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)
Life could be so much simpler if the Rippies were the same, but I know they won’t mine our caves, and even if they wanted to, I wouldn’t let them because they’d steal every bloody gem.
In my study, I stack my papers and tuck them into a folder before checking my transmitter, hoping to see a message or contact from one of Hassha’s people, but there’s nothing.
I sigh.
Willow is right. It’s been way too long since we’ve heard back from them about Warren.
I hate to think it, but something must be wrong.
I stand and search my pockets for a bloom. I find the pack, but it’s empty, so I leave the office and head to my chamber.
Willow is fast asleep, a stretch of moonlight bathing one half of her face. Her brown skin is like satin, and her supple lips are pouty.
She’s been hanging in the chamber more and not talking as much. She’s still down about Faye. I felt her heartache the day she called her and was completely aware of her tears. When I brought it up, she just shook her head and lay in my arms to cry again.
I understand how she feels, and it kills me because I can’t do anything about this situation with Faye. If I could, I’d bring her straight to Vakeeli just to see my mate smile.
I find my blooms then walk to her side of the bed to drop a kiss on her lips. She moans and cracks one eye open. A smile forms, and she shifts to her side.
“Did I wake you?” I ask in a low voice.
“No. I wasn’t fully asleep yet.” She leans closer, her lips brushing against the tip of my nose. She starts to speak, but a silhouette cuts through the moonlight, casting a shadow over us.
Willow gasps, sitting upright with wide eyes as she stares past me. I reach for the gun in my holster and turn around to aim at the intruder.
As the balcony doors fly open, a towering figure stands in the doorway, clad in shimmering gold armor. A spear is gripped tightly in one hand while a sword hangs from a sheath at their waist.
Their eyes bore into mine, and I lower my gun when I see it’s Milandra. With each step she takes toward me, the clanking of her heavy armor echoes through the room.
I look her over with a frown. “You almost got yourself killed.”
“I’ve been standing on your balcony for some time now waiting for you to show yourself. If anyone was about to be killed, it was you.”
I curl a hand into a fist then reach for the lamp switch to turn it on. The room illuminates, and I can see Hassha’s warrior clearly now. I swear she’s gotten even bigger, the muscles in her arms cut and defined.
Milandra’s dark eyes flicker to Willow as she climbs out of the bed.
“Are you here about my brother?” Willow inquires with a surge of hope.
Milandra doesn’t answer. Instead, she points her gaze to me and says, “Come with me.”
Willow hurries for her shoes.
“Not you,” Milandra says to Willow. “You.” She points a stern finger at me.
From the corner of my eye, I see Willow drop the shoes and face us again. “What the hell are you talking about? You’re going to Kessel, right?” she demands.
Again, Milandra doesn’t answer, so Willow rushes to my side. “Caz?”
“It’s all right, Willow.” I look into her panicked eyes. “Let me go with her. I’ll find out what’s going on.”
“No, Caz. I have to come with you. I need to see that Warren is okay.” Willow takes a step toward Milandra, who tenses and flares her nostrils. “Please, Milandra. Take me with you. He’s my brother.”
For once, it seems Milandra softens. Her shoulders lose only a bit of the hardness as she examines Willow’s worried expression.
“For your safety, I suggest you stay here, Willow,” Milandra finally says.
“Suppose my safety doesn’t matter,” I mutter.
“No, it doesn’t. Now let’s go. My queen does not like to be kept waiting.”
“Fine.” I tuck the blooms into my pocket before holding Willow’s face in my hands. “I’m sure everything is fine. I’ll be back before you know it.”
“But Caz,” she whispers. She cuts her eyes at Milandra before focusing on me again. I told you something’s not right. I told you! I need to come with you. I need to see that he’s safe.
You can’t, Willow. Just stay here. I’ll find out what’s going on, make sure Warren is safe, and I’ll come back. Okay?
She swallows, lips pouting.
Do you trust me?
She glances warily at Milandra again, who is glaring daggers at both of us.
Of course I trust you. But please keep your wall down.
I will. I place a kiss on her forehead, and she clings to me before I can step away.