Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
“That is for my brother to inform,” he said, stumbling beside me when he turned to look at me, nearly falling.
I reached out instinctively and grabbed his arm, steadying him.
“My gratitude, my consort,” he said, holding on to my hand, and only then did I realize he was wearing gloves.
“May I ask where you got your leather armor?”
“These were all brought from other places back when there was still trade.”
“Gotcha,” I said, keeping easy pace with him.
Cirillo had let go of me when I reached for Balon, and if his face was any indication, he was horrified that the man was holding my arm.
At the end of a long hallway covered in portraits and ancient weapons mounted on the walls, we stepped through a doorway, and here, finally, was the cavernous throne room. Lots of people were milling around, and when they turned to look at me, Balon, and Cirillo, I saw that all of them looked similar to Balon.
Some of them seemed to be rotting, while in others there was a marked loss of hair accompanied by shriveled skin. Some, mostly men, were without noses, only the bone underneath visible, while on several women, the skin on their faces clung tight to their skulls.
I had the urge to pull my hand back and try to find some lye to wash it with, but I refrained and walked at his side as people moved aside for us.
Close to the throne, I saw Carice, and instead of her looking smug or pleased or anything that I was expecting, she smiled, or tried to, with her bottom lip trembling. Reaching sideways, her hand was grabbed by a stunning woman with curly mahogany colored hair that fell to her shoulders, large liquid brown eyes, and full lips. Her skin was a beautiful golden bronze.
I noted that Carice looked to the dais and the man there, his face in much the same condition as his brother’s, though perhaps a bit worse from what I could see of him. When he gave a nod, both women rushed over to me and bowed low.
“You don’t bow to me,” I groused at Carice. “And when Varic finds out what you did—”
“Yes,” she agreed fast, and I saw her tremble before she straightened up and grabbed my hand tight. “I deserve every punishment, and I am so deeply sorry for my part in this, my consort. When we get home, I will happily have you remove me to wherever you see fit, only please, please…do not leave me here.”
The shudder that went through her had to be real. She was absolutely terrified.
“I don’t like you,” I stated. “And you know that.”
She nodded quickly.
“Varic may have you executed for your part in this.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Better to stay here and live.”
Those huge sea-blue eyes of hers lifted to my face. “Please let me die in Valletta.”
“What were you promised?”
She stepped closer. “Ødger calls for a cadoc with Varic for you, and if he wins, he promised a seat for Chryos.”
It wasn’t a real answer, there were no real details and she hadn’t explained herself, but I let it go and focused on the first part. “I have no idea what that is.”
“I’ll tell you,” Cirillo said beside me, reaching for Carice. “Come here before you shake yourself to death.”
She mewled, voice gone, and rushed into his arms, wrapping herself tight around him. They made a beautiful pair.
I turned then to the woman with the mischievous light in her eyes and the arched eyebrow. “You are not what I expected, lady.”
Her laugh was not soft or demure but loud and husky. I liked the sound.
“You are the siren Keres, are you not?”
She nodded, and I saw it then, the flicker of concern in her eyes. She wasn’t scared, it wasn’t that, but she was looking to me to be a safe harbor. I reached for her, and she grasped my hand, holding tight, like I was her lifeline.
“Come close,” Ødger Maedoc bid me then.
Bringing Keres with me, arm in arm, I approached Ødger’s throne, which wasn’t as high as Messina’s, maybe halfway, but he was still looking down on me when I reached the stairs. My old buddy Sorin was standing beside him.
“Did you enjoy your tour of my holding, my consort?” he said patronizingly.
“I did,” I replied, smiling at him. “My companion, Lord Cirillo, and I killed some men who would have raped and possibly murdered a young woman, so we got our exercise in and everything, which was great.”
Instantly, he was glaring at me. “You mock me.”
“You started it,” I snapped. “How dare you kidnap me or Lord Cirillo. We are both citizens of the crown, and what you’ve done violates the laws of Ascalon.”
“I do not abide by the laws of Ascalon!” he roared. “We live free here beyond the reach of the king.”