Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 121339 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121339 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
“No, it’s fine. They aren’t that bad. Compared to Circus Tent Martha, they are downright amazing. Seriously—” She cut off at the next selection, not really understanding the gold chain draping down the side like he were some eighties pop singer, but the diamond-crusted bling would go a long way toward helping people forget the hitch in fashion.
“Are you kidding?” He fingered the chain and huffed, leaning heavily in irritation. “Which, then? This or the other. I don’t want to have to change my trews.”
She didn’t know what trews were but laughed at his antics. The clothes were so different, but the dedication to fashion spoke to her. Made her feel like there was a piece of her life, her home, with them right then.
“That one,” she said. “We can figure out the buttons on the other one another time.”
He nodded and headed into a room to the side. On closer inspection, it was an enormous closet.
“Dressing chambers,” he supplied, as if there was some great difference.
“So…” Two things were on the tip of her tongue, and one she wanted to think about in much more detail, so she voiced the second. “What did the princess do to you last time you were here?”
He jerked as though struck, facing an ornate mirror. His arms stopped moving where he was fiddling with something on his jacket. His back expanded with a deep breath before releasing.
“Something that happens more often than anyone at this court knows. I’d rather not speak about it. It’s enough that I have to endure it. Given the sort of…actions I will need you to do in order to goad her, though, I suppose I have to.” He turned, his eyes haunted. “But not right now. When I got word you were being taken from the dungeons, I was in the middle of some important business. I need to return to it.”
Her heart quickened. She hadn’t had time to think about it right then, but part of her had wondered if his meeting them had been a coincidence or a safety precaution. She was happy to know it was the latter. It made her feel much less alone in this strange place.
He came to stand in front of her, his eyes deep, delving into hers. “No, you are not alone, my treasure. But remember, Daisy, I cannot always come for you. If you had been admitted into the king’s chambers, I wouldn’t have been able to save you. Nor if the other royals took you. You need to watch out for yourself. It is the nature of this court. Neither of us have any alternative.”
Something the guards had said flashed through her memory: Tarianthiel couldn’t hurt them. Magic stopped him.
Of course he wouldn’t be able to kill the royalty and blast his way out of this place. If he were trapped, the first thing they’d do was prevent him from taking down his jailors and freeing himself. That was just logic.
You grant your own salvation, Zorn always said. Do not wait to be saved. Save yourself.
Suddenly she didn’t know if she’d thought of that because of her own predicament…or because of Tarian’s.
“Someday, I’d like to meet this Zorn,” Tarian said, interrupting her whirling thoughts. His gaze drifted down to her lips. “I must go.”
He spared a moment to kiss her softly. As he pulled away, she had an insane desire to clutch on to him and keep him put. To coax those lips open and feel what was beneath the fine clothing.
His lips pulled into a teasing smile. “Clearly, I should’ve fucked you in the dungeon.” Fire raced through her core, and he winked. “I’ll return as quickly as I can. You’ll be staying here now. Given my…status and role within this court, I have a lesser noble’s quarters. I don’t have a lot of space, and certainly not a spare room for you.”
This was paradise compared to the house she and Mordecai had originally shared with Lexi. He’d lose his shit if he ever saw that. Except for the plumbing situation, of course. She’d trade it all for good plumbing.
“You are welcome to my bed,” he finished.
“Where will you sleep?”
“On the side you don’t choose. You are also welcome to have the floor.” A smirk twisted his lips. “I might even try to find you a blanket.”
She huffed. “So chivalrous.”
“As always. I do not have traditional servants. I have only my Fallen. One or two of them will be here to attend to you shortly. They will let themselves in. They are the only ones who can. Do not open the door. Not for any reason. Not for anyone. You are in Faerie, now, little pet. Fae are tricky. Some can take on the voices of trusted allies. Others might take on their shape. Always look at the eyes. The eyes do not lie. If you can’t see the eyes, do not trust the voice. Okay? Rest. Test the mind shield on the Fallen and see if it works. I’m interested to see if they can hear your thoughts as easily as I can.” He kissed her forehead. “Protect your mind so that I may protect you.”