Total pages in book: 197
Estimated words: 186911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 186911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
It was me who was crying and smiling. I nearly jumped over the table and hugged him, if not for remembering at the last second that Alisdair wouldn’t take too kindly to that. “Thank you, Riordan. You have no idea how much I... Just, thank you.” I held my hand out to him, resting it an inch above his heart. “If there’s anything I can do for you, name it.”
He smiled. “My queen, you’ve already done everything for me. I’ve got this great position and... uh...” Riordan glanced past my shoulder. I followed his gaze to a tall, dark-haired bat faeriken. I only knew she was a bat from the spindly wings fluttering on her back. The curse had yet to touch her face, and what a pretty face it was.
I flicked away from her charming smile to her round, pregnant belly. It suddenly made perfect sense why Riordan abandoned Lyrica and took up the charge of uniting the fae and faeriken.
“It’s really going to help our family,” he finished. “We’re even moving into the castle tomorrow. Everyone employed by the royal family has the right.”
“That’s great, Riordan,” I said, and meant it. “I’m really happy for you.”
He beamed at his love.
“I have another sack for you.” Urgency made me return to the point. I had to get back to Alisdair before the runes demanded it. “Would you mind delivering it to Aya Olene again?”
“Not a problem, my lady.” He took the sack of diamonds and tucked it under the table. “Maybe this time I’ll get to see her.”
My ears quirked up. “Who?”
“Just an old friend of mine.” He softened, surprising me. “She was the best. Tough, fierce, but kind too. She saved me from some bullies, and this was after her magic was bound. Imagine the guts that takes. Standing between a scrawny kid and three guys twice your size, with no magic to help you.
“But that’s Volka,” he said, laughing. “Fearless.”
I found myself laughing too. Volka. I hadn’t heard that nickname in a long time. It meant wolf.
His smile dimmed. “I asked Aya Olene about her, and their dancing and laughing stopped. They wouldn’t say what happened, but I know. The Gutter took her,” he rasped. “Like it takes us all in the end. It’s terrible because out of everybody, I always thought she’d be the one to make it out.”
I did, Riordan! I made it out. If only I could tell you. My hand fell to my side. If only I could tell Mama and my siblings they don’t have to stop smiling. Everything’s going to be all right.
“My lady.”
I turned to Eadaoin, who pointed at the flickering orblight. It was only recently I was informed they flickered every hour, on the hour, to help the Lumenfellians track the time in this land of dark and ice.
“Goodbye, Riordan,” I said, “and thank you.”
I LET MYSELF INTO THE war room, causing Alisdair to raise his head. He glanced at me, then to the man behind me.
“What do you want?”
The leopard faeriken bowed. “I am here at my lady’s request.”
“This is Fintan,” I broke in, saving him. “I remembered you saying how busy you are, dear husband, and what a waste it is having to teach me. It was unfair of me to demand you teach me to read runes too when you already have so much on your plate.” I gestured to him. “Hence, Fintan. He will take over my runic lessons.”
“No,” Alisdair replied. “Get out.”
I laughed. “You’re so silly, my lord. Come, come, Fintan, it’s all right.” The guy was already halfway out the door. “My lord makes these jokes all the time.
“You just continue working,” I told Alisdair, “and we’ll be over here.”
I herded Fintan to a small table in the corner. Under Alisdair’s watchful, narrowed eyes, I gathered parchment, inks, and quills, and brought it back for us to begin.
“Okay, uh...” Fintan tried not to look at his glaring king. “How much do you know, my lady?”
“Nothing. You’ll have to start at the beginning, and teach me absolutely everything you know.” I winked at him. “But a smart, clever guy like you? You’re just the man for the job.”
He started. “Oh. Th-thank you, Lady Ana.”
“You are most welcome,” I said, brushing back my hair to reveal Emiana’s pale throat and ample cleavage.
Aeris didn’t know when she chose my blue silk gown with the plunging neckline, she was helping me and Eadaoin complete the next step in my plan to make Alisdair fall in love with me.
I couldn’t tumble the man in front of Alisdair—and I also didn’t want to—but I could give him my full and adoring attention.
“Let’s begin.” Fintan grabbed a quill and parchment and began writing out the runes. “There are six thousand five hundred and seventy-eight runes in total, but you only need to know four thousand for fluency.”