Total pages in book: 295
Estimated words: 282090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1410(@200wpm)___ 1128(@250wpm)___ 940(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 282090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1410(@200wpm)___ 1128(@250wpm)___ 940(@300wpm)
I lower the portion of my shields that allows Xaden in, then send every ounce of my love down the bond. “I’m all right.”
He tears his gaze from Tecarus, the barely caged fury in his eyes making him nearly unrecognizable.
“Loosen your grip on his throat,” I say calmly. “He can’t answer questions if he’s dead.”
Two lines appear between Xaden’s dark brows, and his grip eases. Moving to his side, I make sure that my shoulder brushes his arm, that he can feel me physically as well as mentally. “You’re lucky you’re not dead,” I say up at Tecarus’s blotchy face. “If you’d put Xaden in that kind of danger, I’m not sure I would have been as merciful.”
“You call this mercy?” Tecarus asks through gasped breaths, still kicking for the ground.
“Yes,” Xaden says softly.
“You quarried the stones from east of the Dunness River, the land that borders the Barrens. It had already been drained of its magic.”
“Yes!” Tecarus shouts.
Xaden swears under his breath.
“You built a pit for them, which means you’ve captured more than just that one.” Puffs of steam rise from my skin, but at least I don’t feel like I’m burning alive.
“I’ll tell you everything we know,” Tecarus assures us. “Just let me down.”
“And we’re supposed to trust you?” Brennan asks from my other side.
“We were able to keep that one from feeding for days—”
“Because the runes on the Rybstad chest hold items placed inside suspended in midair,” Xaden interrupts. “He couldn’t reach the ground to drain it until you opened the chest. I don’t need you to tell me things I already know.” He drops his hand, and the shadows evaporate.
Tecarus slams into the marble patio, grasping for his throat.
Xaden crouches down. “If you ever want to have words about why I severed that alliance, then you come for me. Violet is beyond your reach. If you so much as look her direction with anything but the utmost kindness and respect, I’ll kill you without a second thought and let Syrena take her place as your heir. Do you understand me?” His voice has that icy softness that sends chills up my spine.
Tecarus nods.
“Apologize.”
“I’m fine.” He’s taking this too far. This man is second in line to the Poromish throne.
“You do not take punishments designed for me.”
“You have my most sincere apology, Violet Sorrengail,” Tecarus croaks through abused vocal cords. “Now where does this leave us, Riorson?”
Xaden stands. “Now we negotiate.”
An hour later, we’re fed and changed into dry flight leathers, the four of us sitting across the cleared dining room table from Tecarus, Cat, Syrena, half a dozen aristocrats, and one general immediately to Tecarus’s left.
Every person in the room is unarmed with the exception of Xaden and me, but our signets make it so we’re never defenseless.
“May I present my offer first?” Tecarus asks, tugging his collar away from the red welts across his throat.
“You may,” Brennan answers.
Xaden’s hand slides over my left thigh and stays there. He’s had one hand on me since leaving the patio. It’s amazing I managed to get into my flight leathers, but I get it. If I’d just watched him face down a venin, I’d probably be in his fucking lap right now.
“Your power is…astounding.” Tecarus shakes his head slowly at me, as if awestruck. “And you’re still untrained. Just think of what you’ll be a few years from now, or even one.”
Xaden’s hand splays wide, and I lace my fingers over his.
“That doesn’t sound like an offer.” I keep my voice as level as possible, trying like hell to ignore that this man nearly killed not only me but Brennan and Mira.
Anger rises to boiling wrath swiftly—too swiftly.
I glance at Cat. “Stay out of my head or I’ll start wielding inside.”
She leans back in her chair, but that narrowing of her eyes isn’t defeat. Oh no, she’s sizing me up as a worthy opponent.
Game on.
“Do you know why I’m such a successful collector?” the viscount asks, practically vibrating with excitement. “I have a gift for knowing what it is people want, what motivates them to give up their treasures.” Gods, he’s Varrish’s opposite. Our signets really aren’t that different than mindwork. “I think you and I could strike a deal if you consider that I could deliver your wildest dreams.”
Xaden strokes my thigh absentmindedly, but it helps keep me grounded. “And what do you think my wildest dreams are?” I ask.
“Peace.” Tecarus nods, his movements growing more erratic the more excited he becomes. “Not for you, of course. That’s not what motivates you. Peace for the people you love.”
Xaden’s fingers still.
“Peace for him,” Tecarus finishes.
My next breath is shaky. “I’m listening.”
He presents his offer, and I have to admit, for a second, it’s tempting. Spending a few years as his personal guard dog, monitoring the riderless wyvern who have begun flying over routinely in patterns that look suspiciously like control, in return for living out the rest of my days with Xaden, our dragons, and my loved ones on an isle committed to peace sounds perfect. It’s also the coward’s way out and completely unfeasible. The isles don’t accept Navarrians even as visitors.