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)
Killian presses his lips as he considers it. “I’m fine.”
“Let’s move along.” Arie gives us his back as he saunters ahead. He doesn’t make it very far though because I end up gagging and rushing to one of the oversized planters in the corner.
With my knees planted on the floor, I throw up everything I’d just consumed.
“Love of Vakeeli,” I whisper when the retching ends.
Killian stomps toward Arie and grips him by the collar of his shirt.
“What did you put in the food?”
Arie’s eyes broaden, but it’s hardly a reaction. He frees himself from Killian’s grip and says, “As I’ve told you before, we’ve done nothing to the food.”
“How do I know that?” Killian snaps.
“You’ll just have to believe me. I think Willow, here, is just homesick. Or perhaps she’s still adjusting to the Vakeeli diet. I can imagine food on Earth isn’t quite as extraordinary.”
Killian turns away from him to help me to my feet. “Let’s get you back to your room,” he murmurs.
When we pass Arie, Killian gives him the most threatening death stare yet.
TWENTY-SEVEN
WILLOW
When I’ve made it to my room, Killian helps me onto the bed, and I rest with my back on the headboard.
I want to sleep so badly, but I doubt it’ll happen in this place. My stomach is still weak, and now I have a headache.
“I’ll have one of our servants bring you some tea,” Arie says, then he takes off before either Killian or I can protest.
Killian paces the room. “As much as I hate giving them any credit, I don’t think they tampered with the food. Perhaps being in this castle is getting to you, not to mention you aren’t with your mate so that could be causing an issue. Don’t you two get sick or weak or something when you’re apart for too long?”
“There’s an ache sometimes, yeah.” I sigh as I rub the center of my chest. “My whole body wants to be next to him. My heart feels like it’s beating slower without him.”
“That bloody Tether,” Killian rasps. “Can’t imagine having to deal with that. Being attached to someone else and feeling everything they feel, smelling what they smell, hearing all their thoughts. No secrets whatsoever.”
I huff a laugh. “It does sound pretty crazy when you lay it out like that.”
There’s a gentle knock at the door moments later, and Sylvie appears with a chrome tray in her hands. “Tea for the Lady Monarch of Blackwater?”
I smile and sit up a bit as she enters the room and places the tray on the stand next to my bed. She pours two cups of steaming tea before stepping back. “I melted Luxor ice and used it for the water. It has properties that calm the body and settle the stomach. There is also a hint of verdeberry for flavor.”
Hearing her say verdeberry immediately reminds me of Decius…well, back when he was Manx and Alexi was simply a barman under his spell.
So much has changed since then. It’s insane how quickly life happens here.
“Thank you, Sylvie,” I murmur.
“Of course. And in case you want a treat, I slipped some cream biscuits beneath the napkin.”
I smile, raising the napkin and spotting the round biscuits.
“You’re way too nice to be working in a terrible place like this.”
“I keep my head down and my words limited.” She smiles back. “Besides, if I didn’t work here, I never would’ve met such an inspirational woman like you. It’s my pleasure to serve you.”
With a quick bow, she leaves the room, shutting the door behind her.
I pick up my tea, taking in the familiar flavor of the verdeberry. Killian eyes me before picking up the extra cup and taking hefty sips.
“Speaking of being attached to someone else,” I say, cupping the teacup in my hand. “On Armistice Night I saw you running off with Hannie Keery. Last I checked, you two hated each other.”
Killian pauses as he brings the rim of the cup to his mouth. “We’re not supposed to like each other.”
I don’t know how to interpret that, and judging by the way he diverts his gaze and takes bigger sips, it’s clear he doesn’t want to speak on this subject.
I wave a hand. “We don’t have to talk about it.”
The room falls silent, both of us sipping, the flames on the floating candles crackling.
“As crazy as what you and Caz have, sometimes I envy it,” Killian says after some time.
“Why?” I ask, a little surprised.
“Because there is no competition to be had. No need to worry about finding the right one. It’s instant, what you two have. You’re bound by history and fate. You knew each other before even meeting one another.” Killian runs a hand over his bald head, his frown slowly slipping away. “Ordinary people in Vakeeli can bond and mate too. Not sure if you’re aware of that.”