Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 128374 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128374 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
“How is hiding my scar protecting me?”
He stiffens, then shakes his head. “I meant the Barghest attack.”
But did he?
“Has he gotten you to change your mind about becoming his queen yet?”
“No. Why do you assume I will?”
“Because you’re in love with him.”
“What does one have to do with the other?” I form a soft ball of shadow in my hand and throw it at his chest.
He grabs it and holds it in the palm of his hand before setting it spinning. “Typically, when you love someone like that, you find a way to be with them.”
“Once he realizes that I’ve been stealing from him, I’m pretty sure he’s not going to want me anyway.”
The spinning ball of shadow disintegrates. “Ah. So the truth is revealed. It’s not that you don’t want to be with him. It’s that you think he can’t forgive you for what you’re doing to save your sister.”
“Why are you pushing this? Do you want me to be his queen?”
“I don’t want any surprises,” he bites out, standing and heading to the door. “Pretha will escort you back to the palace.”
“Why don’t you ever use your magic?” I blurt before he can leave.
He turns slowly back to me and cocks his head to the side, making one of those dark curls fall in his eyes. “I use my magic.”
“I’ve never seen it.”
“My gifts are not meant for your entertainment, Princess.”
I roll my eyes. I understand his response for what it is—an evasion. Finn has no desire to reveal why he doesn’t use his powers. And why would he? If, for some reason, he truly isn’t able to use them, that would be an incredible weakness. One that could get him killed if his enemies found out.
I still can’t help but think it has something to do with his father’s crown and the wrong male ruling the Court of the Moon.
“Finn, you deserve to be on that throne. Once I find my sister and get her home safely, I’d like to help you find your father’s crown.”
He steps back, eyes flashing. He opens his mouth, and I think he’s going to scold me, but he snaps it shut again, then turns on his heel and storms from the library.
His wolves rise from where they were sleeping, and I swear there’s disgust in their eyes as they look at me before following their master.
I sink into a chair and swallow back tears. I want to help, but they don’t trust me enough to let me. Sure, I’m gathering the relics that will supposedly help his kingdom in the long run, but I’m being kept in the dark about so much, I don’t even understand how that will help.
I pull out the mirror and stare at my reflection. I’ve known that the crown was missing, so why did I never think to ask the mirror?
Because you can’t trust it.
But sometimes it’s right. And maybe this will be one of those times.
“Show me King Oberon’s crown,” I say softly. But the image in the glass doesn’t change, and no matter how many times I ask, I remain staring at my own reflection.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“GUESS WHO’S BACK AT THE PALACE and asking to see you?” Emmaline teases me as she brushes my hair.
I turn to look into her big blue eyes. “Sebastian?”
I had returned to the palace yesterday afternoon, but when I found out that Sebastian had been gone since Litha, I began to worry—that he’d been hurt, that he’d somehow discovered that I’d freed his prisoner, that he knew I was staying with Finn. No one knew where he was, and my mind was more than happy to supply me with terrible possibilities, however unlikely, paranoid, and self-absorbed they may have been.
Emmaline grins. “Yes, of course Sebastian. He asked that we tell you he’ll be coming by your room after sunset and he’d like to go on a walk.” The way she squeals, you’d think walk was code for something much more scandalous.
“Did he seem . . . excited to see me or serious?”
I watch Tess in the mirror over my vanity as she makes my bed. “Seriously excited,” she says with a wink.
Okay, so he’s not angry. It’s a start—especially since I know where the book is and need to ask him another favor.
“How much of Faerie have you seen during your time with the queen?” I ask Emmaline.
Emmaline smiles as she twists my hair back from my face. “We serve the Seelie Court, so we go where they go.” She frowns at the short lock of hair at the base of my neck. “I wish I could get my hands on the incompetent drudge who cut your hair.”
“I told you it was an accident,” I say, dodging her usual complaint. “Just leave the back down and it won’t show. So does the queen have other palaces?”