Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
I always thought it was bullshit, but I see it now, as I sit in front of a large bonfire. There is nothing but women and children around, all chatting, laughing, and eating. I’ve been offered vegetable kabobs and wine, but I can’t stomach a damn thing because Willow is still in the Wellness Bay. She hasn’t woken up, though I’ve been informed that they’ve ridden her of Decius’ energy. And Garrett is currently wrapped in chains Hassha has touched that will soon rid him of Decius’ control. She still has no plans for what she’ll do when he’s clear, and that alone irritates me.
I feel eyes on me and look to my right, spotting the twin girls and Carra sitting between them. Minka shoots up and rushes toward me. Carra reaches to stop her, but she isn’t quick enough. The other girl pops up too, and Carra gives up, shaking her head and leaning against the log behind her.
“Milandra says we shouldn’t trust you,” Minka tells me matter-of-factly. “She says you’re a man, and all men only want one thing.”
“And let me guess. Milandra is that large woman standing beside your mother, still wearing her armor, and holding her sword?” My eyes flicker to Milandra, who already has her eyes pinned on me. She’s the woman who shoved me when I had Willow in my arms. I won’t lie, she’s not a woman I’d pick a fight with. She’s enormous, probably bigger than Killian. And there’s a menacing look in her eyes, like she’d strip me of all my skin and use my bones for a stew.
“Yep. She’s our godmother,” Minka goes on. “She told us not to talk to you.”
I smirk. “You’re being quite rebellious then.”
Minka shrugs and smiles, then points a thumb at Maia. “This is Maia. She pretends to be shy, but she told me she thinks you’re very handsome.”
“Minka!” Maia wails, shoving Minka on the arm. Minka hardly stumbles and instead laughs, finding her embarrassment humorous. Maia’s face turns as red as a ruby as she backs away, avoiding my eyes.
“Well, I’m glad someone around here likes me in some way,” I say, pointing my gaze to Maia. She smiles, her face still red. “No sense in bothering with a man like me, though. You’re better off looking for someone the opposite of me as you get older.” If only she knew. Too bad her tiny mind can’t comprehend it.
Her silver eyes drop to the gun on my lap, and I pick it up. As I do, Milandra takes a giant step away from Hassha’s throne, raising her sword. I ignore her, showing the gun to Maia anyway. If she wanted my head, she’d have it already.
“Ever seen a Blackwater gun?” I ask.
“No,” Maia quips.
“They’re quite dangerous. Probably not as dangerous as your Kessel weapons though.”
“That’s right,” Minka says, arms folding. “My mum always says real weapons are those made from scratch and graced with Regal energy. Not man-made things like yours.”
“Is that what your weapons are then? Graced with Regal energy?”
“Yes, all of them are.” Minka whips out her sword for the second time today, and I’ll be damned. She’s good with it, swinging it all sorts of ways and throwing jabs at invisible enemies. She draws back, her hand stuck out to show me the blade. “One cut of our blades and you’ll easily die.”
“What if you cut yourself?” I ask.
“It won’t kill us. Only our enemies. Our weapons are bonded to us as we age.”
“I see.”
I shift my gaze to Milandra who has lowered her guard, only a bit, and only because Hassha has pressed a hand to her shoulder.
“So, is that woman in Wellness Bay your wife?” Minka asks. “Maia wanted me to ask.”
Maia goes rosy again, and this time she punches Minka in the arm. I can’t help the chuckle that escapes me. These girls, they’re adorable…and so innocent. I haven’t encountered anyone like them in ages. So young and carefree, living their lives and doing what siblings do best: pick fights with each other. How nice it must be to not have to worry about things you can’t control, like abuse from a father, or your mother being tortured and murdered.
“She not my wife, no, but she is my mate. I’m Tethered to her,” I inform them.
“Isn’t a Tether a bad thing?” Maia asks in a soft voice.
I start to answer, but someone approaches them from behind. Hassha places a gentle hand on their shoulders, bowing her head to drop kisses on the tops of their heads. “It’s time for bed.”
“What?” Minka whines. “No! Can we stay up a little longer? Pleeeasseeee, Mum!”
“Pleaseeeee?” Maia clasps her hands together, begging too.
“I’m afraid not, my loves. Come on, run to Carra. Get to bed.”
“Yes, Mum,” the girls say in unison. They walk around their mother to meet with Carra who is already standing near a trail. Carra takes their hands and guides them along the trail leading to overwater bungalows.