Total pages in book: 401
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
Stepping aside, I extended my arm. She dutifully started forward, head down and hands clasped. No sway to her hips. I hadn’t been sure she knew how to walk in a way that wasn’t like she was engaging in some illicit activity. Either this wasn’t her or… Or she was doing what she had done for centuries. Acting. The beleaguered mistress. The broken lover. The benevolent Queen. The loving caregiver. All acts.
Aware that Valyn and Attes trailed behind me, I followed her. I didn’t look at the crowd. I couldn’t get distracted by what I knew I would see on their faces—confirmation of how poorly I had handled myself.
Heavy clouds gathered overhead filling the air with the scent of rain. Their shadows seemed to follow us as we climbed the wide steps. As we passed under the colonnade, the doors swung open.
She stopped before me. “Penellaphe?”
“What did I say?” I halted behind her.
“I know what you said. I listened,” she replied, looking over her shoulder at me. “Now, it’s your turn to listen.”
Essence rose, pressing against my flesh as I stopped myself from picturing my hands around her throat.
“If I don’t walk back out of here,” she said softly, “this city will be a tomb by the time the sun sets.”
A chill swept down my spine.
She strolled forward, and I warned myself not to react. The moment she stepped inside, a soft whoosh echoed around us, and the torches along the exterior wall and framing the doors flickered and went out.
It was almost as if Seraphena was displaying her displeasure. I winced, mouthing, “Sorry.”
Then I said out loud, “Valyn?”
“Yes, my Queen?”
“Make sure the people are safely returned to their homes.”
He hesitated for a moment. I knew he wanted to follow us, but I would not allow him to be around whatever this thing was.
His armor creaked softly as he gave me a rigid bow. “Yes, my Queen.”
Exhaling slowly, I entered behind her as Attes followed. My gaze swept past the pillars and across the darkened cella to Casteel. He stood on the dais in front of the throne, arms crossed over his chest and impossibly still. He wasn’t alone. At his side was a fawn-colored wolven.
Kieran.
He stood impossibly still, head lowered, and bright-blue eyes fixed on her.
The doors shut behind us.
And just like that, the thing before me dropped its act.
Her tinkling laugh echoed through the cella. “There you are. Both of you.” She proceeded forward, her hips swaying. “I was starting to get worried.”
Casteel’s lips curved up at the corner. Unfolding his arms, he hopped down from the dais. Kieran followed, his claws scraping off the stone. “I’m sure you were.” His steps were slow, measured. “I would like to know what you did to the soldiers to allow you entry.”
“Versus cutting off my head?” she mused. “I can be very convincing. As you should know, Casteel.”
Kieran’s lip lifted as he growled.
She tsked softly. “Now, now. We will have none of that, will we, Penellaphe?”
Casteel’s gaze lifted to mine.
“She says if she doesn’t walk back out of here alive, the city will be a tomb by night,” I told them.
He showed little reaction to that. “Pretty sure you’re dead.”
She glanced around as she trailed slender fingers over the pillar’s golden veins. “Are you?”
“Yes,” I answered.
The hem of her gown glided over the floor as she turned. “If I am dead, then what am I, as I stand here before you?”
“An annoyance?” I suggested as Kieran crept forward, no longer making a sound as the powerful muscles in his back rolled under his fur.
“That’s not very nice, Penellaphe.” Something flashed in her eyes. “I raised you better than that.”
“You didn’t—” I stopped myself, my chin lifting. This wasn’t her. It couldn’t be. She had to be something else. Another god? One like a changeling? But the vadentia was silent. “What are you?”
“Do you think you and the true Primal of Life are the only ones who can restore life?” she questioned. “He, the true King, resurrected me.”
“From what?” I demanded. “You were nothing more than ash by the time I was done with you.”
“And we rise from ash, don’t we?”
Casteel’s eyes narrowed as eather briefly pulsed in his eyes. Luckily, she was focused on me—well, who was behind me. I stepped sideways so I could still keep an eye on her.
“You…” Her dark gaze moved slowly over Attes. “You, I have not seen before.” Her lips tipped up as she extended a slender arm, her other hand trailing down the swell of a breast.
My eyes rolled so far back that they nearly fell out of my head.
“It is an honor to meet you,” she said.
Attes arched a brow, keeping his hands to himself. “Can’t say the same.”
She eyed him for a moment and then let out another peal of laughter. She lowered her hand. “You are why I’m here.”