Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
“It’s everyone’s fight, but yes, Caspian is an important factor,” Korah responds.
“How about I do you one better?” A voice rises from a distance, and Korah smirks, not daring to move, as Danica and I crane our necks to find the voice.
Like a stallion decked in gold armor, Hassha strides across the field to meet us. Her ivory skirt gives her a feminine touch, and her sandals are strappy, climbing all the way to her calves. Her midsection is exposed, revealing a strong set of abs.
A few giggles catch my attention, and I spot Minka and Maia running onto the field too with Carra and Milandra trailing behind.
“Hassha,” Danica says, breathless. It seems no matter how much she blames Hassha too, she still admires her. Still worships her in a way. Perhaps it’s because she’s a Kessel descendant and it’s rooted in their blood.
Hassha gives Danica a gentle smile as she places a hand on her shoulder. “You can fight alongside the Kessel warriors, just like your mother once did.”
Danica’s lips move like she wants to say yes but stop like she’s changed her mind. “I’d rather fight for Monarch Harlow. At least he isn’t a traitor.” She turns her nose up at Hassha, yanking away.
Hmm. I digress. She’s just as pissed at her as she is at Korah.
Hassha looks Danica over. “In this state, you won’t even be able to witness the war. You’ll be dead long before that.”
“And whose fault is that?” Danica retorts.
“You are upset, Danica, and you have every right to be,” Hassha says, “but we need your skills, and you cannot let them go to waste because of your anger. I’ve read your mind thoroughly, and I know dying this way isn’t what you want, no matter how heartbroken you are. If there was a way we could save Warren, we would have done it, and you know it. I never betray my women. Ever. It is my duty to do what’s best in order to protect them.” Hassha’s eyes flicker with a spark of blue. “I can heal you today and swear you into the Kessel tribe. That is a dream of yours, correct? Ever since you were a little girl, all you wanted was to become a warrior like your mother. I can give that to you, give you a family who loves you. You’ll never be alone again.”
Danica’s glances at Hassha before focusing on the twins who are collecting flowers and stuffing them into a woven basket Carra is holding.
After several silent, thick seconds, Danica says, “Fine.”
Hassha smiles. “Very good.” She then puts her attention on me. A prickle scatters across my brain, and I wince. “Change of heart?”
“Guess so.”
She provides a curt nod. “Wise choice. I have something for you.” When Hassha lifts her hand, a gold urn appears in her palm.
My eyes stretch as she hands it to me. I study the sleek urn, catching my reflection in it. Warren’s full name is engraved on the side, and the sight of it brings tears to my eyes.
Danica gasps. “Is that Warren?”
“It is,” Hassha answers. “I promised Willow I’d bring the ashes to her.”
Danica’s eyes shimmer.
“You’ll help me decide what to do with him,” I promise her.
Her throat bobs. Then she nods, forcing a smile at me.
I’m not sure how to feel about having the ashes. On one hand, a part of me is still angry that he’s gone. On the other, I’m glad I have something left of my brother.
I swivel my gaze to Hassha’s, blinking my tears away and shoving the anger aside. “Thank you, Hassha.”
She gives me a nod and a warm smile.
“Willow!” Maia runs my way, throwing her arms around my waist. I laugh, holding the urn up a bit as Minka joins her. They bury their faces into my stomach, and Hassha laughs, grabbing the urn from me so it doesn’t fall out of my hands.
“Hi, girls.” I squat and hug them back.
“Do you want to collect seashells with us?” Minka asks. “Blackwater has the best kind.”
“Will you? Please?” Maia pleads with rosy cheeks.
I laugh. “Sure.”
“I’ll have this delivered to your home,” Hassha says, gesturing to the urn.
“Thanks.”
“Yes!” Maia hisses, elated. “Come on.” They grab my wrists and drag me across the field.
“Make sure you’re careful in the water,” Hassha calls after us.
“Don’t worry,” I call back. “I’ll keep an eye on them.”
Hassha sends me a grateful smile before handing the urn to Milandra and then facing Danica. The last thing I see before we’re dipping between the trees is her placing both hands on Danica’s shoulders.
When we’ve passed a thicket, Minka says, “Where’s Caz?”
Maia instantly blushes, and I suppress a smile. She still has a little crush on him.
“He’s around,” I answer, not really knowing myself. “Somewhere.”
“Why aren’t you with him?” Curiosity burns in Maia’s voice.