Total pages in book: 148
Estimated words: 140412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 702(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 468(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 702(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 468(@300wpm)
“It seems more likely,” I agree, as if we didn’t have this exact conversation the night before.
“What is the spell, exactly?” a previously silent council member asks. “What is it meant to do?”
“It was meant to ensure that the queen and I found each other and bred,” Nathan states flatly.
My cheeks burn with embarrassment.
“Then it should be fairly easy to avoid completing the spell,” the councilman states. “Don’t breed.”
Nathan and I exchange a glance, and he gives me a small nod.
“We didn’t know about the spell prior to our mating ceremony.” No need to mention the boning down we did before that night. “And the spell was successful.”
“Congratulations, Your Majesties,” someone says.
“We’ve not given the news to the rest of the pack. This is private information and if it leaks, we’ll know how,” Nathan warns.
There’s a rumble of agreement around the room.
“Until we find out what the thralls want with our child, we need to keep it as protected as possible,” I add. What I don’t say is that we clearly need it protected from our own kind, and the fact that we don’t know why consumes my every waking thought.
Which is okay, because it means my every waking thought isn’t consumed by my complicated grief for Clare.
“From this point forward, our meetings will be held here,” Nathan tells the council. “We won’t be filling the vacant seats until this situation is resolved. You’re all here because you were judged loyal and supportive to the crown. Do not prove us wrong.”
My phone alarm goes off and I hurry to silence it. “Gentlemen, I have a meeting I need to attend.”
I feel Nathan’s gaze on me. He knows where I’m going and how much I dread it.
“I encourage all of you to cooperate with Councilman Hunter’s investigation,” I go on. “He is my voice, and the voice of the king, in this matter. Unless we explicitly announce otherwise.”
That won’t be an issue; I trust Ryan with our lives, as well as our authority.
“This meeting is dismissed,” Nathan announces.
I stand by awkwardly as they all rise and bow to us and shake hands with each other before they depart the room. Shifting from one foot to the other, I want to shout, “Just leave! You’re making me late!”
When they’ve all finally filed out, Nathan stands and comes to my side, putting his arm around me. “Will you be all right?”
“No.” I tuck my head against his chest. “This is going to suck so bad.”
“It will,” he agrees. “But you can’t put it off forever.”
Reluctantly, I pull away from him and lift my face for a kiss.
“Do you want me to come with you?” he asks when our lips part.
I don’t laugh outright at the suggestion, but it’s definitely ridiculous. “No. I don’t think your presence is welcome.”
“I understand.” He gives me one last kiss on the forehead.
I turn to Xiao. “Okay. Let’s go. Let’s get this over with.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
It’s time to visit Tara.
CHAPTER 66
Tara is dressed all in black, seated on the sofa in the parlor adjoining her room and Clare’s. That door is closed, draped with black bunting.
I sit in the chair perpendicular to the sofa and silently will my sister to look at me, to speak to me beyond the mumbled, “Your Majesty,” I got when she curtseyed formally at my entrance, or the offer of a beverage, which I refused.
“How are you?” I ask finally.
“It’s very lonely here,” she says flatly. “It was different, with Clare. More like when we lived at home, before we were mated. We didn’t see each other much when you were away.”
“Because you were newly wed?”
She nods.
“I understand that,” I try, hating myself for even attempting to link my experience with hers. “Getting caught up in your mate’s life and drifting away from your own.”
“It’s a bit different for you. You’re also caught up in being queen.” She finally makes eye contact with me. “Do you think that maybe you got too caught up in it? And that’s why…”
She doesn’t finish her sentence, probably owing to the wobble in her voice near the end.
We’ve been over this, and she still won’t accept the truth. “I didn’t sentence Clare to death.”
“No. Your husband did. And not just death. Degradation. You forced her to take part in Lycaon’s Banquet. You made her—” a retching noise deep in her throat stops Tara this time.
“She sided with the traitors who tried to kill me.” I stop myself. “Tara, I trust you. If I tell you something… it can’t leave this room.”
“What loyalty do you deserve?” she demands.
I don’t have an answer for that.
“And you don’t trust me. I’m under constant surveillance.” She lifts her chin. “Do you think I can’t tell that my mail has been opened? Do you think I haven’t found it unusual that a thrall guard takes my phone away at night?”