Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“Just while I speak to my sister. It’s too dangerous for you to go back to your lake permanently.” Was it, though? “Grimwood has a vested interest in you not being able to speak of what he did ever again.”
“I know. I would just like to see it.”
I wish I could see her in it too.
But stopping Celestine before she did something incredibly stupid was more important than my desires.
“Sure. Then go spend some time, revitalize; you are going to need your strength for the way back.”
We both looked at each other like we wanted to say something, but in the end, I just nodded at her and started off with Vishen. I broke into a run, not trusting myself not to turn back if I didn’t get as far as fast as I could.
It was only maybe another fifteen minutes before I heard the wheels of a carriage dragging across the ground, snapping twigs and crunching old, dry leaves.
Then there were the draca.
And the flags.
Then, upon closer inspection, my sister’s spouse, with his blonde hair and stern look. As if sensing my thoughts—though his power was sensing feelings—he glanced up and spotted me.
I watched his mouth move as he, I assumed, spoke to Cece because just a second later, the carriage came to a stop.
The far door burst open, and then there she was.
We didn’t look much alike except for the eyes. We both had Cass’s eyes.
“Well, well, well,” she said, shooting me a smirk. “I didn’t expect a welcoming committee.”
“This isn’t a welcoming committee. This is a ‘what the fuck do you think you’re doing’ search and rescue party.”
Her chin lifted. “I could ask you the same thing.”
“Can you? Because I’m not the one trespassing on the other Court during an already tense time. With an entire fucking army of draca.”
“We are traveling under a white flag.”
“Yeah, because Cass would give a single fuck about that.”
“Unfortunately, some risks have to be taken for the sake of diplomacy.”
“You expect any conversation with our father to end in anything other than you being drained of your powers, tortured, and killed?”
“I mean, we had our… issues. But he actually protected me once…”
“Celestine, he will kill you. Have you not heard the rumors in your realm?”
She glanced over at Jasper, then back at me.
“Rumors can’t be trusted.”
“In this case, they can. If things are going the way I believe they are going, you don’t have to worry about war. But if you do stupid-ass shit like this, it will be inevitable.”
“Unfortunately, I’m here because my people are furious with you and demanded all-out war.”
“In the Light Court?” I asked, dubious.
“Well, what do you expect when one of ours is violently torn from their home and disappears?”
Wait.
No.
I glanced over at Vishen.
“Tell me the lake is in our fucking realm.”
“It’s a… gray area.”
“Not to my people.”
“Shit.”
“You knew about this? That someone kidnapped the Daughter of the Lake?”
“You could say that. She’s my wife.”
The color drained from my sister’s face.
“You kidnapped a woman to marry you?”
“It’s heartwarming how well you think of me. I’m touched, truly.”
“Answer me.”
“No, I didn’t kidnap Serin. She was kidnapped to put in place of the daughter of a powerful man I was supposed to marry.”
“And she just… went along with it?”
“She was drugged.”
“But now you know… and you’re still married to her?”
“It’s complicated. She’s safest with me now. Don’t you think I would have gotten her out if I could have?”
“I don’t know what to think with the Unseelie Court lately. The things I’m hearing…”
“They’re probably all true. And worse.”
“And you don’t expect an all-out war? You can’t allow women to be kidnapped and sold into marriage. What is wrong with you?”
“I don’t have time to explain my plans to you. Actually, you don’t have time. If word gets out that you crossed into this realm—with draca no less—then you will be in a dungeon before noon, listening to your father ripping parts of your little empath off, piece by piece until he begs to be given the true death.”
Something flickered across Celestine’s eyes.
“Listen to me. Anything you think you know about the Dark Court no longer applies.”
Cece took a step forward. “Are you safe?”
“Worried about me?”
“Stop being a dick and answer the question.”
“Am I safe? No. Absolutely not. But I’m working on it. And I really don’t need intrusion from the Light Court right now.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Aside from turning around and dragging your ass back across the border? No.”
“Are you at risk from outside or from our father?” she asked, her voice a whisper.
“Are you implying it could only be one?”
“Jet…”
“Don’t pity me, Big Sister,” I said, shaking my head. “I have plans. You and I both know nothing will get in the way of me and my throne. Not even our piece of shit father.”
“I believe you think you’ve got this. But I’m worried you’re more cocky than strategic. One man can’t overtake an entire kingdom.”