Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 162269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 541(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 162269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 541(@300wpm)
“Just so that you know,” I said loudly, “I accept your invitation to claim you against all who might wish your stiff cock.”
His body gave a mild jolt before he tipped his head back and roared with laughter.
And there…
For in all his care of me, I had not forgotten he had lost too.
Thus, a smile playing at my lips that I had managed to return the gift of a short respite that my man had given me, I turned again and headed with dread, but less of it than I could have felt, to where we would build the pyres.
Princess Serena
Northeast Border
THE ENCHANTMENTS
After the task was complete, as she strode from the pyres, she saw Chu where he had been sitting for some time, cross-legged in the grass, his back against a tree, his sword across his lap.
His eyes on her.
In fact, his eyes had been on her the entire time she helped her sisters erect the pyres.
She ignored him through this (as she had been ignoring him since their conversation the evening after the Battle of Heights, though it was hard to do so, especially when he fought at her side the day before—fortunately, that battle had been short).
Serena also ignored him as she strode toward the tent where she was sleeping, as her treehome was in the heart of The Enchantments, some forty miles away, and she was sticking by her queen, and her queen was not moving from the rift.
This was disappointing, she wished to show her treehome to Gal and Brix.
But as her queen was here, this was where Serena would be.
She did not, however, ignore Heloise, her lieutenant who, along with Genia, her other lieutenant, and Darma, her mentor, had ridden to the border upon hearing it had been breached.
And now, they stood huddled, some twenty feet away.
Serena did not ignore Heloise for Heloise broke off from the others and approached.
She stopped and waited for her friend to arrive.
It was with a heavy heart, but not surprise, when Heloise did not delay launching right in.
“You build Jasmine’s pyre?” she asked snidely.
In her thirty-two years on that earth, Serena had learned very recently she did not know very much.
But in that moment, she knew that did not matter.
For she knew she needed to act solely on what was important in the now.
Her mother was dead.
Her only remaining blood, her sister, faced grave challenges on multiple fronts.
And her sister had not only forgiven profound affronts, even with the history Serena had created between them, without delay and without hesitation, she had settled her trust on Serena’s shoulders.
Indeed, before they began building Jasmine’s and Rosehana’s pyres, Elena had taken Serena aside and said, “We will travel to Sky Bay soon, to regroup after these battles but also for my wedding. And if you will have the post, I would wish you to be my top general in this war we wage with the Airenzian against the Airenzian. And as such, I would have you by my side.”
Serena hesitated nary a second in assuming that command.
She knew instantly her decision was the right one, for she watched her sister’s eyes grow moist before Elena nodded and moved away.
And Serena no longer felt confusion or alarm at the feelings that came to her in the new bent of decisions she was making.
For her sister had lost a sister.
And Serena was giving her a new one.
And that felt right.
So, she was moving on, choosing family and nation above all else.
As her mother would do.
As her sister would do.
Thus now, this, with Heloise, she would not do.
And as such, her reply was simple, and obvious, for Heloise, with the others, had watched her do it.
“Yes. I helped to build Jasmine’s pyre.”
With that, she turned to regain her path to her tent.
Heloise moved to stand in front of her, forcing Serena again to stop.
“She died fighting with Airenzian for Airen,” Heloise stated.
“I know. I was there. Fighting with Airenzian for Airen,” Serena returned.
Heloise’s face twisted before she hid it and asked, jerking her head in Chu’s direction, “Who is that man who follows you?”
“He was the love of my life before he was lost to me.”
Heloise did not attempt to hide her disgusted shock before she whispered, “The love of your life?”
“Yes,” Serena confirmed.
“A man?” Heloise queried.
And Serena’s patience slipped. “Yes, sister, your eyes are not deceiving you. He is indeed a man. Very much so.”
“Who you loved,” she stated with disbelief.
“Who I loved,” Serena stated with conviction.
Heloise now appeared confused. “How is he lost to you when he’s sitting fifteen feet away?”
“It’s a long story,” Serena mumbled.
“As it is clear you do not wish to share it, fine then,” Heloise retorted. “But now tell me, why do you travel with gnats?”
Oh no.
Bloody no.
Serena’s back shot straight as fire scorched through her veins.
This reaction must have registered on her face as well as in her body for Heloise took a step back.