Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
My determination to reach the City of Lux reached new heights. I must see that portrait and read that journal. “I won’t comment on any of this right now. I need time to think.” And a distraction until this sense of rawness dulled. “Tell me about your parents. Your brothers.”
Jasher stared at me, silent for a long while. So long I figured he’d ended the conversation. Then he stated, “I don’t wish to discuss my parents, but I will tell you my brothers are both enforcers in the royal army, like me. More and more, Anders has been wandering off, neglecting his duties. Reese and I cover for him as best we can, but this time he has disappeared for much longer than usual.”
Concern dripped from his last words. “You love him,” I stated.
“Very much. Along with Reese, he is the most important person in my life. But he will cause us nothing but trouble if he fails to report to the Guardian on time.”
The Tinman had a heart, after all. Go figure. “There must be a reason he keeps wandering off.”
“Yes. He dreams of living a normal life.” Jasher scoffed. “Marriage and children.”
“Not a fan of commitment.” I mimed writing in a book. “Noted.”
“There’s no law against it, but most royal guards choose not to have a romantic partner. If ever they must be executed, we are the one assigned to do the deed.” His voice tightened at the end.
Yeah, that would deter me, too. “Do you have any leads on Ander’s location?”
“Only that he was seen in the forest.”
Wait. The chapel landed atop a man near the forest who’d worn an executioner’s boots. Two strikes…
I pressed my tongue to the roof of my mouth. No. No! The odds were too high. Astronomical. Jasher’s beloved sibling hadn’t died by being crushed under a building brought here by tornado. So there was no need to mention it. No need to risk incurring his anger. His blame. Punishment.
He stood, a tower of muscle and might as usual. “We tell no one of your potential connection to the former royals. Understand? Others might assume you’re here to reclaim power.”
As if I would ever wish to live in this land. “I understand,” I assured him, grateful.
He lifted his chin. “Take the bed and get some rest. Tomorrow will be a busy day.” A few steps took him to the couch, where he stretched out, leaving me baffled by his kindness.
“But you paid for the room. You should enjoy the bed.”
“Your pet is cozy, and I have no wish to cuddle a rabdog.” He patted his stubbled cheek. “I like my face.”
That made two of us. But he wasn’t wrong about the rabdog. Nugget was indeed cozy. And he was my pet, wasn’t he? Somehow, I would find a way to bring him home with me. He’d have plenty of room to run and play on the farm, without fear of being spotted.
“Thank you, Jasher. For everything.”
“You are welcome.” His gruff tone did strange, wonderful things to my insides.
I rose and padded to the bed to curl up beside Nugget. The furball awoke briefly, licked my neck, yawned, and snuggled into my warmth. Almost content for the first time since my impromptu trip, I whispered, “Goodnight.”
A pause. Then, “Goodnight. Princess.”
Something warm and wet brushed my cheek, luring me from a dead sleep. I blinked open my eyes to find Nugget sitting up, grinning down at me. Happiness radiated from his perfect face. Aw.
Reaching out, I scratched him behind his ears. Whoa! He’d gotten bigger. I jolted upright and looked him over. He’d doubled in size. At least! No doubt he weighed over twenty pounds now. Goodness. Carry him for miles? Not without wanting to cut off my arms.
“You must be hungry.” I certainly was.
I threw my legs over the side of the bed and padded to the couch. Hmm. No sign of Jasher. His bag was gone, too. Frowning, I searched for any indication of his presence. If he’d ditched me…
A note! I rushed to the dresser and swiped up the piece of paper.
Food for you and the mutt waits in the cabinet. Eat and join me downstairs. J
His penmanship surprised me, though it shouldn’t have. It was exactly like him. No nonsense, bold, and sharp.
All but drooling, I opened the cabinet door and discovered what might be biscuits and sausage gravy, plus another bowl of meat and a pitcher of milk. I fed Nugget before relocating to the table, pleased to find Jasher had cleared away last night’s dishes. How domesticated of the forever bachelor.
As I ate, my mind drifted to my mother. A topic I’d struggled to hold at bay throughout the night. Though the rawness hadn’t dulled, I was going to have to untangle a few details if I hoped to experience peace. I wouldn’t do a deep dive, setting myself up for another onslaught of confusion and frustration. I’d just take a small dip into the shallow end.