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)
I open my mouth to lie, to pretend I’m powerful and hint that they should fear me, but then I meet his gaze and know I can’t. I can’t lie to Kendrick. Not after everything we went through. “Well, they’re wrong.” I shrug, then because I can’t help myself, the corner of my mouth twitches into a smile. “About the magical abilities at least.”
This earns me a full grin, complete with both dimples. That grin could get me into trouble. “You’ve changed more than physically, Slayer. Gotten a little fierce in the last few years.” He nods. “I like it.”
“As you’ve pointed out, when you’re princess, there’s always someone hunting you. I’ve had to learn to protect myself.” Even though I failed today. I push that thought away and return to the topic at hand. “As admirable as I think it is, I don’t know what you think I can do about the inequities in Elora. It’s been a problem for longer than I’ve been alive and will continue to be long after I’ve died.”
His gaze dips to my mouth. “Since you’re soon to be immortal, let’s hope that’s not the case.”
I dodge his piercing gaze and study what remains of my cider. “Do you have a plan? To help the less fortunate in Elora?” So many in my home realm get roped into impossible contracts that result in a lifetime of servitude. After our mother left, Brie and I were among them. We were only freed from ours because our aunt sold me to Mordeus, and that would never have happened if my sister’s fate hadn’t been tangled up with the future of the Unseelie Court. It’s hard to imagine the human realm being kinder to unfortunate souls like my sister and me, though I admit I love the sound of it.
“I do,” Kendrick says, his gaze distant. “I went home and to visit the oracle. Now I have hope, even if we never find the sword.”
I straighten. “I didn’t think anyone but the Magical Seven of Elora were allowed to access the Oracle of Light.” The Magical Seven are benevolent leaders of my home realm. Centuries ago, when the fae stole humans from Elora to fight in their wars, the Magical Seven came together to protect us. They closed the portals and forbade the fae from taking humans without their consent.
“That’s what they want you to think, but only the oracle can choose who she’ll speak with.” He shrugs. “The oracle showed me someone who could tip the scales in this revolution.”
My stomach knots. “Who?”
“The vision she showed me, Jasalyn, shadow princess, child of Mab, was of you.”
Someone pounds on the door. “Hale?” Remme shouts. “You dumb bastard, are you still alive?”
“I’m fine,” he calls. “Stay outside, or I swear you’re doing Skylar’s wash for a week.”
I hear female laughter and unhappy muttering that I can’t make out.
“There has to be some mistake,” I whisper. I hate being stuck in Faerie, but I have no part to play in a revolution. How could I?
“Do you have an identical twin?” He stands and makes a move, as if he’s ready to head out the door. “Because I’ll go grab her now. Tell me where to find her. Time is of the essence.”
I roll my eyes. “Shut up. I just don’t understand. Why me? I don’t want to be part of this fight. In nine months, I will be as unwelcome in the human realm as my sister is now. Why would the oracle name me as the key to fixing it?” His words click in my mind, and I frown up at him. “You said I’m the hope if you never find the sword. Who is it you need me to kill, Kendrick?”
He holds my gaze. “His name is Erith.”
“He’s from Elora?”
“Yes. And I’ll tell you all you need to know about him, but first I need you to agree to work with us. We’ll keep looking for the sword because it can open a portal directly to Erith, wherever he may be, but even if we don’t find it, we still have a chance if we have you. Help us. This is for the good of your homeland, Jas. It’s your destiny.”
I nod to the door. “And yet your friends don’t trust me.”
“Whether you’re officially fae now or months from now, Unseelie blood flows through your veins. We don’t yet know or understand your loyalties.” He sinks back to the edge of the bed. “But I believe in my heart that you want to protect those weaker than you. You’re not just some Faerie princess to me. You’re my friend. You’re my Slayer, and when the oracle showed me your face, I believed there was finally hope again.”
“You abducted me for a lot of maybes. And if you ask me, all those maybes sound unlikely. I don’t know where this sword is or how to get to your Erith without it.” I shake my head. “And I can’t just disappear from the palace. My sister will come for me. She’s probably already looking for me.”