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 hate when I dream of Mordeus, but these dreams—when I am him, when I’m the one doling out the torture instead of the one receiving it—these are worse. I liked it.
I sometimes think it’s a coping mechanism—that my mind is processing my trauma from another angle to make sense of it. But when I spoke with a healer at the Midnight Palace about the dreams, hoping she could make them stop, she suggested that these dreams were an early manifestation of my unique magic. I didn’t ask again after that.
“Sorry to break it to you, Princess, but if you’re waiting for me to serve you breakfast, you’re going to be sorely disappointed,” Skylar says.
A lantern flickers beside her, and my glowstone illuminates the space around my bed. I squint toward the tiny window at the end of my bed. “It’s still dark outside.”
She doesn’t look away from her pack. “You’re observant.”
“Kendrick said we were leaving at first light.”
“If we’re going to leave at first light, we need to be ready before first light.” She tosses a pile of clothes onto the bed. “For you.”
I rub a hand over my face, trying to wake myself up. It feels like I just closed my eyes. I climbed into bed right after leaving Kendrick in the hall. That should’ve been enough sleep, but my eyes are fighting to stay closed. The only reason I can find the strength to stay awake is because I fear returning to that dream.
While Skylar has her back turned, I strip out of my sleep clothes and spot a new scar on my hip. It’s thin and curved and plunges me into memories of silver eyes locked on mine, a blade piercing my skin. Look at me, and I will take away the pain.
I relish the sight of the scar, cling to the reminder that I was the victim, not the one inflicting the torture.
But you enjoy killing his followers. You relish the moment life leaves their eyes.
Bile surges in my throat, and I shove away the unwelcome train of thought as I pull on today’s outfit. It’s a near identical match to Skylar’s long-sleeved crop top, but mine is golden to her black.
“Did you sneak out to see Kendrick last night?” she asks.
I freeze while folding my sleep clothes then clear my throat. “N-no. Why? Did he say something this morning?” Does he remember? I can’t decide if I hope he does or doesn’t. I need my ring to work, and if Kendrick is immune to its powers, who’s to say others might not be? But maybe part of me doesn’t want to carry the secret alone anymore.
“He didn’t say a word,” Skylar says. She turns to face me and shakes her head. “I don’t know. I just feel like I was alone most of the night. It’s an instinct.”
“Nope. Slept right up here. You can ask Natan.”
She furrows her brow, frowning as if she knows I dodged her question.
I’m climbing out of bed when a soft knock comes at the door. Skylar cracks it open, and I know by her smile that Kendrick is waiting on the other side.
“Your princess wanted to sleep all day,” she says.
I’d argue for the sake of my pride, but my yawn undercuts my retort before I can make it. I lean against the bedpost, letting it support my weight. Even my head feels too heavy this morning, and I just want to close my eyes for a few more minutes.
“Rough night?”
I force my eyes open and am treated to Kendrick’s smiling face. He’s so handsome with those clear blue eyes. And his smile makes warmth—
I straighten and clear my throat. “Just not feeling myself this morning.” Instead, I’m feeling like a wicked king. I’m feeling like the male I’m determined to kill.
“She’s used to the pampered life,” Skylar says.
I don’t bother arguing. Maybe she’s right. Maybe I’ve gone soft in the last few years.
Kendrick is studying me, though, and there’s nothing in his expression to indicate he agrees with her. I’m not sure I deserve the respect I see in his eyes. “Yesterday was a lot—physically and otherwise. You’re okay?”
“I’ll be fine. Just a slow start this morning.” I bite back another yawn. “Any chance there’s coffee?”
“There’s no one working the kitchen downstairs this morning for some reason,” he says. “We’ll stop somewhere in a couple of hours.”
Skylar grumbles something about the cruelty of waking before the sun and being deprived of coffee, and I can’t disagree.
While Skylar heads into the hall to talk with Remme and Natan, I motion for Kendrick to stay back.
“Everything okay?” he asks.
I swallow. “About last night . . .”
He shakes his head. “Don’t worry about it. I know seeing Mordeus’s supporters is going to upset you, and I wasn’t about to make you finish your dinner when you were uncomfortable. I just hope you’re not too hungry this morning.”