Total pages in book: 182
Estimated words: 171176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
Vemar straightened up. “Well then, is it going to fuck with your noggin if I help?”
“You really don’t have to—”
“That’s not what I asked.”
I gave him a crooked smile. “No, it’ll just make the job go faster.”
“Great.” He set to work alongside me even though he thought it was a frivolous effort.
“Thank you,” I told him, tearing up again. Damn these people and their touching qualities.
He shrugged. “There’s an art to guarding assholes. You never know when you’ll meet a broom handle.”
Finley snorted a laugh, and I could only imagine how those two things correlated.
The next day, I had barely sat down to my journals and more depressing memories when an angry knock sounded at the door.
I froze. A flashback of Alexander doing the same thing caused a spike of fear.
“I can get that, miss.” Leala came from the washroom, where she’d set down some new bath items to try.
“No.” I stood quickly and stuck out my hand to stop her.
It couldn’t be Alexander. The entire castle had been checked over yesterday and throughout the night, to make sure everyone in the castle was supposed to be here. They hadn’t found anyone out of place or any lingering scents that didn’t belong. They’d even sent a small shifter through tight spaces. All visitors now had to be logged in, and there were more guards stationed around the grounds. In addition, likenesses of both Granny and Alexander had been drawn and posted, as well as any known employees. The castle was locked down. It couldn’t be Alexander at my door.
Knowing that still didn’t do much to slow down my rampaging heart.
I wiped the sudden perspiration from my face. “Sorry. Old demons, as they say. I’ll get it, just in case it’s”—I shrugged—“dangerous.”
Her smile was confident as she stepped around my hand. “I can handle it just fine, miss.”
I followed her anyway. I would never forgive myself if this was an unwelcome surprise and she was caught in the crossfire.
Cecil stood in the hall, his hands on his hips and his face screwed up in annoyance.
“Yes?” Leala said.
“Yes?” Cecil repeated angrily. “Yes? I tell you yes. She has ordered clothes and no pickup. Where has she been? They are just waiting for her, all the time. Just waiting.”
Before I could step in, Leala tilted her head. “And did you send word to me that I should bring her up to get the final fitting?”
He froze with narrowed eyes.
“Exactly. We can’t read your mind, Cecil. When would you like her to come up?”
“She comes now. Come, come.” He took a step away, waited a moment, and then gestured harder. “Come!”
Leala turned back to me. “You do need clothes, miss. The ones you brought are threadbare, and Hadriel’s don’t fit you properly.”
“Yeah, it’s okay. I’ll go. Do I need anything?”
“You need just yourself,” Cecil said. “Come!”
“The guards are posted in the halls, but I’ll still go with you, just in case.” Leala smiled at me, stepping out ahead of me.
“Okay.” I hurried after Cecil, who was already walking down the hall.
When we were nearly to the main staircase, little feet caught my attention. There were very few children in the castle. Sometimes visitors would bring them, but to my knowledge, Princess Tabitha was the only child in residence. I had only really seen her in person the one time, otherwise getting glimpses as she ran through the halls or was helped up the stairs or was in Mommy or Daddy’s arms. Each time I’d stopped and watched; I’d always enjoyed seeing children’s joy and love. When I worked for Granny, I’d gotten to play with a few in the village square—their parents turned a blind eye to it when they wouldn’t dare talk to me themselves. I cherished the time and always had so much fun. I never stayed too long, though, not wanting to press my luck.
I paused and watched the little girl tottering. I’d been told she was just over a year old. She evaded her nanny’s grasp with a hand stretched out and a “No!”
“What are you doing?” Cecil stopped just ahead. “Come!”
Tabitha caught sight of me and slowed a bit, sticking her finger in her mouth. A moment later, a look of surprise and delight raced across her little face. She put out her hands and said, “Ah!” before running in my direction.
I bent to one knee, unable to help my own wide smile, waiting for her to get to me.
“Hi, Tabitha!” I exclaimed, keeping my hands down so that she didn’t get confused and think to hug me. The king’s body language and general scariness made it pretty clear he didn’t want strange women touching his daughter.
She didn’t slow, though, barreling into me and laughing.
“Oh, whoa!” I lost my balance and tipped over, falling onto my butt. I made an oof! sound for fun, but tried to discourage her from coming closer. “Oh no, honey, no, you can’t climb into Aurry’s lap.”