Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Because that’s the thing about Armistice Night. The strongest Mythics are gathered here and told to send a spell of harmony over the palace. This causes everyone to get along, to forget about worries and conflict, and to enjoy the night.
“Who are they?” Willow asks, pointing up.
I shift my gaze to the second level, where a group of older people sits together. “Those are the elder Mythics. You can always tell who is elder by the scarves on their heads and the many layers of clothes they wear. They don’t like to reveal themselves much.”
“Oh.”
“There aren’t very many of them,” I say. “As you can see, there are only six in all of Vakeeli. They’re centuries old and wield a lot of energy. Only the strongest Mythics who avoid dark energy sit up there. Though they’re highly respected, they like to be left alone. You’ll hardly ever see them. They’re hermits, sort of like Beatrix, and I can understand why. People get greedy. Demand things. Elders are the closest people we have to miracle workers. They can heal, create, protect entire territories. But there is only so much they can do at once. Too much energy used and they weaken.”
“Like Beatrix.” Willow’s eyes sadden and guilt develops, churning in my gut. Willow’s guilt.
“Sadly, yes. Like her.”
She nods, blinks quickly, then looks from the elder Mythics to the rest of the ballroom, drinking it all in. The guilt fades the more she observes.
“Would you like a drink?” I gesture to one of the counters.
She smiles. “Sure.”
“I’m going to find a few friends,” Juniper calls, already shuffling away. “Don’t wait up!”
I glance at Rowan, and as if he’s read my mind, he follows Juniper at a safe distance. She can have fun, but she still needs to be careful.
“I’ll find my girls as well,” Maeve announces. “You all have fun tonight, all right? Let’s make this a good one.” My aunt prances away, already spotting her cluster of women. There are about eight of them, all nearly the same age as Maeve and dressed in silks and feathers.
The Vigilante.
They seem much softer now compared to when I first met them as a teenager. Suppose their killing days are over and they’re making peace with life. Many of them have grandchildren now, according to Maeve.
“Killian, what will you do?” I ask. “You can stick with us if you want.”
Killian shifts on his feet and starts to speak, but something catches his eye and he locks on it. I look to where his attention has gone, and he’s focused on a woman standing at the bar.
She wears a silk gold gown, her hair in deep, dark waves that carry to her chest. She swirls a wine glass in one hand as she stares right back at Killian with smiling eyes, as if daring him to come over.
“I’ll be around,” Killian mumbles.
He takes off without looking back, leaving me alone with my gorgeous mate.
SIX
WILLOW
“That’s Hannie!” I watch Killian push through the crowd to meet her at the bar.
“Am I supposed to know who that is?” Caz asks.
“I met her when I went with Juniper to Iron Class. The first time we visited Vanora, remember? She’s a rebel.”
“Ah.” Caz raises his chin, scoping the ceiling. “I can see why Killian’s after her then.”
“She was there that night in Iron Class when the whole shootout thing happened.” Which I still can’t get over, by the way. I’d never seen so much chaos in one place. “Hannie took us to the party and got into a fight with some other Gilded guy named Tomán.”
“She’s Gilded?” Caz’s eyes stretch with surprise. “Fuck. That won’t end well.”
“Why not?”
“Because Gilded don’t get to choose who they belong to. Eventually—if it hasn’t happened already—she’ll be forced to marry some Gilded man to keep the bloodlines sacred. It’s what keeps them strong.”
I return my attention to Killian who towers over Hannie as she peers up at him with doe eyes. Then Hannie takes his hand and drags him away from the bar.
When they disappear, I can’t help smiling. I knew they had a thing for each other. I just hope it’s not as deep as it looks… for Killian’s sake.
“Come.” Caz holds on to my hand, leading the way to one of the less packed bars. The counters are made of glass and lined with gold. Drinks are stacked all over and apparently have a replenishing spell happening because every time the bartender pours from one of the bottles, the bottle instantly fills up again.
Caz orders a wine for me and a whiskey for himself, and we move away from the bar just as we notice Alora sashaying in our direction.
"Oh, my Regals. Look at you two!” she squeals, throwing her hands in the air.
“Look at us? Look at you,” I shoot back, smiling.