Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 139662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 698(@200wpm)___ 559(@250wpm)___ 466(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 698(@200wpm)___ 559(@250wpm)___ 466(@300wpm)
I set my jaw. “Sebastian didn’t exactly enter into it under honest pretenses.”
“And you think there’s some exceptions clause allowing you out of it because he deceived you?” Finn finally turns away from me and strolls to the railing. “You have so much to learn about this world, Princess.”
Of all the pompous, condescending bullshit—
I turn to leave but stop, my back to the stars. “Don’t confuse ignorance for naivety, Finn. I’m no longer the foolish girl who could be so confused by physical attraction and pretty words.”
“I’m sure Sebastian will be more than happy to put that theory to the test.”
I look over my shoulder. He’s studying me like he wishes he could get into my mind. “I was talking about you.”
He swallows. “Be ready to leave before dawn,” he says. “It will a long day.”
Chapter Thirteen
The moment Finn materializes in the Unseelie throne room, Riaan grabs him from behind and puts his sword to the shadow prince’s neck. “Tell me why I shouldn’t slice you open right here and right now.”
Finn’s goblin disappears in a blink, and I stay in the shadows, just as we planned. This morning, we rode our horses through the portal and into the Unseelie capital. While Misha, Pretha, and the others helped transport the children to infirmaries in the city, Finn’s goblin brought Finn and me straight to the palace throne room.
I scan the room now. Sebastian’s on the dais, narrowed eyes on his half brother and Riaan, but the large room is otherwise empty.
Finn smiles. He doesn’t even try to evade Sebastian’s sentinel, even though he could. I’ve seen him evade attack after attack when he trains with Jalek. He could’ve had Riaan on his back without so much as touching his magic. Instead, he remains entirely still as Riaan presses the blade into his neck. The only movement is from his cold, silver eyes as they lift to meet Sebastian’s. “I believe he’s waiting for your order,” Finn drawls.
“I’m hoping,” Sebastian says, “that it won’t come to that.”
Finn’s brows arch and he laughs. “Really?”
“Riaan, put away your blade.”
The male’s nostrils flare, and he tugs Finn’s head back for a moment—as if he might disobey his prince and slice Finn’s neck open anyway—but then he thrusts a knee into the shadow prince’s back, shoving him forward as he releases him.
Finn’s all grace on his feet and doesn’t even stumble. He simply strolls up the steps toward Sebastian. “It appears you’ve found yourself in a bit of a dilemma with the natives,” Finn says, glancing toward the bank of windows that line the side of the throne room.
All I can see from my perch in the corner is a sunny morning, but we all know that hordes of unhappy shadow fae wait beyond the gates. I could hear them protesting when we came through the portal.
“It’s a temporary dilemma,” Sebastian says. “Once I sit on this throne, they’ll accept me.”
Folding his arms, Finn rocks back on his heels. His smile is anything but cheerful. This is the smile of a male promising death to anyone who hurts those he loves. It’s the smile of an exiled prince who had his only chance at the throne stolen from him. “I’m delighted to hear you have a solution,” Finn says. “Though I’m curious what it could be.”
“You think I’m going to tell you?”
Finn shrugs. “I’m just thinking it through. You know the power won’t shift to you if you murder your princess, and now that you’ve made her immortal, you can’t count on her dying naturally anytime soon.” Finn cocks his head to the side. “Perhaps you’re hoping she’ll choose to join our elders at a remarkably young age and pass the power off to you that way. Perhaps you’re counting on her love for you being strong enough to overcome the fact that you lied to her and manipulated her to get that crown . . .” He studies his nails for a beat and hums softly, as if he’s thinking this possibility over. “Of course, that plan would rely on her forgiving you, and if I remember correctly, she’s sworn she won’t.”
Sebastian lunges forward and shoves Finn, palms flat against his chest. Again, Finn doesn’t even stumble. Sebastian and Riaan are boys, I realize. They’re children compared with Finn. Amateurs drawn into a game of chess with a master. “I have advisors,” Sebastian growls, his teeth clenched. “They’re working to find a solution that won’t harm Abriella.”
Finn laughs. “So when you say you have a plan, what you really mean is you’re hoping your advisors will come up with a plan. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it, what would’ve happened if you’d told her the truth back when you were painting me as the villain?”
Sebastian roars, and darkness creeps up the walls and the floor quakes.