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)
“Right.” I walk toward Milandra. “Let’s not keep your precious queen waiting any longer.”
THIRTEEN
WILLOW
I feel nothing but dread as I watch Caz follow Milandra to the balcony.
One moment they’re standing there, and the next, with just a spark of blue light, they’re gone.
Despite him being gone though, I can hear his thoughts. He’s made it to Kessel. Through his senses, I can smell that familiar scent of salty ocean and the floral breeze.
Where is everyone? I hear him ask.
What’s happening?
The village is vacant. I don’t see anyone. There’s a pause. I’m getting a bad feeling.
Is she taking you to Warren?
No. We’re going up a ridiculously tall staircase. One moment.
I sink my teeth into my bottom lip. There’s a slight increase in Caz’s heart rate. It doesn’t seem like fear, but more like he’s exerting himself.
There’s a palace at the top, towering above the trees. Didn’t see this the last time we were here.
That’s surprising to hear. Hassha has a palace?
Think so. Strange she didn’t show us. Another reason I don’t trust her. Wait. Shit! What the fuck is that?
“Caz?” I call. “Caz?”
I stand up and pace the room while repeating his name, but he doesn’t answer.
Then I realize…
He’s put his wall up.
FOURTEEN
CAZ
I’ve seen many things in my lifetime, but never did I expect to see the creature thrashing about in the cage above me.
You’d think Hassha’s towering palace would’ve captured my attention most, but taking in the details of the interior as I pass through has been put on the back burner.
This creature’s wings are dark and waxy just like the rest of its body. It’s bald, with teeth sharp enough to rip through flesh. It screeches as it clutches the bars of the gilded cage, and when its eyes snap to mine, it glares.
The eyes are what throw me off.
I expected eyes of a monster—a set of ghoulish, ugly irises that accompany nightmares—but the eyes this thing has are completely humane.
And familiar. Very familiar.
Brown and deep. It takes me only a second to remember who they belong to.
When it clicks, I frown and add a double layer of protection around my thoughts so Willow won’t hear me.
Fuck me. That’s her brother in that cage.
“Caspian,” a voice calls, stealing my attention away. I survey the grand room adorned with wood and gold until my gaze settles on the throne occupied by Hassha.
Her sister Korah sits next to her, both of them donning impressive gold armor. Their eyes are sharp and determined, their flawless faces framed by snow-white hair.
Standing nearby are a handful of armed Kessel warriors, clad in full armor and tightly gripping the handles of their weapons.
“Come,” Milandra says, already marching forward.
I cut a glance at Warren again before making my way toward the throne.
“I’m glad you could make it,” Hassha says, but her voice is far from welcoming. It lacks emotion, like I’m the last person she wants to speak to. It’s a complete contrast to the warmth it held the last time I saw her near Ruby Falls.
“I wasn’t aware that I had a choice,” I return, pressing my lips.
“Always with the snark.” Korah folds her arms with a quirked brow.
I jerk my thumb back at the creature in the cage. “Please tell me that’s not who I think it is.”
Korah glances at Hassha, who tips her chin and peers out a glassless window. “It is exactly who you think it is, and it is why we sent for you only.” Hassha’s fiery blue eyes drop to mine, and I feel a prickling inside my head. She’s reading me, searching for something. “Are your thoughts protected?”
“Yes.” No way am I letting Willow hear any of this.
I glance back at Warren again. He hisses louder now.
“Good. Make sure they remain protected until you return to Blackwater.” Hassha presses a gentle hand on her sister’s arm before rising to a graceful stand. “Let’s move to a quieter space.”
Korah follows her lead, and both Regals make their way down the steps beneath the throne in a steady gait. When they walk past me and cross the room, Korah peers over her shoulder and says, “Come along.”
Sighing, I give Warren one more look. He thrusts an arm through a gap in the cage, hissing at me. Spittle flies off his slimy tongue as he snarls, and I turn away, doing my best to ward off the throb of guilt building in my chest. If I feel anything negative, so will Willow, and the last thing I want is for her to know something has gone terribly wrong.
What even happened to him? Did they turn him into that thing? I knew The Regals couldn’t be trusted. Now I’m the fool because I’m walking into what is likely a trap.
The guards push thick, towering wooden doors apart, and The Regals saunter in. As I enter, I’m momentarily taken aback by the sight of trees beneath my feet. The space between them is occupied by a stream of glowing blue water.