Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 119158 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119158 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
I stepped closer to him, panic growing in my chest to where it was nearly impossible to breathe. “Why aren’t you going to the palace with me?”
“Because I’m expecting to meet up with someone when we reach the palace, and Orian can’t suffer through any more delays. Word has spread that I’m in the city. It means the killer is going to be more desperate and take more risks.”
“I don’t like this.”
Nylian reached up with both hands and cupped my cheeks as he pressed his forehead against mine. “I won’t die. We have a very long life to build together that will scare and confuse so many people. I’m not willing to miss out on that. You carry all my hope and trust with you. Please, save my brother for me.”
A thousand and one curses climbed over the sudden lump in my throat, but I didn’t utter a single one of them. How was I supposed to deny him anything when he said something like that?
“Okay,” I choked out. “I’ll do it. For you.”
“Thank you.”
Nylian released me and I took a step back so that I could look him in the eyes. “But I’m warning you, if anything happens to you while I’m in the castle, I swear to whatever gods may be that I will destroy anyone who touches you. Fire and brimstone. Death and destruction. Even if it means using the rest of my life to learn the darkest magic in existence, I will burn down this world if I lose you.”
My lover didn’t even blink an eye at my threats. “Agreed.”
With nothing more to say, we left our temporary hiding spot and continued to the castle. We encountered more assassins, but far fewer than we’d run into so far. The elegant palace that stretched higher than every other building within the city shone like a great white beacon in the rising sunlight. Crystals sparkled from some of the tree limbs, catching the light and reflecting it as if the tree had given birth to tiny stars and had yet to cast them into the heavens.
And in front of the castle stood an elf with long brown hair and a grim expression. He gripped a sword in his hand. Four other palace guards flanked him, proving in an instant where their allegiance lay. There was a faint similarity in his eyes and nose to Nylian, but the elf appeared younger, as if he were barely out of his teens. His features were sharp, but held almost a rough and ragged edge to them, unlike the clean lines of Nylian’s visage. It left me feeling that the artist who’d carved this elf hadn’t been done when he was born.
“Jandar,” Nylian called out as we drew closer. “I had it narrowed to you and Lorsan as Orian’s murderer, but you were always my favorite choice. When it comes to underhanded tricks like poison, that seems most like your kind of weapon. Killing a person face-to-face takes a bit more bravery than you possess.”
This was Nylian’s so-called plan for luring out the killer? Making himself a target?
The elf was getting such a shaking the moment this was fucking over.
“Exile was too good for you. Just more proof that you’re Father’s favorite son,” Jandar sneered. He sliced his blade restlessly through the air. “But that’s okay. Rumors have spread that Orian isn’t dead. Hanging on by a thread, actually.” His wicked grin twisted his features, making him hideous to behold. “A thread that is getting cut as we speak. And after I’m done with you, the king will have lost two sons and the queen will be rendered a useless old relic. I wouldn’t be surprised if she tosses herself from a tower before the day is out.”
“Lockhart, go now,” Nylian ordered in a low voice.
“What?” I gasped.
“I’ll protect you. Go!”
I didn’t argue. There was no point. We were out of time. Someone was trying to kill Orian while we were stuck outside with Jandar. If I didn’t get inside now, he wouldn’t have a chance to wake up.
But leaving meant abandoning Nylian in a fight of five against one. Even as weak as I was in swordplay, I was at least a little help. My heart screamed at the unfairness of it all, but I could only do what my love asked of me. And right now, he was asking me to save his brother’s life.
With a roar ripping from my throat, I ran straight for the entrance the guards were stubbornly blocking with Prince Jandar. Nylian was right at my side, moving to intercept them as they raised their swords to cut me down.
Thankfully, I had one trick up my sleeve, courtesy of Adeline. While blocking two attempted strikes, I reached into a hidden pocket and pulled out a tiny piece of folded white paper. As I ducked under a slice aimed at my neck, I flung the paper at two guards so that it opened just as it neared their faces. A yellowish-white power filled the air in a toxic cloud, smacking them in the eyes.