Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“Yes, Majesty.” The soldier marched off a second time.
“Alive,” I called. “Only alive. Remember what I said,” I snapped at the king. “Believe me, just this once.”
He scowled but nodded, calling, “Alive.”
Thank the good Lord. I nearly collapsed with relief. But sadness for Ahav soon crept in. His world had just been turned inside out. Now, at least, the real work could begin. We had a chance of saving the kingdom.
Speaking of. “I can find the Ember of Everlight,” I blurted. Uh. I can? I’d intended to help him search, not flat-out state I could do what no one else had done.
He jolted, as if I’d hit him with a cattle prod. “Do you know where it is?”
The Ring’s flames hummed, a call answered by the marrow of my bones. “Mount Emerald.” I rubbed my temple and nodded, an odd certainty sprouting. “Yes. We’ll recognize the Ember at Mount Emerald.”
He stood still for a long while, then worked his jaw. “We leave for Mount Emerald in one hour. Be ready.”
Exactly what I’d hoped for. But tremors paired with flutters, threatening my composure. “Tinman comes with me, and that’s non-negotiable.” It was time—past time—I set him free. If he hurt our cause, he hurt it, but I couldn’t carry the guilt of his imprisonment any longer.
“Agreed.” My father raised his chin. “I want him as far away from the palace as possible.”
In other words, get the monstra away from the pregnant queen. And maybe Jasher would choose to stick with us. Aid us. Maybe not. But either way, I wouldn’t change my mind about granting his freedom.
Mom’s gaze remained on me, intense and probing. “I’ll escort our honored guest to her quarters so that she may prepare for the journey,” she announced. “With my guards close, I’ll be perfectly safe.”
Before the king could refuse, I echoed, “She will be perfectly safe.” I was certain of that, too, because I would let nothing happen to her. But after reading that last journal entry, I had questions only my mother could answer.
The king opened and closed his mouth as if warming up a refusal, but in the end, he nodded and said, “Do not enter the room or near the creature.”
“Yes, my love.” She kissed his cheek and strode around the flames with the escort of ten on her heels. Upon reaching me, she wound her arm through mine and led me toward the exit.
As we entered the hallway, I nearly cried with happiness. Look at me, arm in arm with my mother. Her beloved honeysuckle and jasmine scent enveloped me, a comfort I’d missed with every fiber of my being after her disappearance.
“There’s something so familiar about you, Oracle,” she said, leading me slowly. So slowly. We passed other rooms in the catacombs, opulent areas with servants hard at work. “I think we’ve met before. Have we?”
Rather than answer flat out, I repeated her question. “Have we?”
“Hmm. The puzzle pieces are there but scattered,” she muttered.
I tamped down the urge to lean my head on her shoulder, tighten my hold on her, and spill every secret I’d ever kept from her. But I was set to leave in an hour and hunt down the Ember able to save her. Making such a life-altering announcement could derail those plans. I mean, really. Surprise! I might be the baby in your belly.
“Perhaps we met before King Ahav found you.” I could think of no better way to introduce the subject. “The time before you lost your memory.”
Stiffness invaded her limbs. “Perhaps.” She didn’t elaborate, as I hoped. “Tell me about the monstra you came with.” The command of a royal assured of her power.
I flowed with her. “His name is J—Tinman.” I wouldn’t break my promise to him, even though she was my mother. “He saved my life more than once, and now I’m trying to save his. Along with finding the Ember and saving the kingdom, of course.”
“I’m still reeling over Ian’s betrayal,” she said and sighed, slowing our pace even more, drawing out our interaction. “I’m having trouble reconciling the evil Ian you painted, the very one who sent that atrocious note, versus the honorable guardian I’ve known these past two years.”
In this, I could be totally transparent. “He’s very good at pretending. But if he has his way, he’ll kill you and the king and rule in your place, using the people’s fear of the monstra to maintain strict control.” Mandatory decapitations for the smallest of crimes. “What reason does Ian have to hate King Ahav?”
“I can think of none.” We reached my chamber door and stopped. Facing me, she clasped my hands in hers. Concern etched her delicate features. “His father worked for Ahav’s father, so they grew up together. They share interests, histories, and hopes.”
Had he concealed his wickedness all along, playing the long con, as my dad accused Jasher, or had something changed him?