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 guess.” She rests her head on my chest again, and I hug her tight. Her warm breaths skate down my chest, and I feel her heartbeat slowing to a calmer rhythm. “I don’t think I’d have my head on straight if it weren’t for you.” Her head tilts, a faint smile appearing as she gazes into my eyes.
“That so?”
“Yeah.”
“I could say the same about you, Willow Woman. I’d probably be dead in the bottom of the sea right now.”
“Don’t say that!” She giggles. I laugh, running the back of my fingers up her jawline before dropping my lips to hers.
She sighs behind it, and I can’t help groaning. I pull her in closer, as if we aren’t close enough already, and she raises her hands to cup my face. She starts to climb on my lap and I’m ready to take her on, but of course our time alone never lasts.
A loud scream fills the hollows of the castle, and it sounds like Juniper.
Willow snatches her mouth away, gasps, and freezes. Her eyes widen as she hears Juniper squeal again.
I roll out of bed, collecting my gun from the nightstand and storming out of the bedroom. I hurry down the stairs, and Willow follows closely behind.
I don’t stop until I find Juniper in the kitchen. With her is Killian and Makoto, our chef and the man who keeps Blackwater Manor in order.
“What’s going on?” I search for threats, scanning the kitchen left and right. There are none. Everyone is calm—well, everyone except for Juniper.
She bounces on her toes in the middle of the kitchen, an ivory scroll clutched in her hands.
“She won’t spit it the fuck out,” Killian grumbles over his bowl.
“Juniper? What’s going on?” Willow asks, stepping around me.
“Caz, Willow! You will not believe what I have!” Juniper squeals again, rushing my way.
“For fuck’s sake. I thought you were hurt, Juniper! I haven’t even put on proper clothes yet,” I snap, but she ignores me, opens the scroll, and shoves it into my hands.
This isn’t just any kind of scroll. It’s thick with the Vakeeli letterhead and was likely delivered by The Council’s little minions from Luxor.
I take the paper from Juniper and read the letter.
To Monarch Harlow and the Blackwater Clan,
You are cordially invited to Armistice Night beneath the celestial sky of Vanora. As always, no deaths will be tolerated. Any purposeful fatalities on the night of Armistice will result in capital punishment.
“Great,” I grumble, lowering the scroll. “Armistice Night. This is what you’re excited about?”
“Of course I’m excited!” Juniper shrills.
“Makoto,” I call, and he whips his head up.
“Yes, Monarch Harlow?”
“Can you send some tea to the grand room please?”
He bows his head. “Of course, sir.”
“I know this year is going to be incredible,” Juniper goes on, trailing closely behind me. She and Willow follow me into the grand room where the seating is practically infinite.
The walls are painted dark gray, several leather sofas accompanied by upholstered chairs scattered throughout the room. A wall of books occupies the west wall.
The wall of windows reveals a rippling black ocean. It’s early, and a few wisps of sunlight sneak through gray clouds.
“I can’t wait to dance and sing and drink every damn item they have at the bars, and—oh, goodness.” Juniper gasps, pressing a rather dramatic hand to her chest. “What am I going to wear? I don’t have a dress! I’ll need a dress. And so will you, Willow.”
“Rein it in, will you, Juniper?” I claim one of the larger sofas. “You don’t even know if Willow wants to go.”
“Of course I want to go,” Willow exclaims. “Alora told me all about Armistice Night. It only happens every couple of years, right?”
“Yes, a time when we must surround ourselves with all our enemies and choke down all the hate for one night,” I grumble. “It’s ridiculous. You can’t erase hatred that easily.”
“I agree.” Killian’s voice rises from a distance. He enters the room, standing beneath one of the overhead lights with his arms crossed. “It’d be dangerous for us to go, especially after the Rami situation. His son is still dodging us.”
“Oh, stop it!” Juniper chides. “Just bring a fleet for backup, and we’ll be fine. It’ll be fun to party and hang out. After all the shit we’ve been through, we deserve to let loose for once.”
Can’t deny that. We have been going through some insane shit lately.
Mournwrath.
Cold Tethers.
Regals.
“Do you not remember what happened the last time you let loose?” Killian asks, eyes fixed on his sister. “You nearly got yourself killed in Iron Class because of that bloody temper of yours.”
“You’re one to talk about a temper,” Juniper retorts.
“Who’s going to a party?” Rowan pops into the room as well, snagging a spot on one of the sofas. Makoto trails in behind him, placing a tray of tea on the center table.