Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 123190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
“It’s one thing to take someone’s form and quite another to convincingly become them.” Then again, I’ve pushed everyone away so aggressively, maybe Misha truly doesn’t know me.
Does anyone anymore? The true me? All that I am on the inside? Broken bits and grotesque scars and all?
“Felicity is very good at what she does,” Kendrick says. His voice is gentler now, as if he can see the heartache in my eyes. “I’ve known her for a long time. She’s agreed to take your form and go to the palace as you. She’ll stand in for you so your sister doesn’t worry and so we can search for the sword without the queen tearing her kingdom apart.”
I have to force words out past the thickness in my throat. “And you trust her? No one gets that close to the queen. She could take advantage of the situation and—”
“I trust her like family,” he says, eyes solemn. “In fact, she would like to meet you before going to the palace. She has some questions, and I think it might make you feel better as well.”
I bite my bottom lip and stare into the fire as I think. The flickering and snapping is a balm to my nerves.
I don’t like this, but I can’t go back to the palace and be sent off with Misha like a child in need of a nanny. Sure, I could spend my days there and use my ring and my goblin bracelet to return to the shadow court each night. In theory, I could deny Kendrick everything he’s asking and still search for Mordeus on my own, but my knowledge of the court is too limited. I’m running out of places to search, and I still have a list of males I’d like to introduce to the Enchanting Lady. Wouldn’t it be easier to stay with Kendrick and take advantage of their knowledge?
“What will it be, Princess?” He arches a brow. “Are you in?”
“You’re so sure you want me to kill this Erith?”
He wraps his arms around me and lifts me from where I sit, spinning me around and laughing. When he lowers me so my feet touch the floor, he’s grinning, both of his dimples showing through the rugged scruff on his cheeks. We’re still so close, barely a breath apart. He’s strong and warm, and instead of wanting to flee his touch, I lean into it. Crave more. His ice-blue eyes search my face, and it’s all I can do to keep myself from reaching up and touching him. “Gods above, woman. I could kiss you,” he says, shaking his head.
I freeze. “Don’t kiss me.” I step back, letting his hands fall to his sides. “Promise me you won’t kiss me.”
He flinches. “It’s a figure of speech. I wouldn’t—of course.” He searches my face and must see my fear there. “I promise. I just mean you’ll be the hero of Elora.”
“I can’t believe you’re really here,” I hear myself say. The wonder in my voice is beyond ridiculous, considering the circumstances. I should step away from him. I never let anyone stand this close to me. But I can’t. Because if there’s anyone I wished I could have close in the last few years, if there’s anyone who could understand how twisted I became inside during my weeks as Mordeus’s captive, it’s Kendrick.
His eyes crinkle in the corners with his smile. “Were you worried about me?”
“I never doubted you’d get out of there and make it home. I just didn’t think I’d get to see you again.”
He plucks a loose lock of my hair from my shoulder and toys with it between two fingers. “I didn’t think I’d see you again either.”
“Why not? It would’ve been much easier for you to find me than the other way around.” Once again, I’ve said too much and wish I could take the words back.
He huffs out a breath. “What reason would I have to bother the shadow princess, child of Mab?”
My blood cools at the reminder, and I step back. He drops his hand and something flickers in his eyes I can’t quite identify. Disappointment? “I can’t help who my ancestors were or that my sister took that crown,” I say. “No one asked me if I wanted the title of princess.”
He shakes his head slowly. “We don’t get to choose the burdens we bear, only how we bear them.”
The cottage door creaks open, and Remme sticks his head in. “Should we prepare the horses while we’re out here?” he asks.
“Not just yet.” Kendrick waves them in. “Jasalyn’s agreed to work with us.”
Remme raises a brow. “Really? Just like that?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask.
“It means he doesn’t trust that some spoiled Faerie princess is going to go out of her way to help Eloran rebels,” Skylar says.