Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 114551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
It’s a long drive back into Faders Bay, and I find myself gazing out the window as I sit across Dalton’s lap, my head resting against his wide chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. Dalton is too good for this. He’s got the biggest heart I’ve ever seen, and I can’t stand the thought of him being an outcast like this.
My fingers lace through his as we listen to the soft music playing through the car speakers, and I find myself considering what could potentially come of today. If my father really does stand before the people of Empire and make his intentions known, and it somehow turns into a battle that claims his life, where does that leave me?
I’ll officially be the only true blood heir of Empire, next in line to claim the throne, but do I actually want it? I don’t know. I mean, sure. I’ve pictured myself stealing it out from under Zade with the intention of burning it to the ground, but to take it and lead? I can’t say it’s ever been something I’ve wanted for myself. But if that’s what it comes down to, if that’s the fate I am thrust into, can I actually go through with it? Will I be required to follow the archaic rituals and sacrifice the heart of an innocent life?
I couldn’t. Nothing is worth that.
But the biggest question is, could I take the leadership if it meant selfishly taking the one thing Zade has ever wanted?
No. I don’t think I could.
It’s another hour before we reach the city limits of Faders Bay and another fifteen minutes before Zade brings the SUV to a stop in the backstreets behind the massive cathedral. Today has been planned as two separate events. It will start with the funeral in the cathedral with what I’m sure will be a beautiful ceremony, and then later tonight, after each individual family has taken the time for a private burial, there will be a mass celebration of life. A party to honor the victims of the explosion, a night their families and friends can always look back on.
The funeral is due to start in the next thirty minutes, and the streets are already packed with bodies. The boys scan the streets with their skilled stares, checking for possible threats and spotting each of my father’s snipers within seconds.
We don’t dare risk going in just yet. Instead, we remain in the car and watch our surroundings. Then as Zade cracks his window, we hear his name whispered on the lips of those walking by, calling him a traitor and a joke, and I’ve never wanted to drop a bitch so bad in my life. If only they knew.
The boys are not usually the type to make a late entrance. They like to have the upper hand, but that’s not possible today, and as we slip out of the SUV and into the street, we do what we can to discreetly blend in with the crowd.
Dalton walks beside me, his hand on my lower back and his head down, much like many of the other men making their way into the cathedral. We spread out so we don’t look like some kind of avenging pack storming through the gates of hell, and within minutes, we’ve entered the cathedral and are taking our seats.
Cara and Easton sit in the pew in front, Easton leaving enough space on either side of him in case he needs to move quickly, while Sawyer sits on my opposite side. Zade stays hidden at the back, not wanting to risk showing his face until it’s completely necessary, but he keeps a watchful eye over everything, ready to have our backs at a moment’s notice.
I don’t see my father, but the chill in my veins tells me he’s here.
The last time I saw him, he launched a knife right through my chest, and I can only assume that he thinks I’m dead. I hope at least. If he’s expecting me, this isn’t going to go well, but if we have the advantage of the shock factor working in our favor, that could potentially help.
With so many bodies trying to cram into the cathedral, it takes a little while for the service to get underway, and when it does, it’s just as beautiful as I expected. The names are read out one by one—a role that was originally supposed to be performed by Zade—and a representative from each family rises and walks to the front of the church before lighting a candle in honor of their loved one.
I hear people weeping from every corner of the room, the emotions riding high, and as the service begins to wrap up, I start to wonder if my father is even planning on making his appearance.