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)
One of the Three Kings.
Because he had wings. They were folded against his body but not completely tucked away. He’d flown right into HeartHolme without anyone noticing—and had taken the queen by the throat.
Neither one of us knew what to do. We were both in such shock.
The king was garbed in armor similar to ours, most of his skin hidden from view, but he had hard features just like Bastian. High cheekbones. Sunken eyes. A jawline clenched tight. He was taller and bigger than Ian, and that was terrifying, considering my brother was a pretty big guy.
Even two against one, we didn’t stand a chance.
Queen Rolfe spoke despite the cut it caused to her throat. “Run. Now.”
Ian was rooted to the spot.
So was I.
Queen Rolfe spoke again. “Ian…that’s an order.”
He ignored her pleas. “Release her.”
With unblinking eyes, he stared. “Open the gates.”
It was either the discomfort of the blade or the fear for her son’s life that caused her breaths to deepen.
Ian kept his eyes on Necrosis. “I will if you let her go.”
“No—” She sucked in a hard breath when he pressed the blade harder into her neck.
“Open the gate first.” His voice was deep like a man’s, but it had an animal quality to it, like a wolf that had learned to speak but couldn’t quite master it.
“Ian.” Blood dripped down her neck. “I’d rather die—so let him kill me and run.”
If only I could sink my blade into his flesh, this would all be over. Regardless of how powerful he was, my blade should be more powerful. But her body blocked every good shot.
Ian’s intellectual ability was completely compromised by the situation. He saw his mother in duress, and all he could do was respond emotionally. I didn’t blame him, but it was bad for all of us. “I’ll open the gate.” He backed away.
Queen Rolfe started to fight her restraints, as if she were trying to get killed. “No! Don’t let them in, Ian!”
The king shut her up by slicing her across the cheek.
Another one stepped out of the hallway—another king.
Now it was two on two. We didn’t stand a chance.
The second one moved toward us and stopped, as if he expected us to lead the way to the gate.
Ian backed away, and so did I.
Queen Rolfe started to weep. “I’m not worth it. I’m not worth what they’ll do to our people.”
We stepped out of the room and took the stairs, the enormous Necrosis hot on our tail. We made it outside into the darkness and kept going.
“She’s right,” I said quietly. “We can’t do this.”
Ian ignored me, walking quickly.
“She wouldn’t want this.”
With singular focus, he set his determination on the gate and nothing else. “I didn’t help her before… I can’t do that again.”
Huntley had told me the story years ago. They were just boys. Huntley stayed behind, and Ian ran for it, altering their bond with their mother forever. Huntley became the favorite, the revered one, and Ian was always second best. “It’s not the same thing, Ian. They’re going to kill her anyway.” I glanced behind me, seeing the king still following us. “I know this is hard—”
“She’s my mother. She would do it for me.”
“I don’t think she would.” I knew she’d sacrifice either one of her sons for the sake of her people. One for the many. “We don’t know what’s waiting outside the gate, but it’s not good. We can’t do this—”
“I made up my mind.”
We moved down to the gate where the soldiers were prepared for war.
The King hung back, trying to escape everyone’s notice.
Ian raised his head and gestured to the men. “Raise the gate.”
I couldn’t believe this was happening. “Ian, we might be able to take him.”
“We don’t know how he communicates. He might tell the other one to kill her.”
“He’s going to kill her anyway! Don’t you understand that?”
The soldiers didn’t listen, so Ian made the request again. “I said, open the gate. Now.”
“I understand what happened in the past is really shitty, but this isn’t what she wants. This isn’t a test.”
The doors started to open.
Now it was too late.
Twelve Necrosis entered on horseback, fully armored.
At least it wasn’t the entire army.
As they drew closer, I recognized the one in the lead.
My heart did a somersault as it sank, and once it hit the bottom of my stomach, it sent tremors throughout my body. The shock overwhelmed me. All I could do was stare.
Bastian dropped from his horse, as did the others. Then he walked forward, right past me, and moved toward the castle. He didn’t turn his head to acknowledge me. As if he didn’t even know I was there.
Ian turned to look at me, derision heavy in his face. He didn’t say a single word, but he didn’t need to. The punch from his fist hit me right in the cheek without him moving an inch. He was so pissed off he could strangle me right now.