Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115347 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115347 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
“Recall my earlier words—her treatment isn’t up for discussion.” But...what was he going to do with the girl? He knew he should avoid her until morning, when the surdi root tea fully left his system. But he had questions and she had answers. Stay away? He couldn’t.
“Micah,” Norok said, materializing nearby and jogging over.
“That was fast.” They’d only been apart a few minutes.
The warrior nudged his sister aside and said, “A citizen spotted Fayette. She’s heading east.”
East. Toward the palace—toward Kaysar. Micah flicked his tongue over an incisor as multiple muscles turned to stone. Fayette was the spy, and she did expect him to lose.
“One more thing.” Norok pulled at his collar, meeting his gaze for a moment before looking away. “She isn’t alone. With her are four of your elite and a female. They were seen speaking with a stranger before the meeting. I’m sorry to tell you this, but the female was...is...Diane.”
Diane, his current mistress? She’d betrayed him to an enemy?
Fury and humiliation seared him. He had paid the female well. Had never abused or harmed her in any way. Had provided for her every need. Yet she’d thought so little of him, she’d helped arrange his defeat? “Go. Find them and bring them to me. Alive.”
“This shall be done. You have my vow.” Norok dashed off without another word.
“Go,” Micah commanded Elena as well. “Enjoy your night. Tomorrow I have a special assignment for you.” He might not employ an oracle anymore, but he did have his self-proclaimed mole. Not even Kaysar or Cookie wielded enough power to sense Elena when she activated her glamara—a fact she’d already proved.
He would send her to the palace. She would learn their plans and hear the suggestions of their oracle, Amber, keeping Micah informed.
Though Elena looked as if she had a thousand other things to say, she nodded and branched away from him. He quickened his gait, soon coming to his tent. As promised, guards circled the entire structure.
The wall of men parted, allowing him to stride inside without a hitch in his step. He braced, unsure of what he’d find...
Red sat at his desk. Spotting him, she bolted to her feet. His frown returned, but quickly morphed into a scowl. Dirt streaked her from head to toe, both old and new. She hadn’t bathed.
He stared at her as he removed and tossed the cloak, waiting for a blurted explanation, expecting her to avert her gaze any moment. Again, she held his gaze, shocking him—forcing him to look away.
Micah focused on his anger. Did she have any idea how many of his men had risked their lives to siphon water from palace lands? How generous her new king had been, to offer her his own daily portion?
His hands curled into fists. Unlike his foes, he didn’t ally with Jareth Frostline, ruler of the Winterlands, whose glamara created ice, which in turn created great lakes. As a wedding present to the Unhinged One and his new bride, King Jareth had gifted them with massive blocks of ice, which had already melted into great bodies of water.
My water. In thirty-five days.
He stalked to the long table, where he’d instructed servants to arrange a meal for two. Only crumbs remained. Vee had eaten everything? How hungry she must have been, to consume his portion.
His gaze returned to her. Healthy color bloomed in her cheeks. Those jade irises were brighter than before. In the endless span of his life, he’d gone to bed hungry on multiple occasions. For the first time, he experienced satisfaction, too.
I provided for her needs. Me.
“What?” she demanded.
“I’m curious. What did you do during my absence?” Would she give a truthful answer?
She jutted her chin, telling him, “You’ll have to beat the answer out of me.”
Back to the beatings? Fear? He heaved a sigh. At least she hadn’t offered a lie. “In other words, you escaped and returned.”
She bristled. “You had me followed. Well. Try to interrogate me about my decisions. I dare you.”
Micah scoured a hand over his face as fatigue infiltrated his limbs. A bone-deep weariness that seeped from his innermost being. Perhaps their next argument could wait?
As he strode to the tub, he began to lift his shirt, only to remember his scars and release the hem. Allow this perfect creature to behold the scars her army of tree guards had wrought? No.
There’d be no bathing for him tonight, either. But waste the water? Again, no.
Micah flittered inches from her, earning another gasp. He swept her into his arms, flittered again and dropped her into the tub. Cold water splashed over her and soaked his boots.
She leaped to a stand, sputtering and hurling insults at him. When she realized the fabric of her gown had become transparent, revealing generous curves that slackened his jaw, she plummeted of her own accord, drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs.