Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112089 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112089 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
“No, it wasn’t. I’ve never appreciated the rough skin of my other form as much as I did today.”
He met me on the grass before swinging me up into his arms. “I want to do my own victory lap with you. After a shower, maybe. You have chicken smell all over you.”
“Not funny. Her broken arms are going to hurt for a while. I healed her a good bit but left a bunch for her to heal herself.”
The door opened as we got there.
“It’s about time you came back,” Ivy House said.
“Don’t sass me, or I’ll leave again.”
“To answer your question about Niamh, she probably had Nessa on her back to either protect her or annoy Brochan,” Austin said as he carried me up to my room. “I sent him to grab Nessa when the dome was falling. I worried someone would think it was a free-for-all against the mages.”
“Ah. Then she’s probably upset Broken Sue didn’t get a chance to grab her. She doesn’t mind being squished against his muscles.”
“That’s why I sent him instead of Kace.”
I arched an eyebrow at him.
He gave me a lopsided grin and shrugged before setting me down in the bathroom. “The guy could use a little…fun. She doesn’t seem scared by his intensity or concerned about his past.”
“I think she deals with some pretty shady characters. Broken Sue is intense, but he’s safe. Beyond safe. He’s protection incarnate, like you. I get the feeling she’s used to dealing with the kind of people who’d slip a knife in her back as soon as it’s turned.” I wiped my hand down my face. “We need to discuss plans with Sebastian and Nessa. I’ve seen them in training, obviously, but we only talk about magic. I’ve been too busy running away from what’s waking up inside of me to get a handle on the outside world.”
“We will.” He turned on the shower and stepped in, reaching for my hand. I joined him. “For now, let’s celebrate your victories. News of today is going to spread quickly. Any doubts about you will be thoroughly put to rest.”
“Let’s hope so, because soon, I’ll need to use all my focus for the gargoyle cairn leaders.” I let the warm spray beat down on my back as he grabbed the fluffy purple loofa. “I still have two empty places in the circle, too. And shouldn’t I try to connect with some mages? I need to talk to Sebastian about that.” I leaned my forehead against his shoulder. “Running away from my problems was so much easier.”
He laughed softly. “It’s easier in the beginning, definitely. But your problems will always catch up to you. The longer you avoid them, the worse your reunion with them will be.”
He couldn’t have been more correct.
SEVEN
“Good morning, miss.”
A dull thunk announced my coffee mug being set on the bedside table. The bed was empty beside me, Austin having left earlier to deal with pack matters.
Mr. Tom stood over me with a pleased smile and a sparkle in his eyes. “I trust you slept well? When you did sleep, of course. Late one, hmm?” He gave me a wink.
I felt my eyebrows pinch together but didn’t respond. It was best if you ignored him and hoped he went away.
“How’s Sebastian?” I asked, feeling him down in the bowels of Ivy House. “How long has he been in the crystal room?”
“Lost track of things last night?”
His grin was a little embarrassing and very annoying. I was a grown woman. I shouldn’t have to blush about adult activities.
Then again, Mr. Tom wasn’t the kind of person you’d want to confide in about your sex life.
He must have sensed my discomfort through our Ivy House bond, because he switched gears and answered my question. “Sebastian’s been in there since Kace and Broken Sue brought him here after the challenge. They practically carried him. Austin seems to have given him quite a fright. From his constant mumbles when I was bringing him food, I assume he has lost his mind. Fear can do that to a person. Ivy House will keep him from spinning out of control and killing us all, though, don’t you worry. She isn’t helping with the gnomes, but she will help with a homicidal mage, I am certain.”
“He needs a moment to collect his thoughts,” Ivy House said. “Or maybe he needs to be forced to sleep at this point. He is harmless to you, but…he sounds a little wound up. His mumbling has only increased in fervor and volume.”
I rubbed my eyes. “I’ll check on him in a bit.”
“Of course, miss. What are we thinking for this morning?” Mr. Tom looked at the little table near the window. “Shall we have our breakfast at the table today? It’s a lovely day to look over the grounds. Or how about you drink your coffee, get showered, and I’ll set up a late breakfast for you out on the grass? I can have Edgar put up the canopy.”