Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 67437 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67437 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
In a short time, I had convinced her to submit to me. Yet, her submission came with the ultimatum that I be a better king.
But what did being a better king mean? Did it mean showing mercy to these blood mage sisters? Or did it mean doing whatever it took to bring Phinova back to her rightful place by my side?
I shook my head, forcing those thoughts aside. I couldn’t afford to second-guess myself now. The stakes were too high.
But, do I tell Seraphine about the pawns? Or. . .should I wait until I reveal my possession of them to everyone?
I didn’t want my second queen to get mad and try to escape again. While it would be no problem to keep Seraphine trapped to me, I preferred her wanting to stay by my side.
No. She must not know. Not yet.
With a sigh, I turned to leave and left the little blood mages among the dimly lit space.
In two days, none of this will matter anyway. The Horned King will see the girls and hand over Phinova.
I exited the pink tent.
Outside, the storm continued to rage.
I went over to the guard on the left. He was a seasoned soldier, his face etched with lines of battles fought and won. His salute was firm, his gaze steady, a respectful silence hanging in the air between us.
I entered his mind.
How have the girls been?
Not knowing that I could hear him, he sent me the thought.
Scared, master. They’ve been asking for their father.
A pang of guilt ran through me at his words. Their father was dead. He hadn’t fit into my plans, so I ordered him to be killed along with the new wife that I gave him long ago.
Again. . .for some reason. . .now that I was healed. . .it didn’t feel right.
I put my attention back on the guard.
But, they have been fed and kept safe?
The guard sent the thought.
No harm has come to them, master, but they never truly eat. However, sometimes they nibble.
I rummaged through his mind, confirming this fact.
I nodded and walked further into the storm.
The rain pounded against my leather cloak. It was a relentless assault that mirrored the turmoil within me.
The guilt.
The anger.
The regret.
The fear.
It all churned together in a maelstrom of emotions with my chest.
But I couldn’t afford to be weak. Not now, when so much was at stake. I needed to be strong, to be ruthless if necessary. It was the only way to ensure victory and get Phinova back.
And my second queen would have to understand once she learned about their role in my game of possession.
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