Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 139662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 698(@200wpm)___ 559(@250wpm)___ 466(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 698(@200wpm)___ 559(@250wpm)___ 466(@300wpm)
“Pretha and Kane know. I tried to hide it, but they’ve known me too long and too well. The days following a spell, my strength rebuilds, and I feel okay again.” His gaze drops to the blankets. “But I was powerless to help while those fire fae attacked. I couldn’t defend the city or get to you. I couldn’t do anything. If you were endangered in the mountains while I was having another spell, if you were hurt or captured because my magic failed me?” He shakes his head. “I don’t want to risk that.”
“Will the priestess be able to fix it—whatever’s wrong with you?”
“She’s not a healer, but I hope she’ll be able to identify what’s happening. If we know that, perhaps we can find a solution.”
“You don’t sound confident.”
“Each time I’ve had one of these episodes, I’m surprised to wake up the next morning. I keep expecting . . .”
My stomach twists painfully. “You think you’re going to fall into sleep, like the children.”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
I wish he’d look at me. I suddenly need the reassurance of those silver eyes on mine. “Is it happening to anyone else?”
“No one has spoken of it, but I can’t exactly go around letting everyone know that their prince is—”
“Dying,” I whisper. “You think you’re dying.”
“Maybe.” The word is rough, like it’s jammed in his throat and he has to force it out. “In an ideal situation, the rulers of our lands will never die. They will simply choose to pass on to the Twilight. When rulers approach the time to pass their power to their heir, there are signs that force their hand. It’s believed that the gods do this so the courts don’t grow stagnant, so that no one ruler has power for too long. My father was nearing his time when he passed his power to you, and everything I remember, everything I’ve read about it sounds uncomfortably similar to what I’m experiencing.”
“We’ll fix it,” I whisper. My eyes feel suddenly hot and wet. “We’ll find a cure for you and the children. We’ll figure this out.”
When he finally looks at me, he treats me to a soft smile, but it never meets his eyes. “As much as I appreciate your concern, that’s not your job. I’m only telling you because I want you to understand that I might not be able to protect you—especially if Sebastian doesn’t bend on the bond.”
“I understand.” I swallow. “But I’m not worried about myself.”
His brows draw together. “We very nearly lost you—again. If they’d gotten a goblin to take you to Arya instead of taking you through those mountains, or if Sebastian had arrived an hour later . . .”
“I’m not staying behind, Finn.” I wrap my hand around his arm, and power flares inside me, filling me up. I gasp at the strength of it and watch as his lips part. He said it’s different for him—not a flare, but a connection.
“We will travel to Staraelia on horseback, so consider the physical toll of the journey as well.”
“We won’t use goblins?”
“No. In part because that becomes difficult when traveling with a group, but more so because of the perceptions. In many parts of this land, goblins aren’t trusted, and traveling with their magic can send the wrong impression.”
“I can handle it, and I promise not to put Oberon’s power at risk. I will be as well-behaved as your wolves. Just let me come.”
His lips part and his nostrils flare in exasperation. “You truly think my primary concern is my father’s power.”
“Well, yes.” I shrug. “I can’t blame you for that.”
He cups my jaw in one big hand and skims his thumb across my bottom lip. A shiver runs through me and I lock my gaze with his. “I think we should try to seek an audience with the priestess without you.”
“You—”
He presses his thumb against my lips, silencing me. “But the decision is yours. All I ask is that you’re honest about how you feel, and if we need to delay by a day or two, then we will. I have other reasons for wanting to be present for Lunastal, but if we need to, we can go straight to the priestess.” As if suddenly realizing how intimate his touch is, he drops his hand and stands. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Finn,” I say, stopping him before he reaches the door.
He turns, his dark brow arched. “Yes, Princess.”
I fold my arms and give him the most self-assured smirk I can manage. “Use your thumb to stop me from speaking again, and I will bite it.”
His smile is slow and wicked, but it brings light into his eyes that I’m hungry to see. “Is that supposed to be a threat?”
I grab a pillow and launch it at him, but he disappears, and it falls to the ground.