Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Flutters consumed my awareness and now, there was no ignoring him.
The second he noted my scrutiny, he scowled and snapped, “What?” as if I’d been the one staring.
A full minute passed before Cluck Cluck pecked my leg, and I regained my wits. I stroked her neck in thanks. Obviously, we were best friends now. “How many mountains are in Hakeldama?” I asked.
“Six,” he replied easily enough. Another surprise. “One in every province.”
So Emerald, where I’d first landed, plus Sapphire, Ruby, Amethyst, Opal, and Diamond.
“Do you know which province had a cave-in during the time of Morris Ori’Emet?”
“I was born in the mountains, Moriah.” His dry tone suggested I should have guessed this. “I know their history better than most. Throughout the centuries, there have been three cave-ins. The one you speak of is Mount Emerald. It’s filled with murals of coming wars, painted by Hakeldama’s first water maiden.”
Andrea then. An artist, like my mother. Like me.
I must see those murals. “Mount Emerald is our next stop.” Perhaps the paintings would lead us to the Ember of Everlight. Or the monstra shells that once encased the body of the first water maiden. The very shells Morris expected to bring her back to life.
Thanks to Elowen’s serum, I had something no one else did: a link to Andrea.
Problem. “You’re being awfully nice to me, Jasher. Extremely helpful, even, for someone who hates me.” A suspicion curled through me, and I pressed my tongue to the roof of my mouth. “You’re setting me up.”
He rolled his eyes, all smooth amusement. “I’ve decided to help you find what you’re looking for—so I can steal it. A turn you should have deduced on your own.”
Yeah. Okay. That tracked. “Well, Gerald told me—he’s the trapper king you…”
“Murdered at your command?” Jasher asked, arching a brow. “After I murdered my chained brother.”
I withered while nodding. “I’m sorry, I truly am. And that’s the last time I’ll apologize for what happened in the arena.” Probably. “I did what I thought was best.”
He pursed his lips but offered no retort.
Inhale, exhale. “Gerald said all who search for the Ember die in monstra fire.” Hey. I’d never actually discussed the object of my hunt with Jasher. “The Ember of Everlight is supposed to right all wrongs. I believe that includes separating you and the other clones from Ian, ending the time loops, and saving the people we care about. It’s what King Morris, the first of the Ori’Emets, and Andrea used to defeat the monstra.”
“I’m familiar with the Ember, as well,” he said, still without heat.
I rubbed mental hands together, eager to hear every detail.
Waiting…
One brow arched again. “Oh, you want me to tell you what I know about it?” He tsked, pretending he regretted his next words. “Sorry, princess, but unless I feel the information is vital to my success, I won’t be sharing.”
I knew this trick. “You’d like to bargain for the information, I suppose.”
“That is how you water maidens prefer to interact, isn’t it?” He got more comfortable, canted his head to the side in that way of his, and grinned. If diabolical anticipation ever had a face… “What are you offering?”
“What do you want?” I asked, embarrassingly breathless with excitement. Because of him. Because of that look. Because he had something I wanted. Many somethings. “Even though we both know I’m not really a water maiden.”
Cluck Cluck repositioned at my side, like we were two chicks ganging up on a rooster.
Said rooster dropped his attention to my lips—and lingered. When he next met my gaze, he radiated determination. “I want my freedom, and I’ll settle for nothing less.”
Exactly what I couldn’t afford to give. Sigh. “If you think of anything else you’d like, do let me know.” I gave my chicken more pets. “Such a pretty girl.”
Ready to dive back into the past, I returned my attention to Ahav’s journal.
The next several pages featured hand-drawn maps of Hakeldama’s mountains, pointing out locations he’d searched, with notes about monstra formations, traps, and secret entrances scribbled in the margins. Very helpful. Then I turned the page and discovered sketches of King Morris and… Andrea? She resembled the water maiden in my dream, with her green hue and water wings, but the artist had smudged her facial features. An accident or done on purpose?
I showed the image to Cluck Cluck. “My mom did this.” I’d recognize her artwork anywhere. Her talent always amazed me. “Good, huh?”
The chicken appeared unimpressed, but that was okay. We could work on her lack of taste another day. I traced my finger over Maybe-Andrea’s outline, trying to will away the blur. Alas.
I perused King Morris, on the page beside hers. Though unending sorrow and endless anguish lurked in his irises, he’d been a handsome man, definitely related to Ahav. He wore golden armor, just like the mountain man in my dream.