Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“The Midnight Orchid.”
“I have seen pictures of that. Rich velvety, deep purple with a white center like a touch of moonlight,” Hugo murmured. As he spoke, a glass Midnight Orchid blossomed on the vine in the center of the blade. Another appeared near the tip and a final one on the guard.
“Exquisite.” Victor breathed.
“It’s not bad. I’ve seen others trained in the glass arts who can make things so beautiful, they would bring tears to your eyes. I was never formally trained. My mother didn’t want me going into trade and ruining my chances of making a good marriage match.” Hugo held it up to the lamp, inspecting his work. “It’s not a particularly useful magical skill. My father’s magic was in baking. At least he could feed people. Dorian’s magic can make, mend, and restore books. The world will always need books to preserve and share knowledge.”
Hugo set the glass sword next to the steel sword and swallowed a sigh. “I can make windows. Cups. Pretty trinkets.” He lifted his gaze to the king. “Which would you prefer? A person who could make steel swords or a man who could make windows and cups?”
Victor reached out and ran his fingertips along the smooth blade of the glass sword. “I would prefer a kingdom where my citizens didn’t need swords to feel safe. I’d rather they had windows through which to see the world but keep out the cold. Cups filled with wine and glass plates covered in food.”
“Then no matter what happens tomorrow, take a step back from the war we are racing toward. While I will never understand the depth of pain you and your father have felt, war will only bring more suffering to innocent people caught in the middle of this old feud. How many families have been destroyed because sons and husbands have fallen in battle? Through the years, how many battles have been fought over grazing fields and farmlands, which have resulted in more destitute and starving families? It’s time to lay this old conflict to rest for the good of Wulia and Branem. Stop now, and you can gain what you’ve not had in a long time.”
“What’s that?”
“Family. Everand is your cousin, after all.” Victor’s nose wrinkled as he sneered, and Hugo laughed. “Okay, that was a step too far.”
“Much too far,” Victor confirmed.
Hugo bumped Victor with his elbow. “He’s not that bad. You remind me of him a bit.”
“That’s enough!” Victor shouted, wringing more laughter out of Hugo. “Go to bed. I don’t want to see you again until morning. And I’m confiscating this sword. Prisoners aren’t allowed to have swords.”
Hugo walked to the door leading out of the library, a smile on his lips. “If the alpacas devour me before I reach my room, it’s on your head,” he called out.
“I’m sure I’ll find a way to go on.”
Yes, Hugo was sure he would, but at least he seemed to be in a somewhat better mood. If what he’d said helped to sway him to end this standoff with Branem tomorrow, Hugo would count it as a win.
Twenty-Eight
Dawn came too early.
Hugo was still trying to wake up when he found himself in a saddle and rushed out of the castle with Prince Everand, Captain Ryze, King Victor, and a couple of other soldiers. Just to make the morning even more jarring and uncomfortable, King Victor chose to be a troublemaker.
“Hugo, thank you again for the sword you made me,” King Victor began in a deceptively gentle voice.
“What?” Everand snapped. The possessive crackle in that single syllable was unmistakable, and Hugo nearly groaned.
“Yes, Hugo and I were talking in the library late last night. He made me an exquisite glass sword decorated with Midnight Orchids. I was surprised at how well you knew my country’s official flower,” Victor continued. “I’ll have to suggest to the designer that you should have embroidered Midnight Orchids on the vest of your wedding clothes.”
“Never going to happen.” Everand was seething. He pushed every word out between clenched teeth. The leather reins creaked under his hands, and the horse tossed its head, seeming to sense his growing irritation.
“All right,” Hugo moaned.
A smile grew even wider on Victor’s lips. “I haven’t decided where to place it yet, but I believe I’ll have the sword hung in my bed chambers so I can look upon it every night and morning. At least until I have my new husband in my bed.”
“You can’t have him! You’re never going to have him!” Everand shouted. He kicked his heels into the flanks of his horse and charged King Victor, but the guards immediately closed ranks around their king, their swords flying from their sheaths.
“Your Majesty!” Hugo cried.
“Hugo is mine!” Everand roared, not caring that he was facing armed soldiers while his hands were bound in front of him.