Total pages in book: 241
Estimated words: 229266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1146(@200wpm)___ 917(@250wpm)___ 764(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 229266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1146(@200wpm)___ 917(@250wpm)___ 764(@300wpm)
“As soon as I have an hour to make some, I will.”
“You have had plenty of hours to do so already.” Facing me, she extended a hand. Her nails were painted a yellow as brilliant as her tunic.
“I’m Penellaphe,” I said, taking her hand. The moment our skin touched, her eyes widened. “Did you just feel something weird?”
“Yeah. Like a static charge,” she answered as Casteel moved in closer. She let go of my hand. “That’s strange.”
“Coulton felt the same thing,” Casteel said.
“And I felt something like that back in New Haven,” Kieran reminded me.
“That’s right.” I clasped my hands together. “I'd forgotten.”
“Well, I'm kind of offended now,” he muttered.
“Do you feel anything like that?” I asked Casteel, recalling a similar feeling a few times we’d touched.
“I have,” he said, head tilted as he examined me closely, like I was a strange new species. “I thought it was my imagination.”
“I’ve felt it when I’ve touched you.” I turned back to the siblings. “But I didn’t feel anything now or when Coulton or Kieran felt something earlier.”
“Apparently, we’re not as special as Casteel,” Vonetta commented.
“You should’ve already known that,” he replied.
She shot him a look. “You saying something like that was probably why I knocked you on your ass the last time.”
I laughed. “I like her.”
“Of course, you do.” Casteel sighed as he placed his hand on my back. But when I looked up at him, he had that look to him again. Like he’d lost his breath. Swallowing, he looked over at Kieran’s sister. “Are you going to invite us in?”
“Are you going to be less annoying?”
“Probably not, but since I’m your Prince….”
“Whatever. Fine.” Then she smiled. “Come in. I just finished making sandwiches.”
The living area was a round, cozy area full of color. Thick sky-blue floor cushions circled a low-to-the-ground white table. Bright orange and deep purple throw pillows covered a black settee. The breeze let in by the open windows and terrace doors lazily turned the blades of a ceiling fan. A stack of books on an end table by the settee snagged my attention as Casteel tugged me down onto one of the cushions on the floor while Vonetta and Kieran disappeared through a rounded archway.
“Is lemonade fine?” Vonetta’s voice carried out from the other room. “Kieran made it, so it’s more sweet than sour.”
Casteel glanced at me, and when I nodded, he called out, “That’s perfect.”
A few moments later, Kieran returned carrying four glasses, which he placed on the table before dropping onto the cushion on the other side of Casteel.
“Thank you,” I said, picking up the cool glass. Ice cubes clinked together, and I realized there must be a cold room underground somewhere since there appeared to be no electricity running in Spessa’s End yet.
“Don’t be polite,” Kieran remarked. “It weirds me out.”
I cracked a grin at that as I took a sip. The sweet and sour mix was perfect. “This is actually really good.”
“Kieran is a master at making drinks,” Casteel shifted back on one arm, leaning slightly into my shoulder. “Especially the kind involving alcohol.”
“A man must have his talents.”
“Even if said talents are generally useless,” Vonetta commented as she entered, carrying a silver tray loaded with sandwiches cut into narrow strips and a large bowl of strawberries dusted with sugar.
“I’ll remember that the next time you ask me to make you a drink,” Kieran replied.
Vonetta snorted as she sat beside me. “I hope you like cucumber sandwiches. Other than cold cuts, it’s the only sandwich I can manage.”
“They’re one of my favorites. Thank you,” I said, picking one up. “And it’s the only sandwich I’ve ever made, actually.”
“Really?” Casteel asked, handing me one of the napkins from the tray.
I nodded. “I wasn’t allowed to cook or to learn how, but I did sneak into the kitchens sometimes and watch,” I admitted, and then felt silly the moment the words had left my mouth. I had no idea how much Vonetta even knew about my past. Heat crept up my throat as I sat back a little, distancing myself from Casteel. I quickly shoved half the sandwich into my mouth.
“Kieran told me a little bit of what it was like for you,” Vonetta said, her tone soft. “But honestly, the not being allowed to learn how to cook part sounds amazing.”
I glanced up at her in confusion as Casteel reclaimed the short distance that separated us. His arm pressed to mine as he reached for a sandwich and then remained there.
“I don’t mean the not having a choice part. That sounds terrible. That is terrible.” She took a drink of lemonade. “But if I didn’t have to learn, then I’d have an excuse for why I’m horrible at cooking. Our poor mother spent many moons attempting to teach me how to bake bread. I’d rather sharpen a sword than knead yeast. Of course, Mom excels equally at both.”