Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 111252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
A tremble ran through Xiang as images from a very distant past flickered through his brain of a night so-called traitors met to discuss the future of the royal line. The night he’d killed his father.
The bite of hard fingers jerked Xiang from the bleak memories, and a bump against his shoulder had him looking up to see Kai’s concerned eyes moving over his face. Clenching his teeth, Xiang gave Kai a tiny nod to show that he was okay, and forced his attention to the present-day royal drama.
“Congratulations,” Rei called out, though there was a new flatness to his tone. “You’ve freed us both at last.”
“Have I, though?” Trin held out his free hand toward Aire. She stepped forward and placed a small square of cloth into his palm, which he used to wipe the blade clean of any spec of blood from his mother. “The line of ascension is very clear, and all our people know it. You’re the only living child born of King Ash and Queen Belladonna. You will always be their first choice to sit on the Dawn Throne.”
A scoff erupted from Rei’s throat. “Oh, yes. Let’s put the traitor and vampire lover on the throne to guide the fae people. That makes sense.” His snide expression hardened into a snarl. “I’ve told you I have no intention of taking the throne. Do you want me to renounce my right to rule officially? Fine.” Rei kicked his mother’s head aside and took a step forward, his arms raised above his head. “I, Wistari Elnaril Reymaris, Crown Prince of the Fae, son of King Ash and Queen Belladonna, hereby renounce any and all claim I have to rule over the many peoples of the fae nation. From this day forward, I am just a common elf with no home, no family, and no people to call my own.”
Trin tossed the scrap of cloth to the floor, his eyes on the sword. “Mn. Yes. Lovely,” he mumbled. He lowered the sword with a sharp swipe that sliced through the air and narrowed his gaze on his half brother. “However, we both know that our people pay more attention to blood than words. Besides, there’s something else that you said not all that long ago that has stuck with me.” The elf with the long, dark hair smiled as he shoved Kai’s sword into a sheath on his hip, drawing a low growl out of Xiang’s lover.
This was not going well at all. The death of Queen Belladonna was a plus, though Xiang would have loved to have killed the woman himself. Or at the very least, allowed Rei and Kai to have a go at ripping her apart for all the pain she caused them. Yet, by the same token, it appeared her illegitimate son had more than a few grievances as well. It was simply a matter of him getting to her first.
But now the threats had shifted to Rei, and Trin didn’t seem to have any interest in giving up the sword, which was a big problem for him and Kai.
Rei dropped his hands to his sides and retreated a step so that he was standing with Yichen yet again. “You’ll have to be more specific. You know how I love to run my mouth.”
“It was something to the extent that you would burn the Dawn and Twilight Thrones and replace them with the Onyx Throne. You would eliminate the Silver Court and raise up a new Blood Court. You would run the Black Dogs and the Dark Hunt ragged, chasing anyone who dared to mutter a word against you,” Trin recited.
Yichen’s head turned to gape at his mate. “Seriously? You said that?”
Rei winced, raising his shoulders up to his pointed ears. “Maybe. I was being dramatic. You know how my mouth gets away from me. I said that I’d do that if you were killed in a battle with my parents.” The elf paused for a heartbeat and straightened. “I think I’d still do that if something were to happen to you, though.”
“Rei, I don’t know whether to be horrified or touched,” Yichen murmured.
“I think you’re both fucking touched in the head,” Xiang grumbled. A soft gasp jerked Xiang’s gaze over his shoulder to see Kai staring at him with big, wounded eyes and a pouty bottom lip as if to say, “You wouldn’t burn down the world for me?”
Okay, I get it.
Yes, he would incinerate the world and destroy any number of governments to get revenge for someone hurting his mate. He was already standing in the fae stronghold, contemplating how he could take apart Rei’s brother just because he was holding Kai’s sword. Destroying the world wasn’t all that far off.
“As I was saying…” Trin raised his voice above their burble of conversation, reminding them he was supposed to be the center of attention. “You had part of a good idea, and I think I’m going to steal it, along with a few other things.”