Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 132582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
“This covers Willow as well?”
“Yes.” Calista rises, her cloak swimming down to her ankles. “Please enjoy your stay at the Luxor Inn,” she says as Arie hops out of his chair and scatters out of the room. “Our driver will take you back down to the town. We have rooms ready for you and your guest and any food or drink you want is on the house. And no, Caz, the food and drinks are not poisoned. The last thing we want is a roll of bread ending a chosen man’s life. We’ve waited far too long to let that ruin it.”
“I feel I should be honored.” I stand, fixing my coat. “We’ll be going now.”
A smile from Calista. “Of course.”
Killian is already across the room, making his way to the closed doors.
As I walk his way, Vassilis says, “There’s one thing you should consider, Harlow.” I turn to look at him. “If you don’t keep your promise, or you pull back on your word, there will be consequences. And I’m certain one of them will involve that pretty little mate of yours.”
I look him in the eye and my jaw ticks as he sits there, reveling in his threat. The urge to pull my gun out is intense and as badly as I’d love to pop a bullet in his skull and be done with him, I keep my hands at my side and draw in a breath, exhaling.
“I am a man of my word,” I inform him. “But let me be clear about something. If you ever use my mate as a threat again, I’ll rip those shiny eyes out of your fucking head and shove them down your throat.”
Vassilis smirks, his eyes glowing, a stark silver in the dimly lit room.
“Caz. Let’s go.” Killian grips my shoulder, urging me to move. I stare Vassilis in the eyes a moment longer, envisioning what it would be like to wrap my hands around his throat to strangle him. It would satisfy the hell out of me, but now isn’t the time, so I turn away, leaving.
Seventy-Four
WILLOW
I step out of the car in front of Alora’s palace and raise my hands above my head to stretch, glad we’ve finally made it. Night has fallen, the sun nowhere in sight. The stars twinkle in the indigo sky, the moon a sweet crescent.
We’re taken up to the palace by one of Alora’s guards, and when she sees us, seated on her throne in a red dress, she smiles.
“Welcome back, my Blackwater friends.”
“Thank you for having us again, your majesty,” Maeve says, giving a slight bow. “Will we be seeing Beatrix tonight?”
“Ah, if only. I was unaware that tonight is the night Beatrix hunts for food and berries. She does it once a week—it’s a Mythic thing, so she won’t be home until tomorrow night, I’m afraid.”
“Oi, I’m not sure if we have that much time,” Maeve sighs. “Is there any way you can request for her to come back sooner?”
“I try not to disrupt Beatrix during her hunting.” Alora walks down the golden steps from her throne. “As a Mythic, hunting is how she restores her energy. You know how it is for them—they stick to their old ways. If she does her hunting unbothered, she’ll be more inclined to see us tomorrow.”
“Are we to stay here again, then?” Juniper asks, looking around.
“I would prefer it. I apologize, but after what happened in Iron Class last time, I’ll need everyone from Blackwater to remain in the palace.”
“Understandable.” Maeve eyes Juniper. “Is that understood, Juniper?”
“Fine,” Juniper mutters.
“Shall we break open some wine, then?” Alora’s eyes light up.
She leads us to one of the balconies on the second floor. Tables that face the ocean are set up, fairy lights draped from column to column, and a bar is already set up with drinks. A man in a gold suit stands behind it, prepping glasses, and ready to serve. Juniper and Maeve go straight for the bar, and Rowan slumps down in a chair, sighing as he rests the back of his head on it.
I take a seat at the table closest to the edge of the balcony, with the best view of the water. I attempt to tap in with Caz, but all my words bounce back. He’s blocking me out right now, which means he’s probably with The Council. He did say he’d have to block me once he was in Luxor. He doesn’t trust them with his thoughts and doesn’t want them knowing about our Tether. The people of Luxor are different, so I’ve been told. They’re much more calculating.
Alora has a small band come to the balcony to play music. The band’s instruments consist of a harp, a violin, and something that looks like a guitar, but is much wider and has way more strings. It’s nice outside, a warm, gentle breeze going, and a part of me wishes Caz were here too. I hope he’s okay.