Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 145704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
“I was making progress with him before this.” Even with sneaking out of camp.
“Yes, I noticed how much progress you two were making with each other last night,” he murmurs wryly.
“You mean when he was trying to use me as a human shield to hide from Isembert? It was like a rhinoceros standing behind a lamppost.”
“I do not know what this rhinoceros is, but that is not what I saw. I would have believed you two planned to leave together, up to one of the inn’s rooms.”
I roll my eyes. “So we can play a game of who can bury their dagger deepest into the other? Please, that was all a cover. He likes sweet and innocent mortals, something I am not.” I lost anything that resembled innocence years ago.
“Good, because I would have to kill him otherwise.”
I laugh, even as I revel in what he’s revealing. “Is the king of Islor jealous?”
“Do not be absurd.” But his lazy smirk says he knows he is.
“Should we talk about what I saw? How was that beer in your lap, by the way?”
“Effective.” He chuckles. “A nice touch. I am glad you are using your skills for mature and laudable purposes.”
I give his chest a playful pinch. “I think I made up for it later.”
“I would have to agree.” His smile falls with a hard swallow. “I fear that what we are seeing here is only a taste of what is ahead for Islor. If that is the case, I will need you beside me and ready to fight, every step of the way.”
I smooth a hand over his heart, my palm absorbing the warmth. “You already have me by your side. You know that. And if Gesine is right, maybe we can end this curse together, before there’s too much more fighting.” Maybe I can still unravel everything Princess Romeria has done to Zander, his family, and his people. Or at least mend it.
I press my lips against his, stealing a tender kiss that he matches. But when I pull away, his brow is tight. “What’s wrong?”
He hesitates. “I am not certain that I want her to be right.”
“Why not?” Realization slips along my spine like a cold trickle of water. “What aren’t you telling me?”
His eyes meet mine and I see an apology there. “Gesine thinks the only way to end this blood curse may be to open the nymphaeum door.”
35
Romeria
I listen with a mixture of shock, hurt, and anger as Zander explains all that Gesine divulged to him in Gully’s Pass, all that they both have been keeping from me—about the nymphaeum’s original purpose, this secret book found in Shadowhelm that confirmed Malachi had succeeded in ruling these lands once before.
“But we can’t open that door.” My brain combs through everything I know of the risk. “That would mean opening the Nulling and releasing an army of whatever terrible creatures are waiting in there. Nobody wants that.” It’s why they’ve been executing key casters for the past two thousand years.
Nobody … except Malachi and Sofie.
“I certainly do not want that. And there are too many unknowns and no guarantees to consider it an option. The nymphs may not wish to help us. Or they might, but at a terrible cost. You might not even survive opening the door, and I could not bear losing you like that. Perhaps that makes me an unfit king. So be it, but the risk is too great.” He strokes my cheek with the soft pad of his thumb, his eyes shining with sincerity. “When she first told me, I did not know what to do with that information, how to process it. But you needed to focus on learning as much as possible about what you are, so we can take back the throne. That is why I did not tell you.”
I don’t miss the “we” in that statement.
“What about this Stonekeep place? Do you think there’s any truth to what Gesine said about that?” If there is, it sounds like the nymphs would help Islor.
Zander chuckles, but it lacks mirth. “I have stood before it more than once, and I have no faith that there is aid for us there. It is an engraving on a mountain wall that has existed for thousands of years, surrounded by deadlands. Nothing more. We cannot rely on prophecy to help us. And do not mention any of this to the others. They will fear it, and they will think I am entertaining Mordain’s guidance.”
I sigh. Still keeping secrets. “But what if opening this door is the only way?” What if we need the nymphs’ help?
“No. We will find another way to stop this poison from destroying all that Islor is.” His jaw sets with determination.
But mine sets with worry.
Zander offers me a tentative smile over his shoulder as he leads me down the narrow stairs of the inn.