Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
My heart beats faster, my hands are sweating, and I wish to rub the face paint off me in hope that my unsightliness would postpone the wedding.
“There must be something I can do. He wouldn’t be this lovely to me at times if he could just force me, right?”
Vinia gives a little chuckle, but it sounds sad rather than joyful. “Kyranis can behave when he wants to, certainly. He’s always been a charming man, but he gets bored easily. Still, he likes the decorum of courtship, so as long as you remain docile, your relationship should remain… acceptable. Yes, that’s the word I was looking for,” she tells me with a little sigh. “So don’t worry too much. Just don’t make him angry.”
Well, I’m already angry. I clench my fists, wishing to rip off the stupid cape. “I’m not docile,” I grit out through my teeth.
“Oh,” she says and stares at me as if she was the one out of options in her pretty dress made of fabrics lighter than air. “Well, then you’ll need to pretend.”
As if that’s an appropriate solution!
“I still have a little time. There must be a way out of here, right? Please. I know I’m nothing to you, but I don’t want to end up on someone’s leash.” Metaphorically or literally.
She steps away from me, looking even younger than she likely is. “I… I can’t do that.”
But she is the only one I can ask for help, and if I can’t convince her now, all will be lost.
“Please… aren’t you a member of the royal family?”
Vinia lowers her gaze. “Yes, but I don’t want him to think I’m not supportive. He’s already suspicious about our branch of the family when all we’re saying is that the Dark Companions shouldn’t be the only weapon against Heartbreak.”
I have to take a deep breath, but it does nothing to calm the rattle of my heart. “If you just show me the way, you could tell them I ran away. That you tried to fight me. You could be the one to alert them, if you just give me some guidance. I know the forest is dangerous.”
She pales, frowns, licks her pink lips, and finally meets my eyes. “Maybe… I suppose if you went by sea… I don’t think Kyranis would even think to look for you there,” she says, and I can almost see the calculations in her eyes.
I grasp her hand, hoping that I can prove to her with touch that I’m a person made of flesh and bone, not just someone to be used for their shadow. “I would never forget your help.” I don’t know how to avoid Kyranis finding me again in the human world, but the imminent danger of our union is much more pressing.
I briefly think about a year of my absence passing, and while my mother is likely delighted that I’m no longer “mooching” off her, AKA living in her house and paying rent for the room I use, I imagine Kurt, and some of my other acquaintances are worried about my disappearance.
I did want to start a new life, in a new place, yes, but not like this!
Vinia swallows, then grabs me by the wrist and leads me to a large cabinet standing alongside the wall. I’m stunned when she reaches onto the top shelf, and the heavy piece of furniture moves, revealing that it’s hiding a door.
“You will follow this corridor until you reach a crossing. Go left, and then through the caves. I’ll make sure there’s a boat waiting for you on the other side. Follow the shoreline until you reach the passage into your world.”
I’m so grateful I want to kiss her dainty hands, but there’s no time for such displays, nor do I know if they would be appreciated in the first place, so I pull on my long cape and wrap it around my forearm, so it’s not a hindrance.
My heart is cold when I step into the dark passage, and she seems ready to shut the hidden door behind me when I clear my throat.
“W—where’s the light?”
Her mouth opens into an O, and she reaches past me, pulling a lantern off a little hook. Moments later, it starts glowing with a bright golden flame, so different from the green ones I’ve become familiar with. “Here. Keep it close. It will make your shadow bond weaker, and you will be hard for Kyranis to find. It will give you more time. Take care of yourself. And remember, on the crossing, go left, and then straight ahead through the caves.”
“I will never forget this,” I say to her with my heart about to leap out of my chest, but there’s no time to waste. Reiner could be coming back any second.
I take the first step down, then another, while Vinia pulls the cabinet into place with a metallic screech of finality.