Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 162269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 541(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 162269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 541(@300wpm)
Neither my husband nor I moved.
Then Aramus did.
To speak.
“Can you take things with you?” Aramus veritably barked. “Weapons? Supplies?”
“If it is carried on your person, yes,” Jorie answered.
“Do you need to pack?” Aramus went on.
Jorie looked down to his attractive, but decidedly Mer trousers which were all he was wearing, then back to us.
When he did, he grinned.
I preferred bald, bulky, marked and midnight, like my husband.
But smiling, Jorie was not difficult on the eyes.
“I have a feeling I’ll be found out as Mer if I don’t at least change,” he jested.
“Go, now, then follow us,” Aramus ordered. “We’ll leave word at the castle you’re to be treated like a king until my wife and I can attend you. We will not take long, however, and then we shall be away.”
“Well I hope they treat me like a king, since I am one,” Jorie retorted.
Aramus didn’t bother to reply.
He looked down at me.
“Let’s go home, baby. It’s time.”
I nodded, guiding him to the edge of the water.
Before I led us in, I halted as my husband spoke.
“It was an unusual start,” he called to Jorie and got the other king’s attention. “But from here on, Jorie, King of the Mer, you have my vow to ally our kingdoms for the good of all who make a home in or by the sea.”
Well, that was well said.
Pride swelled in my chest.
Jorie dipped his chin into his neck.
Aramus dipped his into his neck.
And then, I led my husband into the water so I could take us home.
126
The Legends
Queen Farah
Base of the Night Heights Mountain Range
AIREN
“I cannot begin to explain how, at this juncture, a renegade witch with an untrained army running amuck in my realm might do irrevocable damage to a mission we both share that it is crucial, in going about it, we find victory,” Cassius stated to the woman standing before him, and he did this through gritted teeth.
I stood by my husband who, I noted after a sidelong glance, agreed with Cass for he did not appear as angry as Cassius, but I could see he was not happy.
“Rest assured, Fern has the best interest of this mission at heart, my prince,” the woman, her name Elsa, replied.
“I’m fully aware of that,” Cassius retorted. “That is not at issue. At issue is the renegade part of my earlier statement.”
Elsa looked uncomfortable.
“Where is she?” Cassius demanded.
“I am not in the know of that,” Elsa answered.
“It’s my understanding you’re her ranking general here,” Cass replied.
“Her mission is top secret,” Elsa shared.
“From her Regent?” Cass bit out.
“Sire—” she began.
“Find out where she is. Find out what she’s doing. And report it to me,” he clipped. “We are at war, Elsa. As such, I am not only your Regent, I’m your commanding, gods-damned officer. And there is one thing I do not countenance in my troops. Going rogue.”
Elsa stared up at Cassius in shock before her face split into an enormous smile.
For a moment, I did not understand her reaction.
And then it struck me she was delighted to be considered, and treated, as a soldier.
“Right away, sir,” she stated crisply.
“Dismissed,” Cassius muttered.
She nodded, began to curtsy, stopped herself, instead saluted, and hurried away on her booted feet, wearing trousers, and it was a ridiculous notion on my part in that moment, but she made me want a pair of trousers.
Cass turned to True and I, as well as Mars and Silence, who were standing with us.
“They had three hundred and twenty-two women here. They lost three yesterday,” Cassius said. “Bloody three.”
“You did say they entered the battle closer to the end,” Mars noted.
“All told, we stood approximately fifteen hundred against twelve thousand. And they lost only three,” Cassius returned, and I knew his comment was not about disappointment (obviously), but surprise…and respect.
“Apparently, one must not underestimate the concept of right equaling might,” my husband murmured.
“Three dead, True. But one hundred and seven were injured,” Cass told him.
“I will assign Luther to them,” True offered. “They’re motivated and they’re organized. If they hone their skills, they could be formidable.”
Cassius appeared to think for a moment, before he replied, “This might appeal to Nero. He needs something to turn his mind. He can work with Luther.”
True nodded.
Mars broke in.
“This is a good idea, but in the now, we must decide the course for us all,” Mars said. “With your warriors, you and Elena heading to The Enchantments, mine coming up from Firenze to do the same, resources would be too concentrated there if True’s men and mine accompanied you.”
“I’ve called for more men from Wodell to go to Sky Bay. I can take Farah and Silence and we’ll add to your numbers there,” True put in. “Mars and his men can go with you, Cass.”
“Lahn shared that things had deteriorated in Dunlyn, and reports from my men verify it. I sense it might be a stronghold. Aramus has sent ships there and—”