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)
The laugh was quick, but nothing like the one before. It was real, and some of the sharpness faded from his features. “Of course, you do.”
Emil was waiting for us beyond the terrace, and as I stepped out into the courtyard, my mouth dropped open.
A hazy, burnt-orange-red glow illuminated the sky beyond the Rise.
“What in the hell?” Casteel demanded.
“The sky really is on fire,” I whispered. “Is it another omen? From the gods?”
“I sure hope not,” Emil responded. “Because if so, that can’t be good. Delano already left to see if he can find out what it is.”
Casteel nodded. “I don’t think it’s that.” He started walking around the corner of the fortress, but then stopped. Turning to me, he extended his hand.
I placed mine in his without hesitation. His grip was warm and strong, and that jolt of energy was there, traveling up my arm.
I have no idea how you can even bear my touch.
I wanted to tell him right then that I could bear his touch because I loved him.
But it didn’t seem like a good idea with the sky being on fire.
Casteel prowled forward. “How long ago did you guys realize this was happening?”
“Ten minutes, if that. Are you going up onto the Rise?” Emil asked as we crossed the courtyard, heading for one of the entry points to the Rise.
“I figure it would give us a better view.” He led me inside a stairwell lit by oil lanterns. “Did anyone go with Delano?”
Emil followed behind as we climbed the spiraling stone stairs. “I think Dante went out with him. Probably thought it would be safer.”
“Possibly,” Casteel murmured.
Reaching the top of the Rise, my steps faltered for a moment. What appeared to be the entire western sky was aglow.
“Good gods,” Emil muttered, coming to a stop.
Casteel and I walked across the roof of the Rise, the cool air chilling my skin. Several people stood in and near the parapets, their bodies outlined in red.
One of them turned. Kieran. His father was beside him, facing the glowing sky. A Guardian stood on the ledge, the moonlight glinting off the golden swords strapped to her sides. She looked over her shoulder, placing her fist over her heart.
Casteel greeted her with the same gesture as a gust of wind lifted the wispy strands of her hair that wasn’t held back. Mine also blew as I slipped my hand free of his and entered an empty peak. The wind…an acrid scent carried on it, reminding me of…
I placed my hand on the stone. “I don’t think it’s the sky that’s on fire.”
The Guardian looked over at me, saying nothing as Casteel entered the parapet. “Neither do I.”
“While I’m relieved it’s not the sky burning,” Jasper said. “Something is.”
Something big was, but what could it be? There was nothing but fields and ruined cities that way.
“How far away do you think the fire is?” the Guardian asked.
“Hard to tell.” Casteel placed his hands beside mine. “I would say about a day’s or more ride, maybe even farther depending on the size.”
“A day’s ride?” I frowned. “That would be…what? Pompay? What could burn there to create this?”
“If it’s farther out, it would have to be a massive fire to be seen from here,” Casteel said, shaking his head. “Delano is fast. In his wolven form, he’ll reach Pompay in no time. We’ll know soon enough what the cause is.”
“Until then, Your Highness?” the Guardian asked.
“Until then, we make sure there is no panic. Those who were at the dinner will have most likely seen this and are taking tales of the burning sky home. Go and make sure there is no panic, Nova.”
The Guardian nodded and then stepped off the ledge. She strode across the roof, disappearing into one of the stairwells.
“And what do we do?” Kieran asked as he stared at the unnatural sky.
“We wait,” Casteel said. “That’s all we can do for now.”
Dawn crept across Spessa’s End in splashes of violet and pink, but to the west, it looked like the sun had fallen to the land. With each passing hour, the scents of smoke and burning wood grew.
Pulling the halves of the cloak around me, I stared down at the dirt road ahead, searching for signs of Delano or Dante, but I saw nothing. I couldn’t even see the Guardians I knew were out beyond the wall, hidden in the tall grass. Endless hours had passed since we’d climbed the Rise, and though I didn’t need to remain, I wanted to be here the moment we found out what burned—and, hopefully, what’d caused it.
Leaning against the parapet wall, I glanced over my shoulder. Casteel stood several feet away, speaking to Kieran and Alastir. I sensed…concern from all three of them, and I wondered if they had the same fear that I wasn’t willing to voice.