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)
Blushing, I meet his gaze. “You didn’t tell me you had to go away today.”
Tynan clears his throat and steps back. “If you’ll excuse me, my king, I need to check on something in the stables.”
Misha nods at Tynan before turning his attention back to me. “I was called out at the last minute. I didn’t realize you would be looking for me.”
“Misha!” a young girl calls, rushing past me and into his arms. She looks to be eight or nine years old and has the same dark hair as Misha, though hers falls in long waves down to the middle of her back.
He picks her up under her arms and spins her around, making her laugh. “I can’t believe you know who I am,” he says. “It’s been so long, I thought you would forget me.”
“Never!” she says, laughing.
He turns her toward me and smiles. “Lark, do you remember Princess Jasalyn from Abriella’s court?”
“Hi, Lark.” I force my hands to relax at my sides. “It’s good to see you again.”
Misha returns her to the ground, and she purses her lips and cocks her head to the side as if she’s trying to figure me out. “Soon you will take your true form.”
My heart trips, and I glance to Misha.
He meets my gaze with a haughty arch of a brow. “Less than nine months now. Sooner than ever.”
Oh. I clear my throat. “My . . . You mean on my birthday?” I ask the little girl.
“Lark is a seer,” Misha says, and I am a ball of panic, desperately searching for something to say that can keep her from talking, but all words evade me.
Lark frowns. “No. Not in nine months. Much sooner.” She reaches for my hand, and it’s all I can do to keep myself from snatching it back. Her silver eyes go unfocused and a little distant. “Why are you so afraid? You know this isn’t who you really are. Why don’t you want—”
“That’s enough.” Misha pulls her hand off mine. “I’m sorry.”
She frowns up at her uncle. “You’ll break her heart,” she whispers. “Be gentle. She’s scared, and she wouldn’t do this if she had a choice.”
Misha drops to his haunches and gives an indulgent smile to his niece. “I know she’s scared. That’s why I think you should be gentle about the way you’re delivering your information. Remember how we talked about this?” He looks up at me. “Lark’s gifts are complicated. She often sees things that don’t make sense.”
She narrows her eyes at her uncle. “Mother says my gifts are among the most valuable in the entire realm.” She turns back to me. “You already know your destiny. Don’t fight it. You cannot keep everyone you love safe without sacrificing everything they deem sacred.”
My eyes burn and I squeeze them shut. Is that what I’ve done by refusing to murder Erith the way the oracle showed me I would? Have I been trying to keep Hale safe at the cost of what he holds dear?
Misha clears his throat. “That’s enough out of you,” he says, but his tone is gentle. “Now, go find your mother and tell her I’ll join you in a few minutes. We have a surprise planned for you in town tonight.”
She grins. “Okay!” Her dress shoes click against the stone floors as she disappears down the hall.
As he watches her go, I catch sight of something red in his hair.
I step closer and pull it out. “What’s this?” It’s fluffy, almost like the head of a white dandelion, but it’s a vibrant red and not nearly as delicate as it appears. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Misha drags a hand through his hair, ruffling it. “The hiluca tree likes to leave its autumn blossoms on anyone who passes.”
“Hiluca tree? I’ve never heard of such a thing.” I let the blossom roll in my palm. It’s almost sticky.
“That’s because it’s unique to my territory. There are no hilucas in the other courts, which is why my ancestors declared it our land’s sacred tree.”
“Why have I never seen one?”
“They only grow in the northern mountains, where the wild horses roam.” His smile is tender. “I should take you to see them before winter comes. They are breathtaking this time of year. Especially at sunset.”
“I would love that.”
He takes the blossom from my hand and tucks it behind my ear. “It suits you,” he says, stepping back, as if he can’t trust himself to stand so close. “I’ve promised to spend the evening in the village with my sister and niece, but if you need anything or were looking for company at dinner, I’m sure Tynan can help you.”
I bow my head to hide any hurt I feel at not being invited.
With two fingers beneath my chin, Misha tilts my face up until I meet his eyes. “Unless you want to come with us?”