Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 121339 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121339 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
“That chalice is in the king’s possession,” Tarian said in a bored voice. “For safekeeping.”
“Yes, of course. Of course. Something that powerful—that valuable—should be kept safe.”
“Exactly. We can set up the configuration without it. He will supply it when it is needed to create the bridge.”
“Ah. Yes. Except…” Those pale blue eyes flashed to Daisy for a moment, so quickly that she would’ve missed it had she not been staring straight at him.
I can help you, he said into her mind at the same time as he spoke to Tarian. She barely contained her startled surprise. “I must test the amount of magic that runs through it. It does more than you think, Tarian. Your studies aren’t quite—”
He is a fool for entering you in the court games. A magic-less human has no place there, even with a mind shield. Even the meagerly magical would outclass you, but now the king knows a human is present in his court. He finds great joy in tormenting your kind. You have no hope. He will alter the games to get the most sport out of you.
What delightful news, she thought sarcastically. Thanks for the vote of confidence. But I don’t have much choice, do I?
Nor much confidence. She could hear the truth in his voice. The utter conviction. It matched the growing uncertainty in her gut.
I can help you, Chalice, he repeated while speaking with Tarian physically. That ability was beyond her. Tarian does not know all you can do. Purposely. My order protects the sacred scrolls and all that lie within. We merely guide. We only reveal as much as the gods will. The fae would use you for their own designs, but you were always meant to have a choice: to increase and expand power to unbelievable heights…or to wither it away entirely. Balance. That is why the crystal chalice was always meant to be a thinking, rational, logical being—or as close as a human can get. A being not of Faerie, not raised in Faerie, and without the pitfalls of life here. You are the balance, Chalice, and you are needed now more than ever, the gods willing.
Wither it away entirely? she asked him, knowing he had heard her directed mental voice a moment ago but wondering if he could also hear her thoughts. Wondering if the magical mental shield was working, because if not, Tarian could just shoplift this information from her mind anyway. Telling her like this made very little sense.
My kind are not hindered by magical mental shields, he replied. The gods will it so. No information is kept from us. No information can be hidden, except what we will. He cannot access this conversation unless you verbally reveal it. It is locked in your mind, safe, unless you choose to impart it.
Then why would he want to keep this from Tarian if he knew Tarian’s real plans?
Because fae cannot be trusted, especially in this court where the magic is so horribly twisted. This ability, this burden, falls at your feet. You alone must choose which is a worthy cause, and which is not. He paused. If he truly wishes to enter you into the court games, then you must make your way to me quickly. Your life is at stake.
Cold slithered down her spine at the thought of going up against fae whose magic made no sense to her. At the reality she was facing but had been damn slow to notice. She’d always figured she’d find a way to protect herself. She always had in the human world.
But in the human world, she had backup. She had Zorn standing guard, she had excellent preplanning, and she’d never really been on her own. She’d never battled face to face without the element of surprise. If this character could be believed, she wouldn’t have that luxury here. The games—and the king—would make sure she was exposed. She wouldn’t stand a fucking chance, or even have the knowledge to evade. She was battling blind in a land of dangerous creatures. What had Tarian been thinking?
Eldric made a frustrated gesture at Tarian, crinkled his scrolls, and turned away. He walked swiftly down the hall.
“Come now, little pet.” The magical leash on her neck yanked her into motion. “We must not dally. I have matters that need my attention.”
You are very stuffy when you’re speaking like a member of the court, she mentally murmured.
She felt his magic move over her body deliciously, followed by the press of phantom lips on hers. I’m not in the human world. I can’t use the slang I’ve picked up there or I’ll be ridiculed.
Her body heated, but her mind drifted. Wither away magic? That meant null it, right? She could essentially render a magical person…not magical?
Butterflies swarmed her belly as she vaguely noticed the halls around them. Unlike with the Fallen, or with the fae a moment ago, servants didn’t just look down and hurry past when Tarian was in their vicinity. No, they pushed to the wall and tried to slink by. Some stopped completely and faced the wall so they couldn’t make eye contact. One male shrank into a crouch, head down, making himself as small as possible. Tarian might be the butt of jokes in the court, but his power, and his viciousness, made him a terror.