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)
Riordan nodded. “It’s true. Even if the faeriken aren’t invading Rajadom, Quatassa, Sarabai, or Lyrica, the curse most certainly is. Obviously, we can’t sit by while the curse kills the land and turns us all into mindless beasts. But that’s reason for us to work with the faeriken to end the curse. It’s not a reason to turn victims into enemies.”
“You’re right,” I agreed. I found a brush and joined him, preening the coat of my new friend. “I see that now. The faeriken are no less fae than us. They’re normal, regular people like us. They deserve help to break their curse, not a death sentence. But how will they ever get such help when the man who holds the cursed heart refuses to free them, or us, from its punishment?”
His smile remained. “Well, that’s where you come in, isn’t it?”
“Me?” I pulled a face. “Is that the answer? Is that why the villagers are so excited that Shadowsoul didn’t let me be crushed to death? They think I’m getting close enough to him that he’ll tell me where the cursed heart is, and let me destroy it?”
Riordan laughed. “That is always the answer, my queen. Beautiful women such as you are the weakness of every man’s heart.”
I’ll tell Emiana you said so the next I see the rotted bitch.
“My lady?”
I whipped around, landing on a shifting shadow outside the stable door.
“My lady, what are you doing in there?” Eadaoin asked.
I swallowed a curse. Alisdair’s marking would be the death of me. It was a beacon telling him, and everyone with a heightened sense of smell, where I was.
“Be ready for tonight,” I told Riordan. Reaching into the folds of my gown, I handed him a small pouch. “No excuses. No delays.”
“Yes, my queen.”
Eadaoin burst in. “Lady Ana?” Her eyes narrowed on Riordan. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing’s going on. I simply wanted to see the horses.” I brushed past her going outside. “Come now. Let’s not keep the villagers waiting.”
I STOOD ON THE TRAINING field, shivering in my calfskin boots.
I had the first enjoyable morning since entering Lumenfell. Villager after villager paid me tribute in fruits, vegetables, berries, and more. The best part, I got into long, fascinating conversations with nearly all of them about how to grow such in bitter, chilling weather. At some point, a group of us were gathered in the square—laughing, drinking ale, and trading tips.
It was truly fun... so, of course, my blessed husband would see to its end.
“You look ridiculous.”
I threw a furious look at the kakka.
“Truly moronic.”
Growling, I swung the bow and arrow on Alisdair.
Foalan waved his hand and the bow burst into feathers before it could make its flight. “My queen,” Foalan said flatly. “Kindly cease trying to assassinate our king.”
“No!”
Foalan sighed. “Lady Ana, you’re doing well. You just need to maintain your stance, and then take a breath before you release. It will help steady your aim.”
“Why must I learn to use a bow and arrow?” I asked. “I take no issue with weapons training, but why this weapon? Can’t I begin with a sword or dagger?” I looked right at the smirking Alisdair when I said that.
The man had me plucked from the village, but not for more map-memorization. Aeris brought me straight to the snow-covered training yard, and Foalan.
Orblights did their best to light the field, but there wasn’t much to illuminate. Snow six inches deep covered my boots. Three yards before me were the targets. On my left side, faeriken soldiers sparred and trained with each other. On my right, Alisdair leaned against the stone yard fence, testing how quickly Foalan could take away my arrows before they pierced his skull.
“The bow is the best weapon against the Taken,” Foalan explained. “Taken are foul, unnatural creatures born from dark magics we can’t comprehend. They have a strange, deadly effect on those they draw near—filling them with irrational terror.”
I shivered, swallowing hard.
“It’s hard to think, let alone fight close combat when your every instinct is screaming at you to run. That’s why you’ll fight with the bow, my queen,” he said. “You’ll kill them before they get close.”
I just nodded. I wasn’t expecting such a good reason, and that was the best. Killing those horrible things before they closed in on me was most certainly what I preferred to do.
“What are they?” I asked softly.
“I don’t know. They aren’t beget by”—he gestured to his wolf face—“or we wouldn’t be able to speak of them. But they don’t exist anywhere but this land, so we’d be a fool to believe they aren’t related.” He shook his head. “Maybe they’re what’s borne of a broken heart.”
“Have you given up already?” Alisdair called, setting my teeth on edge. “Well, at least watching you flailing around, shooting arrows at the ground, was entertaining.”
“Cease your blathering, beast,” I barked, “or get over here and help me. You and I both know I can’t learn properly when my instructor isn’t allowed to touch me.”