Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 110080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
She who? Ophelia, Halo’s mate? Taliyah?
“Erebus is overdue a spanking.” Ian stretched his fingers, as if warming up for the job. “He sent another phantom with a message to my quarters, confirming her location.”
Long ago, Chaos had chosen Ian to be the first leader of the Astra. A wise move. His abilities were awe-inspiring and vast. But he’d failed to sacrifice his bride during the original blessing task, welcoming the curse, and heralding the death of several Astra. After that, he’d lost his rank.
Just how many phantoms had Erebus snuck inside the palace? Why had no one informed Roux more had come?
All three males regarded him with something akin to worry.
“What?” he demanded, unable to tolerate the curiosity a moment longer. “If you doubt my ability to prove victorious, do not.” It was the worst insult they could lob at him.
He might have his share of problems. The prisoners in his mind. Their screams. Bouts of blankness and madness. His utter hatred of physical contact. His unusual obsession with a black-haired, blue-eyed harphantom who rightfully despised him. But. Never had he failed these men; never would he. Roux had always—would always—cross any line to protect them.
“We have no doubt you will succeed,” the Commander stated. “But there’s a problem. Blythe found a path into Ation.”
Hearing her name spoken aloud sent a jolt through him, making his spine go ramrod straight. This explained why she hadn’t dropped by today’s tea for kidneys at least.
“How?” he demanded.
“Erebus, I’m sure. I suspect she means to challenge you at every turn, impeding your victory however possible.”
Enjoy your last days. I’m coming for you.
He worked his jaw. “Are you ordering me to kill your gravita’s beloved sister?” And if so, how was Roux to respond? He had never hesitated to follow a directive but he wasn’t sure he could murder Isla’s sole remaining parent in cold blood. Or hot blood. Never again scent that sweet mix of honeysuckle and rose?
Stiffness spread through him, making his body feel as hard as granite.
“I am not.” Roc scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’m asking you to let her live, no matter what vile deeds she commits against you. When you return with the queen, I’d like a living, breathing Blythe to be with you. Taliyah won’t forgive me if harm comes to her sibling.”
Relief poured through him. “It shall be as you have requested.”
“If she’s injured along the way,” the Commander added, “find a way to heal her. Because she lost her mate, she’ll be unable to use blood as medicine. Bloodfruit doesn’t help her. She can’t keep it down.”
A complication he hadn’t considered. Mated harpies sickened when they drank from anyone but their consort, forcing widows to rely on a tree-grown blood substitute.
Perhaps Blythe required something stronger than fruit? She was a royal born of the gods who’d birthed phantoms and snakeshifters. “What of soul?” Did she vomit that, too?
“I don’t know. Taliyah tells me as little as possible of her sisters.”
No matter. “I will do whatever proves necessary.” Words he meant with every fiber of his being. Now, on to business before he got lost in thoughts of the harphantom. “What do you know of Ation’s terrain?”
“Ophelia shared the rumors she’s heard throughout the years,” Halo said. “Ation is supposedly like Earth, with mountains, plains, deserts, oceans, and forests. The seasons differ in different locations. Night replaces day and day replaces night. But beware of the monsters beneath the ground.”
Monsters? No big deal. “When do I leave?”
“Today,” Roc said, surprising him. “You’ll need to take any supplies with you. I’m told you’ll be able to flash into the realm as well as throughout it, but you won’t be able to leave. You’ll be completely cut off from other worlds, unable to communicate with us.” The Commander glanced at the clock behind Roux. “You have one hour to prepare.”
“Just in a couple of minutes.” Roux remained at the ready.
With only a thought, he summoned a backpack, weapons, all-terrain gear, gold, and anything else he might need, teleporting each item atop the conference table. Then, he strapped the sword, daggers, whip, bow, and quiver of arrows to his body and stuffed the rest inside the backpack.
A solo dagger possessed a trinite blade. There was no reason to cart in an entire arsenal comprised of the single substance able to kill the harphantom. At the same time, he must be prepared for the worst.
Lifting his chin, he met the Commander’s gaze. “I’m ready.”
6
THE CALM
Blythe stumbled across a sunlit expanse of soft grass and sharp stones, regretting her foolishness, and missing her daughter. She’d walked for hours with no end in sight. Earlier, Penelope had drained her so completely, she’d been unable to fight as the wraith stripped her out of her uniform and boots and forced her into a ridiculously sheer white nightgown. The plunging neckline displayed ample cleavage and really made her new wrist shackles pop.