Total pages in book: 210
Estimated words: 200096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1000(@200wpm)___ 800(@250wpm)___ 667(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 200096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1000(@200wpm)___ 800(@250wpm)___ 667(@300wpm)
Which leaves anyone to wonder where they’re going.
Zorya’s gaze wanders over the crowd. “This is far more than the thirty scribes you promised.”
“More hands to help you find books?” We have plenty of room for them all.
“You were concerned for the battle-hardened warrior, stuck babysitting the elderly in this tomb. How thoughtful,” she deadpans.
“This is what Gesine wanted, you know. The scribes here to sift through all this. She asked me for help.” And I denied it.
Mention of the elemental caster wipes the hard expression off Zorya’s face. “Now you can take the sylx with you.”
“Where is Lucretia, anyway?” I frown, searching for her slinking form. I would have thought she’d be the first to find me.
“Probably building another tower that will kill the old witch should it topple.” She gestures to a stack at least four books deep and ten feet high.
“Those are all about the fates?”
“You’d have to ask her.” Zorya juts her chin toward Agatha. “Though she’s still working through the first. This will take ages.”
“Not with thirty scribes who can read the text.”
Agatha notices our attention and peels herself away from her faction to join us, bowing. “Your Highness, it is a relief to see you. What of Zaleria and Allegra?”
By the time I’m done giving a quick rundown of what happened, Agatha’s face has lost all color.
“Corrin is sorting out rooms and meals for everyone. I thought I’d bring them here so they could see you and know that they’re safe.”
“Yes, they’ve been through quite the ordeal.” She wrings her hands, still racked with guilt. “I knew Lorel would not take kindly if she found out what we had been up to.”
“Speaking of being up to things …” I point to Cahill, who’s occupied by a prattling Pan. They’re about the same age, though where Pan is scrawny, Cahill stands tall and broad-shouldered. “That’s quite the necklace.”
Agatha’s eyes widen before she’s able to school her reaction.
“Don’t worry, he’s wearing it again.” How long before he takes it off to test these hidden affinities of his? I still recall the first time I removed my ring while standing on the terrace overlooking the royal garden and the strange, buzzing energy that claimed my senses.
“I should think so. He would be crawling out of his skin by now otherwise. Who else knows?”
“The guild and a few Shadows. And Cahill, now.” He and I are more similar than he has any clue of. Both of us had no idea what we were capable of, our skills hidden by others.
“I’m surprised Lorel didn’t kill him on the spot.”
“She was going to breed him.”
Agatha gasps, her face filled with disgust as she looks at the young man, no doubt still seeing the little boy she rescued. “I have only ever wanted to protect him, since the day he arrived in a caster’s arms. But I suppose that truth cannot be put back into the box.”
“How powerful is he?”
She falters on an answer, her jaw clenching as if afraid of admitting to the truth.
That tells me all I need to know. “He’ll be safe here, but you need to train him before he decides to take that pendant off and learn by himself.”
She waves my words away. “Cahill is a sweet and innocent boy. He will do as I say.”
“Train him, Agatha. It’s better for all of us.” I hold up the Prime’s ring. “I have to get to Argon and give Allegra this.”
“Allegra.” Her eyebrows arch with her slow nod.
“Solange recommended her.”
“Huh! Well, now I can die in peace for I have truly seen it all.” She gazes over all the scribes, some venturing down aisles, their curiosity getting the better of them. “Do not worry. While you are there, we will hunt for answers in here.” She dips her head. “I am grateful that we have been gifted a queen with a kind heart. Thank you for bringing them back safely to me.”
“You can thank me by finding the answers we need.”
Argon’s royal vault is exactly how I left it. With a nervous flutter in my stomach, I weave around the various chests and crates, intent on the heavy iron door that leads to the castle and Zander.
“This is a fine piece.”
I yelp in surprise and spin around, arming myself with my affinities.
Lucretia hovers by a gold bust adorned with a layered necklace of gold and diamond, her fingertip skating over the gems.
“How did you get in here?”
“I followed Her Highness through the wormhole.”
“It’s not a—never mind.” I shake my head.
“Why do they create such fine pieces, only to hide them in a cellar?”
“The same reason you hide fates’ tokens. Because they’re valuable. Why are you here?”
She abandons her interest in the jewelry. “I serve my master.”
“You were serving me by helping in that library. The scribes need you.”
“I have delivered a vast selection of tomes they may find value in. There is more than enough to keep them occupied. Now I must serve my new master.” She bows. “I am of use here.”