Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 48827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
A mischievous smile shapes her lips. “From the sound of it, it's almost as if I have you wrapped around my finger.”
“You do,” I say.
She grips my arms a little tighter, her nails digging in. “So you're saying you'll do whatever I want?”
“I failed you once,” I say. “I have no intention of ever doing that again. Speak it, and it's yours.”
She raises her eyebrows, shock flooding her eyes. “From someone as powerful as you, that promise packs a lot of punch.”
Worry streaks through me. “Oh, no,” I say, smirking. “You're going to get me into so much trouble, aren't you?”
“Maybe,” she says. “What if I asked you to leave all of your friends here and take me somewhere?”
“I would do it.”
“And if I asked you to go on a hunt with me right now?”
“I have my weapons bag in my car.”
Her grin deepens at that.
She slides her hands up my arms again, resting them on the back of my neck, her fingers toying with my hair there. “And if I asked you to stay here and dance with me until the sun comes up?”
“I'm at your disposal,” I say, moving us around on the dance floor. She goes quiet for a few moments. “Which will it be, Talia?”
She leans closer to me, embracing me in a way that feels so much more than a dance as she rests her cheek against my chest. “It doesn’t matter what we do,” she whispers so softly I almost don’t hear it. “As long as you stay with me.”
CHAPTER 12
Talia
“Your majesty,” I say by way of greeting as I enter the king's study, finding Alek behind his desk. “Lyric said you wanted to see me?”
“Please,” he says, nodding to the seat across from his desk. “Sit.”
I glance around the study, half expecting to find Zachariah waiting somewhere.
The memory of my first night here calls to the forefront of my mind. The way Zachariah had wended to this residence, had dragged me before the king, frantic with panic and worry. That felt like years ago rather than the month it’s been.
So much has changed since then. So many things I promised I wouldn't allow myself to do when I first laid eyes on him.
“I wanted to check in with you,” Alek says, thankfully pulling me out of my thoughts. He leans back in his chair, relaxed in a way that tells me this isn't him about to pitch me another mission. “Are you enjoying your stay in my residence?”
“I am,” I answer honestly. “I adore your mate,” I continue. “As well as the others here. But if I've overstayed my welcome, just say the word and I'll be on my way.”
Alek furrows his brow and shakes his head. “Quite the contrary,” he says. “I was hoping we could discuss the matter of your seat that has remained open for the last century in my royal court.”
Apprehension immediately tightens my chest.
“That seat has remained empty since your last living relative passed.”
“Aunt Charlotte,” I say, nodding. “She lived a very long and happy life. When her time came, she was more than ready to go.”
“Quite,” he says. “I don’t know the full reason behind you spreading the rumor that you’d passed as well, but did you do that because you didn't want to step in and take that seat?”
I glance down at my huntress attire. “I figured that much was obvious,” I say, and he arches a brow me. “I left that life a long time ago,” I relent.
“I’ve heard some of the stories,” he says. “After your parents passed, you burned down your family’s estate in London?”
I chuckle softly, then shrug. “My parents and I never really saw eye to eye about my future and my role in this world. I’d never go out of my way to cause them harm, but there was too much negative energy in that place. I thought burning it to the ground and donating the land and a new construction build was a much better use of that part of my inheritance.”
“I understand that,” he says. “Families can be complicated. Especially when they span the lengths of time that ours do. But you've seen my family. You've been welcomed into it with open arms. And you’re clearly not dead, like you had so many believe.”
“I knew I’d never live that rumor down,” I say, sighing. “After Zachariah went into stasis and I joined the huntresses…I grew tired of everyone looking at me like a wounded creature. I killed the Talia Ashcroft who’d made plans for a future as a noble mate, so it was partially true.”
“And now?” he asks. “Has time soothed that sting?”
“Partially.”
“Would you reconsider taking your seat in my court? We could certainly use someone with your unfiltered and unbiased opinion. Someone who hasn’t lived their life for the courts despite being born into them. It would give me a fresh perspective.”