Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 100363 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100363 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“Cassan,” I begin gently, laying a hand on his shoulder. My wings are heavy against my back, so I adjust my position, leaning slightly forward. He looks up at me, narrows his eyes.
“Oh. You’re...” He reaches up and touches the two sensitive antennae at my hairline. “You’re a faery now. When did this happen? Luthian, did you see this? Cenere is a faery.”
“I did see it, Y—” He stops himself before using the title. “We have much to discuss. Most of it about your mate. But it isn’t a conversation that can be had in bed.”
“Unfortunately, I have a coronation to attend.” Cassan pushes himself up and offers me his hand. “And your dress will need altering, I think. Your wings are huge. I mean that in the most complimentary way.”
They buzz happily at the mention of them, and I force them to still.
“Cassan, we have to talk about all of this before the coronation,” I say gently. “It’s not something that can wait. After you hear it, you might not want me to be your queen.”
“If you say the coronation can wait, then it can wait,” he says. “But can we speak somewhere less reflective? This room makes me dizzy.”
He snaps his fingers and the three of us sit, fully dressed, at a small, round table in the pink salon.
“The last time I was in here,” he tells Luthian happily, “I was tied down and being edged mercilessly by some of the most talented faeries at court. Cenere can attest to that, can’t you?”
“Indeed, they were very talented,” I agree as Cassan conjures a tea pot and cups. “There’s something I must confess—”
“No. I must confess it. Cenere is innocent in this. I will face the consequences, but you must swear that Cenere will bear no recrimination,” Luthian says.
“I could never hold anything against Cenere. She’s my favorite,” the prince says happily.
Though I fear I won’t be when he’s heard the truth, Cassan is shockingly accepting of everything Luthian tells him. Queen Parphia’s infidelity, her secret child, Luthian’s part in all of it. The assassination of Arcus, the framing of Kathras, my involvement in everything, including the manner of his death. The entire time he listens, Cassan sips tea and conjures cookies, offering them silently to us while the tale unfolds.
“Cenere used her last wish to break the spell and return to faery form, and... that’s all.” Luthian bows his head. “I await your judgment.”
Cassan looks to me, then back to Luthian. “What judgment?”
“I killed your father,” I say, pressing a hand to my chest in a bid to calm my heart. “I killed the king.”
“I killed the king,” Luthian argues. “You were merely the weapon. She has no responsibility here—”
“I don’t care who killed him.” Cassan’s expression is half-confused, half-relieved. “I’m just happy that he’s dead. I’m a bit disappointed that it wasn’t Kathras; thinking he killed father made me like him so much more. But what am I supposed to do? Punish you for getting rid of my terrible father and handing me the throne?”
“You’re not angry with me?” I can only dare to whisper.
“No. I’m not angry at either of you. Luthian, you’re one of my oldest friends. You only just returned to court, and you ran off again. I’m just happy that you’ve returned.” Cassan sighs happily and takes a bite out of a cookie, chewing as he says, “Now, everything is just right.”
“But I love Luthian,” I remind him. That part hadn’t been left out of the story. “I’m in love with him, and not with you.”
Cassan shrugs. “Of course, you love him. Who doesn’t? To tell you the truth, I’ve been in love with him at times, myself. Be in love with him. What does it matter to me?”
“You wanted me to be your queen,” I protest.
“You can still be my queen.” Cassan laughs, as if Luthian and I are histrionically exaggerating the situation. “Clearly, someone can be the queen of this court and be in love with Luthian. It’s what got Parphia killed.”
The breath Luthian takes draws him up straighter.
Cassan takes a sip of his tea, oblivious. “You’ll be my queen, Cenere. I’ve chosen you for it. But I won’t stand between you and true love. I’m not a monster.”
A laugh of disbelief bursts from me.
“You’ll stay at court,” Cassan orders, pointing playfully at Luthian. “I won’t have my queen’s heart filled with sorrow, pining for you. And you’ll make her happy, or there will be consequences.”
“What about Kathras?” I ask.
“He’s the heir to the throne I’m about to take so...” Cassan makes a ticking noise with his cheek. “I know I’m supposed to kill him, but I’m so bored with mourning black. We’re immortal. We’re not meant to think of death so much and for such extended periods.”
“Can he return?” I dread the answer, for while Cassan has said he won’t deny me Luthian, he’s correct in thinking that Kathras’s life is a threat to his rule. “To be with me? I love him, as I love Luthian.”