Total pages in book: 218
Estimated words: 205594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1028(@200wpm)___ 822(@250wpm)___ 685(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 205594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1028(@200wpm)___ 822(@250wpm)___ 685(@300wpm)
Tolian’s hand tightens on her shoulder. “You know I will not let you come to harm, milettahn.”
I’m startled to hear the sweet endearment from another’s lips. It makes me achingly lonely, because I think of Nemeth. I think of how much I love him, and the secrets he keeps from me, and it hurts. “Nemeth has been trying to speak to the king,” I say, clearing my throat. “Surely he can talk sense into his brother.”
They both give me pitying looks.
“Tolian and the Second House are rising up against First House,” Riza says, her tone delicate, her expression careful. She leans forward. “We need the support of the Vestalins to bring the humans to our side. They are afraid, but if their leader speaks up, it will make all the difference in the world.”
Me? Lead? “Erynne—”
“Is unstable,” Riza says. “I cannot speak to her without her trying to attack me. She does not like the idea of humans and Fellians working together. It must be you.”
My mouth hangs open. “I can’t work against Nemeth’s family. I don’t agree with them—or even particularly like them—but Nemeth has my loyalty. He’s trying to work things out with them. He’s visiting his brothers. Speaking with them. Trying to make them understand. I can’t betray him.”
Riza shakes her head at me, incredulous. “Candra, you know I love you and want the best for you. But I don’t understand this. How does he command such loyalty from you after what he’s done?”
Every muscle in my body tightens. My stomach churns, and I feel sick. “What do you mean? Whatever his brothers have done, that’s on them. Nemeth is innocent.”
She continues to shake her head, her movements slower and slower. “Oh, Candra. No, love. I’m sorry. Nemeth is just as guilty as the rest of them. They sent Prince Nemeth to the tower to seduce you and win you over to Darkfell’s side. He doesn’t love you. It’s all been a plot to get you to betray your people.”
I…what?
Chapter
Seventy-Nine
Istare at Riza, at her familiar, worn face. Her words sink in, but I can’t make sense of them. They float in my head, dancing and circling like flames at a bonfire.
They sent Prince Nemeth to the tower to seduce you and win you over to Darkfell’s side.
Impossible.
Isn’t it?
I think of our interactions in the tower. How we’d both wanted nothing to do with each other at first. How Nemeth had saved my life and I’d found it puzzling. How annoyed he’d seemingly been at sharing space with me…until we’d fallen in love. How he wouldn’t touch me unless we were mated. He’d insisted.
And then I think of the time I’d woken up to hear him talking to the altar, “confessing” to the gods.
How he’d openly admitted to me that he’d spied on me at his brother’s command.
All those little memories flit through my mind and fill me with terror. Have I been betrayed? Played like a musical instrument by the person I love most in this world? But if that’s the case, why did he save me so many times? Why did he let the intruders attack him in order to protect me if it’s all a farce? His wing was torn. He’d thought he’d never fly again.
He’d done that for me. Sacrificed himself for me.
Time and time again, Nemeth had shared his food with me, even when it meant we’d both go hungry. How could this possibly be his plan? I shake my head. “You’re wrong. He loves me.”
Riza bites her lip and glances up at Tolian.
“Prince Nemeth was sent at a very young age to the Alabaster Citadel so he could learn how to be the Royal Offering,” Tolian says, voice neutral. “A short time ago, it was decided that Nemeth was too scholarly to woo a princess. That the Princess Meryliese of Lios viewed him as a friend and not a potential lover. So he was sent home and Ajaxi was to take his place in the tower. For whatever reason, they changed their minds a month prior to the solstice, and Nemeth was sent back to the Alabaster Citadel once more as the offering.”
Ice spreads through my veins. Nemeth had mentioned that.
“His training at the citadel included courtship and human wooing customs,” Tolian continues. “How to please a female. I’m told he wasn’t a good student at these particular lessons, preferring to read war poetry instead, but I’m sure some of it sank in.”
I think of the onion he’d made me, studded with peppercorns. He’d acted like it was such a silly custom. He’d asked me to tell him about our customs…had he already known them? Was he just toying with me?
“Apparently Ivornath was quite happy when he learned you were sent in place of Meryliese. It was rumored that Meryliese was cold and temperamental and you were considered…”