Total pages in book: 210
Estimated words: 200096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1000(@200wpm)___ 800(@250wpm)___ 667(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 200096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1000(@200wpm)___ 800(@250wpm)___ 667(@300wpm)
My spirits deflate as my arm flops to my side. “Why?”
Shrewd green eyes meet mine. “Because it is your role to claim.”
My head is shaking before I even get the no out. “I don’t want it.”
“‘When she rose again as a Daughter of Many and a Queen for All, only then could there be hope for peace among the peoples.’ You are this person, you are this hope.” She moves forward, her voice growing stronger with each word.
My heart races in my chest, the urge to run from this overwhelming. I turn to glare at Zander. “Did you have something to do with this?”
“As if an Islorian king could sway two guild members.” He chuckles. “But you know where I stand.”
He wants me to rule Mordain.
“Solange has told me of your vision for our future, as an ally to Ybaris rather than a servant,” Allegra says. “You can win the casters on that alone.”
“Yes, but—”
“Take the Ring of Minerva, and you will wield our full power against Malachi. You must. You are the queen for all peoples of this plane—mortal, caster, and elven.”
I falter. Beside me, Zander vibrates with energy. I can practically taste his urgency in the air. “But I don’t know anything about Mordain.”
“You know nothing about Ulysede or Ybaris either,” Jarek retorts, earning my sideways glare.
“I will assume the role of Mordain’s steward for you,” Allegra offers. “I will ensure the guild acts in the best interests of the people. And Solange will lead the casters where you need them most.” She looks to her counterpart, her eyebrows raised as if to say “Right?”
Solange steps forward, and together, they kneel. “Mordain is yours to rule, Prime.”
My hand shakes, the slight gold band suddenly weighty. I already have two crowns. This modest ring is basically a third.
“We need their might, Romeria,” Zander whispers. “You may not want it, but you must take it. At least for now.”
I meet Jarek’s gaze and he dips his head. He agrees.
I think my blood might gush from my ears at any moment, as hard as my heart is pumping. “Fine. You can call me your Prime if you want, but I won’t wear this ring. I’ll keep it safe for you, and when this is over, Mordain’s guild will decide who should lead. This is the only way I’ll agree to this.”
The Seconds exchange looks.
“Then we have an accord.”
Zander’s slow sigh fills my ears.
They climb to their feet, Allegra much slower, with Solange’s hand to help her.
I feel faint. “Did you know Allegra would decline?” I hear the accusation in my tone.
The corner of Solange’s mouth twitches.
“I hoped she would, and I knew you would not claim this of your own volition. You made that very clear,” Zander says.
I tuck the band in my pocket for safekeeping. “What now?”
“Now, we write another letter.”
I groan.
He slips an arm around my waist and leads me toward the door. “By the way, who is this Genghis Khan?”
A low whistle slips from Jarek’s lips as he pulls something from a chest in the royal vault.
I let Abarrane, Zander, and Lucretia pass me and pause next to him to see what he’s admiring—an Ottoman bracelet studded with sapphires. “I didn’t think sparkly things impressed you.”
“They don’t.” His thumb smooths over the stones. “I remember my mother wearing something very similar. Only on special occasions. I imagine she was buried with it.”
I’ve never heard him speak of his family before. “They lived in Lyndel, right? Elisaf mentioned it.”
“Of course. The nosy guard who gossips more than the kitchen staff.” He frowns, displeased. “Yes, for their entire lives. My father was an army officer until his death.”
“In the last war against Ybaris.” Jarek was just a boy, according to Elisaf.
“Yes.” He sets the bracelet down gingerly.
“You can keep it, if you want.” Ybaris won’t miss it.
“And what would I do with a bracelet, Romeria? All that I own is on my body.”
“Give it to Eden.” She would cherish it.
His eyes snap to me. “Why do you say that?”
“Uh … I don’t know?” But I’ve clearly said the wrong thing.
“He has ended his salacious affair with the servant girl,” Lucretia purrs in my ear, suddenly there. “She is heartbroken.”
“How do you know that?” Jarek snarls at her while I exclaim, “You did what?”
If looks alone could kill, the eye daggers he’s stabbing Lucretia with would murder her ten times over.
“What happened?” I ask gently.
“Nothing happened. She is a mortal, and she will live a happy mortal life without me in it.” Spinning on his heels, he charges toward the nymph door.
I struggle to keep up. “Jarek!”
“—and I will happily die with my blade in my hand, whether it is tomorrow or years from now. I have no interest in the life she wants. Now that the blood curse is over, she does not need me. And that is all I will say on the matter, Romeria.”