Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 109099 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109099 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Part of me hated going back to the “human world” or the “Mortal Realm” as they called it, but I was certainly in better shape than I had been the night before. I was well-fed and well rested, despite a night of bizarre dreams. And now that I was clean and looking more respectable, maybe I could take another stab at finding a job.
So, rather regretfully, I made my way to the back of the cavern and slipped into the dark mouth of the long tunnel.
It was time to go home—or at least back to my minivan.
15
Lily
My soft slippers made no noise on the cold stone floor but I found I could see in the dark tunnel much better than I had the night before. When Krynn and Seldarin had led me back to the Cavern of Lolth, we had been moving in pitch blackness. Now, though it still seemed just as dark, I was able to make out most of what was around me.
There wasn’t much to see—just a hallway which appeared to be carved through solid white marble—which just seemed extravagant to me. Was the whole Fae Palace made of the stuff? How much had that cost?
The marble countertop we’d had back in the house in Asheville had been extremely expensive—I remembered feeling so excited when Christopher showed it to me along with the rest of the house. Of course, I hadn’t had any idea then that he was probably already planning to move some other woman in there—someone younger and prettier and presumably better in bed—than me.
I tried to push the bitter thoughts aside. Here I was, making my winding way through the bowels of an honest-to-God fairytale palace and I was still thinking about my ex? That was stupid. Still, the feelings of betrayal and hurt ran deep and it was with some effort that I pushed Christopher and his little blonde girlfriend out of my head.
My handful of berries was long gone and I was wishing I had brought more when I finally reached the end of the tunnel and the small door which I was sure led into the huge, mirrored room Krynn had led us through the night before.
I put my ear to the door but heard nothing. Good—I should be able to just slip right out and hopefully make my way quietly out of the palace. If anyone caught me, I’d pretend to be a servant, I decided. Hadn’t Krynn said something about being a servant when he first came here? Hopefully I could pull off the deception if anyone asked.
I pushed carefully against the door, but it was stiff and didn’t want to give. Gritting my teeth, I pushed harder—then harder still. I could feel the door starting to open but it was made of stone and really heavy—clearly I needed to use more force.
Taking a few steps back, I rushed forward and rammed my shoulder against the stubborn door, throwing my whole weight into the effort.
The door gave at last. With a sudden jerk, it popped open and I lurched forward, carried by the force of my momentum into the center of the room. I tripped, stumbled, and landed on my knees.
I had a moment to realize that the huge room with the mirrored walls was not in fact, empty. It was actually crowded with people—not just people though—tall, gorgeous Dark Fae.
And all of them were staring at me.
16
Lily
“What in the name of Lolth? Who is this wretched creature?”
The voice was coming from above me, since I had fallen on my knees. Looking up, I saw an elegant Dark Fae woman with smooth, dark platinum skin and pure white hair which was swirled elegantly around her perfect features. She towered over me and her exquisite face was wrinkled into an expression of distain.
Looking around, I saw that all of the Dark Fae were looking at me the same way—as though I was a disgusting roach that had somehow appeared in the middle of their elegant picnic.
“Bring her forward—let me see her.” This voice was familiar. Looking over, I saw that it was Mordren—the Fae with the bluish-purple eyes speaking. He was the only one sitting while everyone else stood. There was the huge silver throne I had seen in the clearing last night behind him and his own seat was a smaller version of it.
He motioned and two Fae guards came and dragged me to my feet. Then they yanked me forward, forcing me to almost run to keep up with their long strides.
Mordren held up one slender, elegant hand long before I got close to his mini throne.
“That’s quite close enough! I don’t wish to catch anything,” he said to the guards. Then he narrowed his eyes at me. “What manner of creature are you? Your skin isn’t quite the right shade and you’re too short to be a true Dark Fae but you don’t look human either. What are you crossed with, half-breed?”