Total pages in book: 220
Estimated words: 205637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1028(@200wpm)___ 823(@250wpm)___ 685(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 205637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1028(@200wpm)___ 823(@250wpm)___ 685(@300wpm)
I gritted my teeth, knowing she was right but feeling like dead weight anyway.
We followed the crowd, the demons racing from our people, only to crash up against the faeries. More and more of them broke through, though, running madly. Wolves went after them, faster on four legs than anyone’s two.
“Finley, you’re okay,” Hadriel said, breathing hard as he pushed his way to our side. “Fucking demons. Don’t they take a break? First the poison, now this?”
Nyfain slowed as the last of the demons broke and ran for the stairs, quickly followed by the wolves. He turned back for me, quickly checking me over.
“Calia,” I said as I caught up to him.
“Let’s go check it out. Stay with me,” he said, grabbing my arm. “Be careful.”
I held out my free hand. “I haven’t joined the fight, have I?”
His lips twisted into a smile at my irritation. He nodded and hurried us the rest of the way down the hall, pausing at the wide stairway to make sure the danger had moved off.
“What do you make of this, Govam?” Nyfain said as we made our way down.
Govam told him what he’d told me earlier.
“He will try again,” he finished. “If he is putting this much effort into killing you, he’ll keep trying.”
“How?”
“I can’t say for certain. My guess would be more of the same—sneaking. Using the succubi to slip in, or some of his stealthier spies.”
“I’m surprised he’s being so open about trespassing on King Starvos’s territory,” I said as we hurried across a large foyer.
“It seems King Starvos has been diligent about staying neutral,” Nyfain replied as Leala ran out of a large arched entranceway in a nightdress, whip in hand. A line of guards emerged a moment later, slowing when they saw Govam and Denski.
Nyfain held up his hand. “They’re with us. I’m monitoring them personally.”
“Oh good, you’re safe,” Leala said on a release of breath as the guards passed us, not picking up the pace quite yet.
“Where the fuck were you?” Hadriel asked.
“I was being spanked by a couple of the servants when I heard what was going on,” she replied.
“Well, you nearly missed me getting my head chopped off. Vemar had to save me, and now I’ll sound like a real asshole if I tell him not to call me little buddy.”
“I don’t get your logic, but I like the outcome,” Vemar said with a chuckle. “I had to get saved too, though. It’s all good.”
I shook my head, ignoring the others. “What do you mean, he likes to stay neutral? Surely this warrants a reaction?”
“If Dolion hadn’t already imprisoned and then tried to poison his favorite court member, he’d likely have been appeased by a grand gesture, like an apology and compensation,” Nyfain said. “He wouldn’t think about going to war. Dolion came after us, not his people. When they realized the faerie guards were getting involved, the demons tried to take off. They were likely under orders to do just that.”
“That would be my guess, though they could just as easily be cowards,” Govam said.
“Fortunately for us, Dolion did imprison Starvos’s favorite court member, and he also—indirectly—almost killed her. Hopefully that works in our favor.”
“Dolion is usually good about knowing which lines he shouldn’t cross,” Govam said as we reached another set of stairs and jogged up. Servants ran around in chaos the closer we got to Calia’s area. Nyfain sped up, wariness rolling through the bond. When we made it to Calia’s suite, though, we found a line of guards waiting in front.
“King Nyfain!”
Starvos’s voice cracked through the air.
We turned to see him striding down the hall wearing pants and an untucked shirt.
“Leala, find us clothes,” Nyfain murmured.
“Here, take mine for now, milady.” Leala shed her nightdress. “Vemar, give his highness your clothes. You’re the only one close to his size.”
Calia’s door opened and she peered out, her expression screwed up in worry.
“What is the meaning of this?” Starvos asked as he got closer. “I have reports of fighting and bloodshed in the guest wing.”
“Demons attacked us while we were sleeping,” Nyfain answered. “It looked like they meant to finish the job they’d attempted at dinner.”
“Demons? Here? Preposterous. King Dolion wouldn’t send demons here.”
“You’re welcome to go see for yourself.” Nyfain gestured back the way we’d come. “We killed plenty of them. We’ve come to make sure Calia is safe.” Vemar handed over his pants, and Nyfain stepped into them.
“Goddess comfort me, what has happened to you, man?” Starvos asked Nyfain.
“Protecting my kingdom came at a price. Every night, I fought off demon creatures intent on killing my people. And as you’ve seen…” He turned me around before I could get Leala’s nightdress on. His fingers trailed across my back. “This was done by Dolion’s minions. I’m sure you’ve also seen Calia’s back. You’ve yet to hear all the stories, but I warned you what sort they would be. Dolion wants me dead because he knows how dangerous I am to him. He knows that I can give an accurate picture of his dealings. I am living proof of his misdeeds. You’ll either need to send us on our way or get serious about protecting the castle. He’s tried to kill us twice without being successful. He’ll keep trying.”