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)
“I’ve always been fascinated with the fairies. They seem so mystical and magical. I never knew I had magic, so that greatly appealed to me.”
The queen looked over at the woman, I assumed to make sure she was satisfied, before continuing. We went over what I’d seen in the city where I bought Granny’s products and how I reacted to the alterations. I described the people I’d spoken to, including those in the alleyway, before Hadriel gave his account of the tavern where he’d heard about my capture. He also described how badly I’d been beaten when Alexander tried to forcibly remove me from the camp, though I had no idea why.
“Let me get this straight.” The queen adjusted herself in her seat to get comfortable. “You had the chance to go back to Granny, but you chose instead to come here and face punishment for the part you played in her organization?”
“I had the chance to go with Alexander,” I answered. “I hadn’t yet learned Granny was still alive. I’d rather die at the hands of your petrifying king than end up with Alexander.”
“And now?”
“And now I just want enough time to derail Granny’s organization, dismantle her product, and say goodbye to my new friends. After that, I’ll accept my punishment with grace, whatever it may be. As I always have.”
“You always have what?” the queen asked.
“Accepted my punishments with grace.”
The queen studied me for a long moment as a line formed between her brows.
“And this?” She pointed at the crates before stepping off her throne.
“Crap, you’re tall,” I blurted with a release of breath. “Is everyone in this kingdom fucking enormous?”
“They’re dragons, love. That’s how it goes,” Hadriel murmured.
“This is not dangerous?” the queen asked. “It’s not addictive? I can pick out any of these things at random, from any of the crates, and you’ll eat it?”
“Yes,” I said.
Hadriel raised his hand. “So will I.”
The queen looked at him before shaking her head. “It wasn’t smart taking this stuff, Hadriel. What were you thinking?”
“In my defense, she did it first. But seriously, look at it. That stuff is a mess. It’s way different than the finished product Granny sells.” He pointed at the table. “Have her crack it open and show you.”
I lifted my hand. “I would like to point out that taking just one is not an ideal test of my integrity. Granny’s coating needs to build up in the bloodstream before it kills. Three, I believe, will be plenty. I’d happily take three of any of my products, either all the same or all different, whatever you prefer.”
All movement in the room ground to a halt as several pairs of eyes widened, the gaze of each person in the room sticking to me.
I raised my eyebrows and shrugged. “If you’re going to test something, you need to be thorough,” I explained. “Taking just one of Granny’s final products makes you sick, but it doesn’t kill you. Not until it builds up.”
Vemar barked out a laugh, and I had no idea what was so funny. It was starting to worry me that these people made medicinal elixirs that they didn’t thoroughly test or maybe even understand. How’d they ever get so good at it?
The queen looked at Hadriel for a moment before turning and taking one of Granny’s products from the table. She handed it to me. “Show me how much of that is yours.”
I did as she said, peeling off the coating and pointing to the crate holding the sleeping agent.
“This is what I gave to Weston. My product, I mean, not Granny’s. It’s that one, there. You can see the likeness.” I read the name from the wrapper. “Huh. Dream Time is actually a good name for it. Clever.”
“And this?” She handed me another.
“Ah, the relaxant, yes. In human form, this just settles the nerves. It’s fairly mild.”
“Too mild,” Hadriel said. “I was bored.”
“The fail-safe on this one is shifting into your animal form. It’ll negate the effects. Now we are learning, however, that when this is taken in wolf form, it loosens the pack bond. Or something to that effect. Weston will have to explain it.”
“I did,” he replied. I nodded.
“Fail-safe?” the queen muttered, looking at Weston, then Hadriel, before shaking her head again. It was clear none of this lined up with what she’d been expecting. “Your explanation this morning, Weston, was the first I’ve ever heard about that. I don’t understand how something like that could be . . . baked into a recipe, and I don’t know how I’ve never heard about it before now. I’ve investigated Granny’s product extensively. I, quite simply, don’t believe it. I can’t. Given all I’ve learned, it doesn’t make sense.”
“Let her show you.” Hadriel pointed at me. “She can show you. I saw her do it in your old village.”