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)
“Oh my gosh.”
“Very unfortunate, yes. Anyway, when I was young, I was such a diehard romantic,” she says, smiling. “However, I was a queen in training, so my father didn’t approve of my romantic antics. He wanted me to be strong and resilient, to not waste time on boys unless I was ready to find a king…which I still haven’t done, by the way.” She waves a hand. “Despite his disapproval, I would write letters to random boys in the city. None of them were personalized, they were just letters, and I’d walk to the city on weekends and hand them to the boys I found most handsome.”
“Really?” I laugh.
“Yes. Oh, the boys got a kick out of that one. Here they all were, thinking the princess of Vanora wanted to marry them one day.” She titters, rocking a bit, her pearly teeth sparkling. “But one day when I was in the city, I gave my letter to a boy who was unlike the others. He had the most beautiful brown eyes, and his skin was so pretty—like it was made of ground coffee. He was a stunning human, and he took my letter and ran to his mum. His mum smiled at me, and then a man stepped up beside her. And…I didn’t know it back then, but this couple had a Cold Tether. I could feel their energy from so far away. And the way they looked at each other, the way they held hands, the way they did everything together—it fascinated me. Their love was colossal, and I remember thinking I wanted a love like that. I wanted a man to love me with all his heart. I wanted someone I could have beautiful brown babies with, with bright brown eyes. When I put a read on that couple, I was overwhelmed with joy. It’s hard to explain the joy I felt that day, but if I had to describe it, I would say it was the sun, moon, and stars all wrapped up in a cool bed of flowers, somehow blossoming inside me.”
“Wow,” I murmur. “That’s beautiful, Alora.”
“It is. And everyone in the city loved that couple. They were gifted. The man built swords and shields for the people, and the woman was very good at designing custom dresses for women. I recall her dress making skills being very popular for Armistice Night.”
“What’s Armistice Night?”
“It’s the one night in Vakeeli when all territories agree to get along. There’s a big ball in Luxor, everyone from all walks of life attend, and for one night there are no feuds or fighting or wars. There is only dancing, laughter, peace, drinking…and sex. Love of Vakeeli, is there a lot of sex.” Alora laughs a bit, shaking her head, then her face changes beneath the moonlight, saddening, her lips twisting. “But one day…that couple was found just outside of Vanora’s gates. Their faces were hollow, eyes black, mouths ajar. The beauty and joy were gone. Someone had killed them.” She works hard to swallow. “Or something, rather.” Her eyes flicker up to mine. “The downfall of a Cold Tether is that you’re hunted for that beautiful joy you share. I’m not sure what it is that hunts you, but what I do know is that you and Caspian have a Tether that is just as strong as that couple who once lived in my city, whether you like each other or not. And I have a feeling once you give in to this Tether, it will be stronger than theirs, which will make it all the more beautiful to witness for me, but much easier for the malevolent to find you.”
I clutch my glass tight in hand, lowering my gaze. “Well, we shouldn’t have to worry about that. There’s no giving in to a man like him.”
Alora smirks. “Do you think so? Because I see him burning bridges for you.”
I scoff. “Trust me, he hates me. He wants me gone and, frankly, I’m ready to go back home.”
“Are you, though?” She tilts her head, locking eyes with me. She searches my face, and it makes me uncomfortable, especially remembering she can read my energy. She knows I’m lying.
“I mean…it would be nice to get to know the person I’m somehow connected to, but he makes it hard to do that.”
“Sure, he’s a hard man to figure out, but don’t let that fool you. He’s your Tether, and whether he cares to admit it or not, he feels something for you. He can’t quite explain it yet, as these feelings are new to him, but he does. A Tether of any kind is inevitable. I’ve been conducting business with Caspian for years and never have I seen him look at a woman the way he looks at you.”
“He hardly looks at me, your majesty.”