Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 109477 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109477 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
A smile worked at his lips. So adorable, he thought softly.
“But yes, that is the nature of our gods,” he added. “They delight in torment. They give you a boon and expect repayment in blood. Faerie is worth it, though. You’ll see. Within the brutality exists the truly magical. Even if it were a shithole, though, your family would be worth the sacrifice, would they not?”
Her gut twisted as she remembered what it had felt like to touch that diamond orb. What it had felt like when she’d been next to him at the door of the shanty, feeling the magic run through her. She very much believed him. If she was forced to hold on to that diamond orb, the effects would rip her apart.
But what was the alternative? Regardless of his issues, the Faegate was letting more fae and their magic through. If the Diamond Throne had unrest—and with meddling gods looking for entertainment, that would continue—that would get worse. It would endanger her home. It would put her family at risk, just like she had already.
She let out a slow breath, trying to still the nervous fear running through her body.
“How do I know you aren’t lying to me?” she asked.
“I told you, I cannot lie to you now.” He opened his mind to her, letting her feel the truth of his claims. His determination and his pain. His mortification at the life he was forced to live in the Obsidian Court and how he hoped to right that wrong. She could also feel the niggling fear deep down, something like what she was feeling right now. He didn’t know if he could accomplish his destiny, as he thought of it. He worried his failure would damn them all. We are all mortal with the right wound.
To even use Daisy as a chalice, he first had to free himself from the Obsidian Court. He wasn’t sure he could. He’d need her help to do it, and she was incredibly unqualified. She wasn’t arguing about that assessment, either. The other issue was that any fae could use the crystal chalice. She could help anyone boost their magic. The second they knew what she was, they’d seek to kill him and use her for themselves. Given they wouldn’t put the time and effort into learning how, they’d kill her while trying. The death would be grisly, and she wished she hadn’t learned that last bit.
“So, fuck, this is just a really shitty situation all around, then,” she surmised flippantly, pushing away from him and turning. Looking out at nothing. Letting her mind wander.
He thought this was a long shot, from start to finish, which was just a little funny in a dark, “I hate my life” sort of way, because she had a lot of experience with long shots—leaving her care home when she was too young to look after herself, helping keep a roof over their heads, keeping Mordie alive, and the big one…helping one Demigod overthrow his crazy dad with half as many forces and a sliver of the experience level. She’d been down this road before. She had faced, and helped beat, insurmountable odds. Every time, she’d done it to help her family. This time would be no different. Hell, maybe this time she’d be their savior.
Suck on that, Mordie. Your no-magic sister is going to save the magical people’s fucking day. Go ahead and tell Lexi I swore, too. I’d welcome a punch in the face right about now. It would feel better than the thought of what’s in store for me.
She sighed. He’d absolutely hate this for her. It would tear him apart. But she also knew he’d step up right beside her if he were here. He’d walk into the twilight with her without looking back. Any of her family would. In the same situation, each and every one of them would step forward.
“If I help you,” she said, “I want your guarantee that it will strengthen that Faegate. That it’ll keep my family safe. I want to strike a deal.”
They didn’t leave for another hour, hammering out the particulars. But once they did, she felt the gravity of the situation. She felt the uncertainty of the games yet to come.
Only one thing was left.
“So this feeling between us…” she said. “It is magic. Right? It’s because of the chalices and everything?”
His eyes roamed her face before settling on her lips. “I thought so at first, like I said. I thought it was meant to help me find you. And maybe that’s true. The gods do love to play their games. They made the fae in their image, cunning and vicious and ruthless, most of us. What better joke than to entice me with something I will eventually have to destroy and watch me struggle to do it? Regardless, this feeling, this need, is between you and me. It is ours. Our torment, maybe. The price I will pay for hurting you. The price you will pay for desiring your tormenter. I can envision their giggling about it now.” He put a hand on her cheek. “It might be magical, but it is solely ours. No other fae feel it the way we do, even though they have just as much of a connection to the chalice as I do. So, if it was the gods, it was meant distinctly for us. Just you and me. It is our gift…until it turns into our pain.”