Total pages in book: 401
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flash of white in the hall at the end of the alcove.
I reached out through the notam, finding the springy, fresh imprint. Stay unseen, Delano. I don’t know what she is or if it is her.
“Is that so?” Attes replied as Casteel held out his hand, motioning for Kieran to stay back.
She doesn’t smell right, Delano said.
To me, she smelled like Isbeth: roses. But wolven had a much more heightened sense of smell. What does she smell like?
Rot, he said.
I stiffened.
“The true King is not pleased by your presence,” she said.
“The one you call the true King is nothing but an impostor,” Attes stated. “One who knows I don’t give two fucks what pleases him.”
“But he cares about what pleases you.” She paused as her gown dragged over the step. “Attes.”
Tension bracketed the corners of his mouth. It was the only sign that what she’d said had sparked something in him.
“And you should know better than anyone not to interfere,” she continued. “But here you are again.”
“And here you are, on Kolis’s behalf,” Attes countered. “Was he too cowardly to come himself?”
“He’s quite busy.” Her head tipped, sending thick waves sliding over her shoulder. “But you know what would’ve happened if he had come. After all, he made you a promise he has yet to fulfill.” She drifted along the edge of the threshold, letting her gown fall over the steps. The scent of roses turned my stomach. “And he will.”
Attes’s lips thinned and eather streaked across his silver eyes.
I had no idea what they were talking about as I glanced at Casteel. He watched them with a frown.
“But your presence has, let’s say, escalated things.” Her gaze slid sideways to me. “There’s no need to march your armies north to Pensdurth, my dear.”
My spine went rigid.
“Someone’s been talking,” Casteel murmured, slowly climbing the steps.
Raising a brow, she gave Casteel a once-over. It struck me then that she seemed to have no reaction to the eather in him. Would a demis normally feel that? No, the vadentia answered. Demises were not true gods. Their ability to sense the essence was little better than a mortal’s. So, if she wasn’t a demis, if she wasn’t Isbeth, then what was she? Because she didn’t feel like a god.
“Who?” Casteel demanded softly.
“The same as always.”
My mind immediately went to our failed plans regarding Oak Ambler. Isbeth had known we were coming. She had prepared for it. It could’ve been because she’d simply thought ahead or because someone had told her. However, not many knew about our plans, and those who did never would’ve risked their King or Atlantia.
Casteel’s smile was easy, but I felt the tension gathering in his muscles. “That’s not an answer.”
“No, it’s not.” Her gaze returned to mine. “Kolis wants to speak with you.”
“Kolis can go fuck himself,” Casteel replied.
Her laugh was low and throaty. “And he would love if your husband and”—she glanced at Kieran and winked—“your dear friend would join you.”
A fine shiver erupted along the nape of my neck.
“And you.” She nodded toward Attes. “He would really love for you to join Penellaphe for a chat.”
The shiver spread down my back as her gaze returned to mine.
“You have until noon tomorrow.”
“Or?” I asked.
“Or this city will be owned by the dead,” she said with a beautiful, red-lipped smile. “And that is no idle threat.”
“He’s not that powerful.” I stepped toward her. “Not after being entombed for so long and only just awakening.”
“Penellaphe,” she chided. The muscles beneath Kieran’s fur rippled. “He’s been well taken care of for centuries. He’s only been recently freed. There is a big difference between the two.”
My body flashed cold, and my gaze darted to Casteel. That was not what we’d understood. “Why would we believe that?”
“You don’t have to.” Clasping her hands, she took a step back. “Fail to arrive by noon, and you will find out whether I speak the truth.”
“You and he must think we’re fools,” Casteel snarled. “If you believe we will come to chat.”
“I never believed you to be a fool.” Her head tipped. “Reckless? Stubborn? Yes. Never a fool.” Those thick lashes swept down, then up as she turned her gaze to me. “You will come to Seacliffe Manor.”
My fingers curled against my palms. “Why do you think that?”
“Because the Chosen will not let a city full of innocents perish.”
Casteel made to step forward, but Kieran blocked him.
“A Fate will be there,” she added. “To make sure the conversation remains…appropriate. He”—she nodded at Attes—“can confirm that is how things are done.”
I glanced at him. He said nothing.
“Now, I will see myself out. Your soldiers can escort me to the Rise, and I will be allowed to leave.” She turned with a swish of her gown. “If not, there will be no need to wait until noon to see exactly how strong the true King is.”