Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
I look into her electric eyes and nod. Stretching my fingers, I conjure a sword in my right hand and a shield in the other.
“We fight hard for what we love today.”
With a proud smile, Hassha summons her own weapons. “Today and always, Seed of Yuri.”
EIGHTY
WILLOW
“Do you need more water, Maeve?” I hold the canteen above her as Juniper adjusts the pillows under her head.
“No, I’m all right, dear.” She stares up at the gray ceiling of the bunker. “I hate it down here. The last time I saw this place, my idiot brother had gotten into a feud with the king of Vanora. Bombs everywhere.”
“This is mad,” Juniper mutters, pulling a quilt over her mother. “My brothers and cousin are putting their lives on the line. I never pray to The Regals, but I pray to the good ones that they’ll get through this fight.”
She kicks a crate of fruit away, searching for Maeve’s elixir.
When she huffs under her breathe, Maeve takes her hand and makes her freeze. “They’re strong,” Maeve murmurs. “They’ll make it back to us.”
“I dunno, Mum. They’ve fought before, but not like this. Never against monsters. Dragons and giants?” Juniper swallows, peering around the spacious bunker. “It’s maddening.”
I look with her at the tribe of Kessel women and children. The mothers are holding on to their little ones while a few of them braid hair or nibble on fruit and jerky to keep distracted. A small group of the children surround Minka and Maia, who are helping Carra knit a skirt.
“These poor children,” Juniper whispers. “And Hassha’s twins. What happens when they realize she isn’t coming back?”
Juniper’s eyes flick to mine. I don’t know what to say to that so I lower my head and press my lips. Maeve’s warm hand wraps around both of ours.
“Stop fretting, both of you.”
“I’m going to check on Carra and the twins.” I place a kiss on Maeve’s cheek before leaving her be on her cot.
Carra’s eyes slide up to mine, but she rapidly looks away as I approach. She’s scared but keeping a brave face for the girls. Minka and Maia notice me and hop to a stand.
“I brought my sword,” Minka says, revealing the hilt of it at her waist.
I laugh, lowering to one knee. “And what do you plan to use it on?”
“Anything that tries to come after us,” she states proudly.
“That won’t be necessary. We’re safe here.” And I believe it more than anything. The door is sealed with magic, glowing with purple and blue waves.
“Do you think my mum will be okay?” Maia asks in a soft voice. Her eyes are wet as she gazes into mine. “I’m really scared, Willow.”
I glance at Minka who shifts on her feet. Though she seems like a fearless little thing, there is still panic deep in her eyes. Worry.
Oh, they are going to be shattered.
“Aw, girls.” I hug them tight. “Your mother is strong. She beat Selah before, and she’ll beat her again.”
I hope.
EIGHTY-ONE
CAZ
The stairs are a steep climb up. I would fly, teleport to the top with my clan even, but I don’t know what awaits us.
Instead, we hike up the stairs and we don’t slow, even as the hazy red sky appears. The scent of sulfur and smoke wafts in the air the higher we climb, and when the stairs quake, I grip the hilt of my sword tighter.
Then we’re level with the floating rock. Red dirt spreads throughout this heinous land Selah has created. Some of it is formed into mounds and hills. Dust streams by, blocking our view of what’s ahead.
I narrow my eyes, and they warm up. Through the dust, I see a throng of creatures all standing with their claws out and wings spread. The dust settles as more of our army marches onto the battlefield.
Over the edge, one could fall to their death, so I keep moving forward, making sure everyone will fit. Hassha and Korah sail above, landing several feet ahead of me and immediately withdrawing their weapons.
Korah wields a scythe and a shield. Hassha, a sharp, flaming sword and shield. They stand tall in their armor, and when they stop walking, I do too.
The marching ceases, and the dust settles. The creatures come into clear view—rows and rows of them. They go as far back as the ocean would, hardly an end in sight.
The towering giants stand between them, and there are at least two dozen of them. Dragons soar in the sky above them, and I watch as they swoop down to land on the outskirts of Selah’s army.
And then there’s Selah herself standing in all red armor. A helmet is on her head, but the hair that’s free flies with the wind. She wields a sword in one hand while the other is wrapped in flames.
“Fuck,” Killian rumbles, squaring his shoulders.