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)
I wonder…
I get to my feet, flicking my long wet hair over my shoulder, and open the root cellar. The firelight casts shadows over the interior, making it barely visible, and I break down and light a nub of a candle I’ve been keeping for such an occasion. My light held high, I step down the short stone staircase and into the cellar.
He’s got so much food. Every single cheese wheel is untouched, even. I know, I’ve counted them a dozen times over. The container of nuts seems to be as full as ever, and the bags of vegetables look far fresher than my own. It hardly seems fair. I’ve never been tempted to steal his food before, but the realization that my own supplies are dwindling is making me anxious. I reach out and touch a decorated jar, wondering what the contents are.
Out of nowhere, a hand grabs my wrist and hauls it away. My candle stub goes flying and gutters out, and I let out a cry of surprise as I’m pinned against the shelf of food.
“What do you think you’re doing?” the Fellian growls at me. My wrist is held high over my head, and the Fellian looms over my pinned body. He’s absolutely enormous compared to my smaller form, and I’m acutely aware of his strength and size.
“I was just looking.”
He squeezes my wrist. “You think you can steal from me without me knowing? You think I am that foolish?”
My shock is ebbing, replaced with irritation. I jerk at my trapped wrist. “I wasn’t going to steal. I was just curious.” When he doesn’t release me, I retort, “My food is down here, too. How do I know you’re not stealing mine?”
“Your spells should tell you the truth of that.”
“My what?” I frown up at the glittering green eyes.
“Your warding spells. They will tell you if your food has been disturbed. You know this is not the case.”
I laugh. When his hand squeezes on my wrist again, I just laugh harder. “You think I have magic?” I sputter. “Seriously? Do you truly think I’d be wandering around in the darkness all the time if I had a whit of magic in my veins? The only thing I have is a blood curse, and it’s not going to assist me with anything.”
He’s silent, those green glowing eyes glaring down at me. “Your potions—”
“I’m sick,” I tell him. “They’re medicine. But at least now I know you’re watching me.” I give him an arch smile. “See anything interesting, Fellian?”
He releases my wrist so quickly that I stagger. In the next moment, I’m alone again, surrounded by nothing but shadows. I rub my wrist, breathing hard, and it takes me a moment to realize that he wasn’t rough with me. I won’t have bruises. I stare out into the darkness, wondering if he’s watching me even now.
Chapter
Fifteen
“…and so I said to the bard, surely you can come up with a better song than that? We need smiles at court, not frowns and sadness!”
“Mmm,” I say to Balon. I lie on my back by the door, nestled amidst the pillows and blankets. I’m just so happy to hear him that I don’t mind him rattling on about court life and the sheer silliness of it all. At least, I didn’t at first. I was so relieved to hear his return that I didn’t care what he talked about, so long as he talked. But it’s been hours now and he’s not asked about me, nor has he told me anything about my sister. I’m starting to wonder if I’m simply a captive audience for his tales of court shenanigans.
“And do you know what he did next? He played a merry tune, just as I asked!” Balon laughs at his own story. “Isn’t that marvelous?”
“Absolutely,” I say, and then add, “Can I ask you a question, Balon?”
“Anything, my darling princess!”
“Where were you? It’s been a month since you came by.” I don’t say that I’ve been waiting impatiently because I don’t want to seem needy. I am needy, of course, but I’d prefer not to show it.
There’s a long pause. “I thought you couldn’t tell time inside your tower.”
“Not very well. But I was so excited to see you that I’ve been counting the days as best I can and I know it’s been a while since you were last here. Is everything all right?”
“Everything is fine, Princess Candromeda. It’s just been so busy at court. I’ve scarce had the opportunity to get away. You understand that it’s quite an excursion for me to come out here and see you?” His tone sounds faintly reproachful. “I must keep my visits a secret or else I would be banned from keeping you company.”
“Who would ban you?” I press. “My sister? I don’t think she would. She would understand your devotion. And you said Lionel is off to war.”