Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 116396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Thank you. I stormed out of my room and righted my helmet on my head.
Commander Brutus was hot on my tail. “Your Highness, where are you going?”
“To get my husband.”
“His orders were to wait—”
“I don’t wait.” I turned around and faced him head on. “Huntley should have been here by now. He’s not—so I am going to go get him. Just as he would go get me. I’m taking the dragons, and I’ll burn that place to the fucking ground until I find him.”
“His orders were very clear. If he didn’t return, we move forward and take the Capital.”
“You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?” I snapped. “I’m going to save my husband, and you can’t stop me. Get in my way, and I’ll cut your fucking head off.” I stormed off again, and this time, he didn’t follow me.
I made it out of the city and down to the field, where both dragons were waiting. Storm still had blood around his snout from the last sheep he’d eaten. Pyre had wiped off the evidence of his lunch on the grass. “Let’s go.” I climbed on top of Pyre and held on to the pommel. “Head northeast.”
Pyre leaped from the earth, the shift of his weight like a tidal wave through all my bones. Then we were in the sky, the blue ceiling coming down on me like rain. Storm was there too, his cobalt-blue scales contrasting against the pines below.
Pyre kept low to the ground just above the trees, and the three of us searched for signs of Huntley’s army. I’d been to Supertine before, but never from Eagleton, so I didn’t exactly know the way. But if we traveled northeast, we’d be able to see it up ahead.
I see something.
“What?”
An army. Far into the distance.
“Get closer.”
He flapped his wings hard and flew at full speed, crossing the earth quicker than a crow could fly. We traveled leagues in minutes, and my less powerful eyes could finally see what Pyre saw long ago.
An army was headed our way.
When we came nearer, Pyre glided down, getting close enough for us to see but not close enough to put us in danger.
I saw it—the feather crest on his chest. “It’s him. Oh, thank the gods.”
Pyre glided down until we landed on the grass. Storm continued to fly around.
I slid down his scales to the ground and ran to Huntley across the empty space that divided us.
Huntley dismounted his horse, removed his helmet, and watched me run at him at full speed. There was no smile, just his commanding blue eyes.
I ran into his chest and immediately circled my arms around his neck.
His hand was immediately on my ass, his mouth kissing me like we were alone together. He groped me right in front of his men as if he didn’t give a damn who saw. His mouth devoured mine, and once he was finished, he gave my ass a hard smack. “I told you to wait for me.” His blue eyes pierced mine, showing their anger along with their power.
“I don’t care. I was worried.”
“Eagleton is under our rule?”
“Yes.”
“And you killed the duke?”
I stared.
He stared back.
“Will you take Storm back or—”
“So, it’s impossible for you to do as I ask.” His eyes shifted back and forth between mine, furious.
“You knew what you signed up for when you married me.” I stepped away. “Don’t act surprised.”
“I’m surprised that you could convince my commander to disregard my orders as well.”
“I threatened to kill him, so…”
His gaze hardened.
“Are you taking Storm?”
“No. I’ll ride back with my men.”
“Alright.” I turned away, knowing this fight would continue once he reached Eagleton. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
I heard him before I saw him. “Were my orders unclear?” His voice echoed off the stone of the keep, was loud enough to snuff out any nearby lit candles. He seemed to be downstairs, but the power of his voice rose all the way to the next floor. “Kill the duke. And not let my wife leave. Pretty simple fucking instructions.”
I rushed down the stairs and found him in the foyer, Commander Brutus standing with his arms behind his back. “Huntley, leave him alone.”
My husband didn’t look at me. “I can’t rule the Kingdoms if I can’t trust my own men.”
“You told me to take Eagleton while you took Supertine, which means I’m in charge. Or am I wrong?”
After a loud breath, Huntley turned to look at me.
“Or am I wrong?” I repeated.
He stayed quiet.
“Commander Brutus serves me in your absence, which means he takes orders from me, not you. If you want me to stay your queen, then you’ll need to learn to share power, to respect my decisions, and to not barge in here like you own the place—because I own it too.” I turned to Commander Brutus. “You’re dismissed.”