pressed her lips together when the beauty winked in and out of view, as if flittering in place.