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)
“Do you want me to come with you?” I ask as he takes a minor step back.
“No, no. Stay here with the girls…and Carra.” His eyes flicker to her again, but she’s in her own world, toying with my hair. “I’ll be right back.” He plants a kiss on my forehead before walking away.
I watch him go but can’t help sensing something else is going on with him. Whatever is on his mind, he has his wall up, so I can’t hear him.
“There. Pink, blue, and gold.” Minka captures my attention, walking around the table to place the necklace around my neck, but not without bumping Carra out of the way.
“Mind your manners, Minka. Love of Vakeeli,” Carra mutters.
Maia ambles around too, handing her pink, yellow, and white necklace to me.
I put it on then smile at the girls. “Thank you, ladies. They’re gorgeous.”
Chapter 47
CAZ
Truth is, I’m not looking for Hassha.
I don’t need a status update. It’s simply the women here. They’re extremely hands on, and I’m starting to feel the pain from touch again. I was hoping that wouldn’t return, but it has, and I felt it with Minka and Maia. Those girls, as kind as they are, are very handsy. I’d love to spend more time with them, truly, but I can only handle so much before the touch begins to burn and I become irritable. The last thing I want is for them to witness my irritation.
I leave the village, taking a winding footpath that leads to an overwater bridge. Vines hang from the bridge, wrapped around the thick rope and between the gaps of the planks.
Beyond the bridge is a russet mountain with a wide mouth that leads into a dark cave. A woman stands in front of the cave, a spear in hand, white paint on her olive face, and a single braid resting on her shoulder. She’s much taller than I am, with thick, muscular arms and legs. It’s her job to watch the cave, make sure the prisoner doesn’t escape and that no one enters. I only know because I found this cave last night, shortly after Willow had fallen asleep. I know she doesn’t want me killing Garrett, but everything inside me tells me to do it. That man doesn’t deserve her mercy, and he definitely doesn’t deserve mine.
“Is he awake yet?” I ask, approaching the guard. Her name is Lilith.
“He is, but our grace has ordered that I not let you in,” Lilith replies.
I narrow my eyes at her. “Why not?”
“Because she knows your intentions. You want to kill him, but our queen has not given you the order. She has told me to not let you in.”
“What?” I snap. “Why would she do that?”
“Caspian.” I look over my shoulder. Hassha walks toward us in a linen brown dress and her hair braided into a halo with the gold crown on top of her head.
“Hassha, please give me an explanation,” I demand. “I have every right to end that man’s life. You know what he did to Willow.”
She gestures to Lilith, who nods her head and enters the cave. When she emerges, she’s clutching Garrett by the arm and dragging him with her. He looks nothing like he did before, full of arrogance and anger. Instead, he appears afraid and weak, and like he might cry. The bloody wimp.
“Follow me, Caspian.” Hassha turns away before I can protest.
Annoyed, I follow her across the bridge. Lilith trails behind with Garrett until Hassha stops in the center of the forest. Birds caw, and strips of sunlight filter through the leaves, highlighting her skin.
Lilith walks around me, dumping Garrett onto the ground between us. He lands with an oomph and slowly sits up.
“What is it you’re most afraid of, Caspian?” Hassha asks.
“I’m not afraid of anything,” I counter.
“Losing your mate,” she retorts, and I press my lips. “And spiders,” she adds.
I avoid a sigh. I really wish she’d stay out of my head.
“I know how angry you are at this man, and I know how badly you want to murder him. But while you are on my island, I will not allow reckless bloodshed. This is not Blackwater. Do you understand?”
I swallow to rid my throat of dryness. “Yes.”
“Now, I sense that Willow would rather us return this man to Earth so that he can go on about his life, but I refuse to do that. He’s seen parts of Kessel that no man should ever see, and if he was a vessel of Decius before, he could become one again. I’ve asked him if he has family on Earth, and he has informed me that he doesn’t. I’ve searched his mind inside and out, and the sad truth is that, other than Willow, no one will care that he’s missing.”
“What are you getting at?” I grumble, resisting the urge to punch the hell out of Garrett right here, right now.