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)
“You killed all the trappers, right?”
“Those who tracked us, yes,” he replied.
“Is anyone else tracking us?”
“Not currently.”
“So we’re safe?”
“Never.”
“Do you—“
“Enough.” His flat command finally quieted her.
Amid the silence, I got lost in my thoughts. Facts I’d been previously unable to process demanded consideration. Daniel Shaker wasn’t my biological father. He’d comprehended that truth, surely. My mother would’ve been noticeably pregnant when they met. And yet, he’d never mentioned the lack of a biological tie to me. Never even hinted at it.
My good hand balled. Why had most of the people in this land despised King Ahav and Queen Sandrine, royals who’d been “great” and “kind,” according to Greta? What did the prophecy that wasn’t a prophecy have to do with them? And it must connect to the pair. Why else would the old woman point me in this direction? Critical details were missing from the story. Jasher must know more than he’d admitted.
I wondered if the shadow ring on my finger represented the royal seal. But how did it sense danger and flood me with strength at critical junctures?
Hey! We had deviated from Dead Man’s Pass again. Why?
“—need to rest before I die,” a huffing Leona was saying as I pulled myself from my head. “That’s not too much to give a girl…if you’ve got a heart.”
Jasher remained silent, stoic and didn’t slow. Okay, so, he was in a mood. I didn’t bother asking my question.
Leona sniffled. “How can you be so cruel to me? I just lost my only home, my few friends. My very purpose!”
Been there. I almost—almost—felt sorry for her.
Still Jasher marched on. Nugget returned, chasing a rodent.
Light faded as evening approached. Just when darkness arrived in full force, we came to a majestic section of the forest with huge glowing mushrooms and purple flowers with glittering petals. Tree branches had grown together, forming a row of arches. A narrow river flowed gently at our right.
The beauty wowed me, which meant one thing. Dangerous. I stiffened, waiting for a new threat to appear. Minutes passed without a burn in my finger to signal genuine peril. Dare I believe we were safe?
“We’ll stop here for the night,” Jasher announced, dropping his pack.
Well, okay then. Guess he agreed with the ring. “I approve.”
The executioner dug a fire pit. I gathered sticks.
Not Her Highness, Queen Leona. “I’m starved,” she said, flicking her hair over her shoulder and sitting with the grace of a sovereign, her expression pinched and easy to read. Give me my supper, peasants.
“Then go foraging.” As the fire blazed, I poured Nugget a bowl of milk provided by Jasher, courtesy of Greta. Once the dog drank his fill, he settled in at my side near the warmth of the flames. He fell asleep, snoring softly.
“My skillset revolves around staying out of everyone’s way.” Leona batted her lashes with mock kindness. “You’re welcome.”
I looked to Jasher for help.
“I won’t be preparing a seven course meal.” He crouched nearby, busy riffling through the bag, revealing what else the old woman had packed. A bag of what looked to be carrots, potatoes and onions, plus a bunch of cookies wrapped in cloth I would be devouring at the first opportunity. There was also a small tin with mystery contents, two canteens of water, clean clothes, two thin blankets, a multi-use tool of some sort, and ten fist-size rocks.
As he removed the rocks, Jasher actually snickered.
Confusion set in, and I wrinkled my brow. “Do you usually carry around so many weights?”
“Greta likes to tease me about working harder.” He passed me and Leona a cookie. “There will be two courses. Dessert and soup.”
“Thank you, Jasher!” I snatched it up as fast as humanly possible, sinking my teeth into the treat. Oh, yes! The succulent taste of sugar thrilled every inch of my being.
The mayor shoveled the entire sweet into her mouth, crumbs falling out as she chewed.
“What’s in the tin?” I asked, attempting to savor the rest. In the end, I did just like the mayor and shoveled.
“Rain gear.”
Leona jackknifed to her feet, paling. “You’re expecting a storm?”
“I always expect a storm.” He searched my gaze for a long suspended moment, his irises heating. “But I’ll let nothing happen to you.”
Instant breathlessness. The urge to draw him struck hard and fast. First, though, I needed to trace my fingertips over his face to gain full knowledge of his peaks and hollows. I’d start with his lips. No way they were as soft as they appeared. I forced myself to look away.
“I’m not budging from this spot, so don’t go ripping each other’s clothes off,” Leona muttered, easing back down. “Or do. I’m bored and a distraction doesn’t sound half bad.”
He stiffened and stalked off, disappearing beyond a wall of foliage.
“You are the worst,” I snipped at her, giving chase. Nugget continued snoring.