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)
It was possible.
But so were a hundred other scenarios. That was the problem. The threat could be coming from outside or within. All we knew was it was coming. Soon. And we were running out of time.
“Jet?” Serin whispered, making us both turn to see her standing there, still in one of my shirts, her hair bed-messy. “Is everything okay?”
“Isn’t Nira with you?”
“She just said your father needed you.”
“My father needed to rant and rave, as usual. Did you have another nightmare?” I asked, waving her over.
“Yeah,” she admitted as she got close enough to my desk for me to reach and pull her onto my lap.
Vishen’s brows rose, but he said nothing.
Serin curled into me, her body soft, her face going to my neck.
“I’ll leave you two.”
“Hey, look over this,” I said, producing the page of ramblings. “See if there is anything that could be true in it.”
“I’ll let you know,” he said, moving out into the hall, closing the door behind him. I could hear the sound of his and Nira’s voices growing more distant as they moved down the hall.
“Was it the same dream?”
“No. This time, I was in Grimwood’s cellar… dehydrating with no hope of a sip of water.”
“That’s not gonna happen,” I promised her as my hand slid up and down her spine.
“What time is it?”
“Almost dawn.”
“Are you coming back to bed?”
“I’m awake now. I can bring you back to bed, though, sit with you while you fall asleep.”
“I should probably stay awake too. Nira said it is going to be a ‘whole event’ to get me ready for today. Whatever that means.”
“Are you nervous about today?”
“A little. I think I’m more excited, though. Aren’t you?”
“I’ve been to these every year as long as I can remember. It’s lost its luster. But I’m glad you’re excited. Which event are you most excited for?”
“The sword fighting will be interesting because I know a thing or two about it now. But jousting sounds interesting. And the ax throwing and archery sounds interesting. I’m not interested in the melee.”
“That can be brutal. You don’t have to watch. You could take that time to excuse yourself to the restroom or something.”
“Okay. I feel better about that then. I don’t know why anyone would want to watch a bunch of people just… brawling.”
“Violence will always entertain some people.”
“Would you continue it when you’re ruling?”
“Would you want me to end it?”
“It’s not up to me.”
“If I said it was.”
“I would maybe phase it out or transform it into some other feats of strength. Or grappling. I think that was the word Nira used.”
“Yeah. Instead of a free-for-all, a one-on-one fight with rules.”
“Exactly.”
“That could be done.”
“You don’t have to change anything because of my sensibilities.”
“It’s a pointless event. Limbs have been severed, rendering good soldiers and guards useless in their professions. It creates fights among the common folk because of betting on certain men. It’s a mess as it is. Pleasing you is a bonus.”
“Just a bonus?” she asked, looking up at me with a heated gaze.
“Well, in some ways, pleasing you is all that matters.”
“Really?” she asked, sliding off my lap and moving to sit on my desk instead. “Like what?”
I had to think her legs were spread intentionally.
An invitation.
I slid forward, running my hands up the outside of her thighs.
“I could tell you, or I can show you.”
“I learn better through experience.”
Yeah, she did.
She’d picked up so much about life outside of her lake already. She was smart and motivated, had just been lacking more traditional sources of education and the experiences to round out her understanding of the world.
I imagined within the year, she would be reading everything she could get her hands on, would know more about my Court’s history than I ever had. Would be spouting off ancient fae philosophy about war and leadership.
I wanted to be there.
Which was why I was working on a scheme with Vishen and Nira that I was keeping from her. One that I hoped would make her want to stay with me.
Though she showed no signs of wanting to leave. In fact, it was the opposite. There was a bushel of flowers in the room. She had a notebook that she sat with, diligently trying to write her letters. She kept talking about things she thought might look nice in the room or changes she thought would benefit the palace as a whole.
She seemed ready to stay.
And I was ready to show her some of the ways I would make it worth her while.
I grabbed her hips, scooted her closer to the edge, then lowered down to press my kiss to the inside of her knee.
I worked my way up, loving the way her breath caught and her thighs shook.
She spread wider for me, inviting me in as her hands sank into my hair, pulling me closer.