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)
“The yearly sum of gold—that isn’t going to be an issue?” Nyfain asked. “We can match the other material things the fairies might’ve offered you, like clothes and jewels, but I need to know if the lack of gold is going to be a problem down the line.”
I laughed and looked at my knees. “I first started toward this kingdom as a captive thinking I had no magic. I thought I was coming to my death or some other horrible tragedy. To now be offered anything is . . . To be fought over . . .” I laughed again. “This is all surreal. I’d be happy with a place to live, food to eat, and a job that makes me relevant. Anything else is extra or unneeded. I’ll take the gold to save for any children I may have, but I’m not concerned about it.”
“And you’d take less for all you’d be doing for us.” Finley smirked. “It’s pretty apparent, Aurelia, that you will never, not ever, be in charge of negotiating for this kingdom. You should’ve sent Weston.”
“She’s certainly not going anywhere near the fairies to discuss this.” Nyfain leaned back and rubbed his chin. “I’ll handle those negotiations. We’ll be able to figure something out. I assume you’d be okay with having a standing invite to visit any time you like? They’ll want some sort of claim on your successes, and it sounds like you won’t stop until you own the world.”
“That would be . . .” I nodded earnestly. “That would be really great to have a standing invite, yes. I told Weston I do really want to visit.”
“Of course you’ll visit,” Nyfain said, pushing to standing. “You just won’t be allowed to go unattended, at least not until you develop some sort of clue as to how to negotiate.”
“I doubt Weston would let her go unattended anyway,” Finley said.
“And yet here she is, making the world’s worst deal for herself. What does Weston plan to do about the pack, do you know?”
My face heated. “He said he was going to talk to you guys about the timing, but he plans to claim me in front of them. I think he might be planning to try to integrate me, though I don’t know how exactly.”
“Fuck’s sake, woman,” Finley spat, standing. “You need to take a firmer grip on your life.”
“I am, just in the things that are the most important to me. I trusted Granny and I shouldn’t have, but I’m not going to let her treachery close me off. Weston has things in hand, and if he goes too slow, I trust that you’ll step in. Nyfain will handle the fairies. That’s all sorted. Now I’ll go start working on taking down Granny. Between all of us, we’ll do what needs to be done. Isn’t that what a pack mentality is—working together toward a common goal?”
I stood, and the two blinked at me before a smile spread across Finley’s face. “Touché.”
“I really do like her,” I told Vemar after we’d exited and were halfway down the hall.
“It’s hard not to. You’re right, by the way. In trusting people. Those royals will look after you, as will Weston. As will I, and Hadriel, too. I would’ve gone with you regardless of where you chose, but I’m happy you decided to stay here. It’s home.”
I smiled at him. “You would’ve gone with me?”
“Of course. Someone needs to help you make product. You don’t think those stuffy ol’ fairies would have the first clue, do you? They cheat at their potions with magic. They don’t know how to get their hands dirty like we do.”
I nudged him with my elbow. “Thanks.”
“No sweat. Gotta guard that asshole.”
I parted ways with him to head to the library. Once there, I searched for the geography sections and grabbed all the books with maps of the Red Lupine kingdom.
Time to see if I could figure out where Granny was hiding.
Chapter 35
Aurelia
Aweek later I sat at the table in my apartment with my journal, notes, and various maps spread around me. I rested my elbows on the hard surface with my head in my hands.
“Everything okay, miss?” Leala asked, pausing as she walked by.
I continued staring downward. “I’ve been all through these journals and all through my notes. I’ve pored over the maps. Alexander mentioned hills—really steep, treacherous hills—multiple times. I recall he once talked about damn near falling off his horse. I know he went to that location multiple times. That’s the packaging plant, I’m sure of it.”
“Well then, that’s great!”
“I don’t have a name, and there are somewhere between five and seven places that fit the description, given his propensity to exaggerate. And that’s if I’m getting it right.”
“Five to seven is something, and a lot more than they had to go on. Now you can compare those with the Everlass sales, right? Didn’t you say that?”