Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 156907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
“Interesting,” Mars murmured.
I agreed, for I could not imagine men larger than the Firenz or Airenzian.
“Tor will remain here,” Frey went on. “With his experience, he could be useful in covert situations.”
True inclined his head to Frey.
“Where will Chu go?” Serena asked my husband.
“He will come home,” Mars answered.
Serena accepted this answer readily.
Elena and Cassius studied her closely as she did.
As if raised by her mention of him, the man himself, Chu, prowled in.
“Oh balls,” I whispered at one glance at his face.
“What now?” Mars asked his Trusted.
Chu, to my surprise, looked not to his king, but to Serena.
“Two nights past, The Enchantments were attacked.”
“This happens often, Chu,” Serena dismissed on a shrug.
Chu, already looking grim, now appeared dour.
I would understand why when he shared, “They used a unicorn horn and had kidnapped a Nadirii in order to bring down the veil.”
There were gasps, including one from myself, but before I’d recovered from my shock, I sensed an emotion much more intense had saturated the room.
Wrath.
And it was emanating from Cassius.
“What is this you say?” he hissed at Chu.
“I am sorry for the news,” Chu said to Cassius but looked to Elena and his expression changed to one that made the skin at the back of my neck itch. “I am sorry for the news,” he repeated softly. “The Nadirii who was abducted was your mentor.”
The blood drained from Elena’s face.
“She is alive, though gravely wounded,” Chu went on. “The Nadirii received a warning prior to the attack, thus they prepared and easily defeated the aggressors. No other Nadirii warriors were mortally or critically wounded.”
“We must go immediately to Mother,” Serena declared.
“I must go immediately to Melisse,” Elena whispered.
“Lamb,” Cassius murmured, and Elena’s head tipped back to look at her betrothed.
“Cassius,” she said, but her voice broke pitifully in the middle of his name in such a way I felt a small break in my heart.
We all then watched as Cassius took hold of Elena, muttering, “Excuse us,” and then he guided her out of the room.
I would not suspect that of Cassius, that thoughtfulness, that attention to Elena’s needs and seeing to them without her being in a state to share them.
But I liked it very much.
After they left, Aramus asked, “Is this attack of The Rising?”
“Yes,” Chu answered.
The feel of the room degenerated further.
“Were the communications from Ophelia?” Mars queried.
“Yes,” Chu repeated.
“Were orders forwarded for Elena and myself?” Serena inquired.
Chu shook his head. “Not with the birds thus received.”
Serena looked frustrated by this.
“I’m loathe to move forward, but my citizens have been amassing since the events of yesterday. I have an important announcement to make, and after what befell us, I cannot delay it,” True mentioned.
“Not to worry, the Nadirii can take care of ourselves,” Serena proclaimed. “Obviously,” she finished proudly.
She was right.
Except, now…
“A unicorn horn was taken,” I reminded her of a deed that was despicable in so many ways, it was impossible to describe them all.
It was also terribly unlawful in all realms.
“I cannot believe they have unicorns here,” Maddie whispered to Finnie.
“I know, right?” Finnie whispered to Maddie.
“The Nadirii can take care of ourselves,” Serena repeated.
“Perhaps all the birds have not arrived from Ophelia yet,” True suggested. “We have some time before all scatter to discuss if this further news changes any plans. But now, we have no time. We must make our way to the balcony.”
There were a number of nodding heads and all shifted to do just that.
However, I hung back.
My husband gave me a mild scowl.
“Go on, Mars. I’ll be right there,” I told him.
This did not improve his scowl.
I turned to Serena and requested, “Serena, if I could have a moment before we go?”
She seemed startled by this, but she stopped moving, indicating her assent.
I looked back to Mars.
“Just a moment, my king,” I murmured.
He did not appear to like it, but he nodded and moved to and through the door.
I moved to Serena.
“I must ask a favor, and of course, you can refuse,” I began. “Indeed, we may not have the time before we go our separate ways should you wish to grant it.”
“What is it?” she queried.
“I wish for you to teach me some skills with, perhaps, a dagger.”
She blinked at me.
“And, I do not know,” I continued. “I am small, this may be useless, but some physical strategies. Should I, erm…find myself in the situation to, say, use them.”
“Smallness means nothing if you keep your head about you and do not mind punching a man in the throat or kicking him in the balls,” Serena declared.
Faith! I thought.
“Oh,” I whispered.
She studied me, still appearing to be astonished, but also something else.
Cautious?
Pleased?
“We will make time,” she decreed.
I tipped my chin. “I would be most grateful.”
“Farah and Ha-Lah too,” she said.
“I think that would be wise,” I replied.
“The men won’t like it, will they?” she asked.