Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 116396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
I watched him from the side, watched my husband assume the role of king immediately. He hadn’t acted kingly when we met, but he now stepped into the spotlight like it was in his blood. He had his mother’s silent authority. Possessed an innate honor that everyone could see and feel.
I’d never been prouder to be his wife.
Huntley finished his speech and stepped off the platform. His eyes locked on mine for a brief moment then he walked away with his men to organize the army before our early departure in the morning.
I looked back at the crowd, seeing the effect he had on everyone already.
I knew his father would have been proud if he could have seen this moment.
I knew his mother would be too.
I sat alone in the bedchamber, Huntley gone all day working. While I’d offered to help, I had no experience with military strategy, so I’d probably just get in the way. I could hack and saw in battle, fire an arrow cleanly through an eye, but that was it.
You haven’t been down to see me.
My eyes flicked to the window, seeing the shadow of the enormous dragon in the distance. “I can hear you. Can you hear me?” For a second, I felt like a crazy person talking to myself. If Huntley walked in, he would think I was mad.
I can hear your words from your mind.
I tried to talk without speaking aloud. Can you hear me now?
Yes.
Whoa… So we could speak and nobody would know.
Yes.
Sorry, Pyre. Things have been busy at the castle. We’re leaving tomorrow.
I assumed so, based on all the movements. The soldiers are like ants on a hill.
His voice comforted me in the silence, like having your best friend right beside you. I wished we could be together more, but because of his size, he couldn’t fit inside the castle or behind the gates.
I want to finish this quickly.
I do too. But I think we have a long road ahead of us. Once we take the Kingdoms, we have to take Necrosis…and that may take a while.
Yes.
The door opened, and Huntley stormed inside. I could tell it was important based on the way he barged in and headed straight toward me.
We’ll talk later, Pyre. I rose to my feet and looked my husband in the eye, knowing something had gone wrong. He didn’t break down doors and get in my face like this, otherwise. “What happened?”
He handed me the scroll. “This just arrived by falcon. It’s from Ryker.”
My hand shook as I took it. “It’s not good news…”
Huntley stared for a while before he gave a subtle shake of his head.
“Is he okay?” I unrolled the scroll and looked at my brother’s scribble.
“He’s fine. We’re the ones in deep shit.”
I started to read.
Ivory,
Yeah…I’ve got some shitty news. Rutherford is just a puppet. Necrosis is running the show. The main guy goes by the name Haldir. He’s got a few men with him, one woman. I’ve been to the Capital many times, but I never spotted this guy in the castle, so this has obviously been a secret until now.
Oh, it gets worse.
Now that Haldir knows the dragons are in Minora, he’s going to destroy HeartHolme in your absence. He said he’ll leave after Regar arrives.
Who’s Regar, you ask?
Oh, just a big-ass fucking dragon with black wings. Rutherford asked to borrow him from King Dunbar. I didn’t realize dragons existed, let alone could be put on loan.
So…we’re totally fucked. You better hurry your asses up and attack the Capital before the dragon gets here. Maybe divide your forces between Supertine and Eagleton? Conquer both at the same time and immediately move for the Capital.
In regard to HeartHolme, I have no idea what to do. May the gods bless their souls…
Don’t write back.
-Ryker
PS: Effie says hello. Oh, and she’s my wife now. Long story.
I lowered the scroll and stared into Huntley’s steady eyes. “Shit…”
His features were calm on the outside, but I knew an inferno raged within him. “Ryker’s right. We need to divide our forces. I take Supertine. You take Eagleton.”
“You want us to split up?”
“You’ll have the dragons. I’ll take Supertine the old-fashioned way.”
“I still don’t like the idea of us splitting up…”
“I don’t either, baby. But we’re racing the clock now. I can’t let one of my commanders conquer a city in my name. The Rolfes do their own dirty work.” His blue eyes watched me for a while, taking in my look. “I have complete confidence in you. The second you arrive with those dragons, they’ll surrender. Kill the duke and take charge. Once I’m done with Supertine, I’ll pick you up on the way.”
It still didn’t feel right. “We’ve been separated before, and I don’t want to go through that again.”
He studied me again, harder and deeper. “If you’re afraid, then you can stay with me.”