Total pages in book: 401
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
The pink in Helenea’s cheeks deepened as she nodded her agreement. “Y-yes, you are correct.”
Did her tone sound a little more…breathy? Interesting.
“We need to start with Croft’s Cross.” Casteel’s gaze shifted to Lord Murin and then to Sven. “Have both of your regiments begin checking the residents there.” His stare moved to the dark-haired Elemental general. “La’Sere, you will check Lowertown and then the Garden District.”
“You want to leave the Garden District until after Lowertown?” A frown pulled at Gayla’s brows. She glanced back at General Aylard. “The Garden District populace is greater than Lowertown’s.”
“It is,” he replied. “But considering those who live in this area of the Garden District, I am sure we would’ve been alerted to any activity—even a slight inconvenience—by now.”
Kieran snorted quietly as Alaric smirked.
“Aylard, I want you on the Rise and beyond,” Casteel continued.
The general surprisingly nodded without argument. Then again, someone with a dick was giving the orders.
I shifted, knocking my left forearm against the hard arm of the chair. I winced at the flare of dull pain.
A second later, Casteel’s presence bore down on me through the notam. How is your arm, my Queen?
It’s fine, I assured him. There was barely a mark from where the grul had gotten a hold of me, and it only hurt when I smacked it into something.
“What are we to say when asked about what we’re doing?” Sven questioned, his empty hand resting on the table. “I know Lizeth has been telling those in Stonehill that there was an incident, but if word has spread beyond there, just saying it was an incident won’t suffice.”
“If I may?” Alaric spoke up as I resumed stroking Delano’s head when he bumped my hand. The Descenter continued at Casteel’s nod. “I think it would be wise to do what the Blood Crown never did. Tell them the truth about what the Ascended have done.”
“It wasn’t the Ascended,” I said.
Both Helenea’s and Alaric’s postures went rigid, and bitter distrust swiftly rose within them.
Reaver lifted his diamond-shaped head from where it rested between his forelegs, the sharpened tips of his horns along the top of his head nearly grazing the ceiling.
“Then who was responsible?” the brother demanded, a challenge clear in his voice. “If not—” Alaric stiffened even further as Reaver puffed out a breath, stirring the hair along the back of Alaric’s head. “If not for the Ascended?” he finished in a tone much more subdued.
I exhaled slowly. We had decided not to broach the subject of Kolis with mortals who had never heard of him. I hadn’t completely agreed with it, but it had made sense.
But that was yesterday before Kolis forced our hands with his actions in Stonehill.
Kieran looked at me and then Casteel as several pairs of eyes landed on us. Clearly, we needed to talk.
A thought occurred to me. We were Joined, were we not? Shouldn’t we be able to communicate at the same time together? I reached out through the notam, first finding Casteel’s pine-and-spice mark and then the woodsy, earthy one belonging to Kieran.
Can you both hear me?
Yes. Kieran answered first. Then, Casteel confirmed he could, as well. Kieran frowned. Are we all…?
I didn’t know if it would work, but apparently, it does, I said, aware of everyone watching us. Except for Reaver. After likely frightening Alaric half to death, he’d lowered his head. I agree that we shouldn’t start by telling the people of Solis a lie—one that could be exposed anytime if Kolis makes his presence known.
There is a chance they will never learn about Kolis, Kieran responded.
That would require us taking him out, and that’s kind of difficult when we can only assume he’s at Pensdurth, I reasoned, scratching Delano behind his ear. While risking Kolis imposing his will again.
She has a point, Casteel responded.
Kieran was quiet for a moment. There will be a lot of questions.
That’s okay. I slid a sidelong glance at him. You can answer any Helenea may have.
“Helenea?” Kieran spoke aloud, sitting straighter.
My eyes widened, and I slowly turned my head to Kieran while Casteel chuckled under his breath.
“Yes?” she asked.
Realizing that he’d responded out loud, the color in his cheeks deepened. He cleared his throat as Delano huffed out a laugh from between Cas and me. Kieran shot a glare in the wolven’s general direction. “I assume you agree with Alaric about telling the truth?”
Nice cover, I sent him, sarcasm dripping from the two words.
Kieran stared ahead. You are in so much trouble.
“Yes.” Her brows furrowed as she glanced at her brother. “Of course…” She trailed off, clearly waiting for Kieran to say more.
He had nothing else to say.
Deciding to save him, I leaned forward. “As someone who was raised in the Blood Crown’s lies, I also agree with the sentiment. Which is why I’ve told you the truth. The Ascended are not responsible for this. They’re not even capable of it. He is,” I said, unable to speak his name. Doing so made me suddenly too aware of every inch of my body, and I hated that. I pulled my hand from Delano’s head and gripped the arm of the chair. I refused to be that affected by a god I’d never met. “Kolis.”