Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Fordham left the dream as it had happened and strode toward her. He couldn’t touch her. He couldn’t know that she was solid and real and looking for him. Not until she mastered this safely.
She closed her eyes to block him out and then yanked as hard as she could. For a second, nothing happened. She could sense Fordham walking closer and closer.
“Who are you? What are you doing here? How are you impersonating her?” he demanded, that fury returning to his voice.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, and then she pushed as hard as she could out of his dream.
Kerrigan landed back in her physical body with a crash. She leaned forward on her hands and knees and vomited.
Tieran reared back in alarm. Kerrigan? Are you all right?
She held her hand up to keep him back. She didn’t say anything until she emptied her stomach entirely. Then, she sank back on her heels and tried to steady her swimming head. After a moment of disorientation, she reached for her magic and felt a soft flutter.
That dream had drained her dry, like opening a sieve. Scales.
She needed to be more careful. Listen to someone else for once when they said something was dangerous. Except she couldn’t deny that seeing Fordham, however brief, had put a balm over her heart. He was still dreaming about her. Even if it was in a series of nightmares.
Would you tell me what happened? Tieran demanded.
Kerrigan nodded, coming slowly to her feet. She reached into her saddlebag and removed some water and bread. She’d known she might need the sustenance. “I’ll tell you on the flight back. But Cleora said that you could come next time as long as you don’t try to kill her.”
Tieran huffed. I don’t try to kill people unless they bother me.
“Maybe don’t tell her the second part.”
Noted, he said softly into her mind. Are you truly all right?
“I saw Ford,” she whispered.
Oh, he breathed.
“I don’t know if I’m okay,” she admitted as she climbed onto his back. “But I’m going to get better and stronger and I’m going to find him. I’m going to bring him back.”
It felt like the least of her concerns, all things considered, and somehow her most important.
13
THE DRESS
The DressWhen she returned to the mountain, Kerrigan threw herself into her studies. Bastian was waiting on the dispensation from the council before giving her more information about magical artifacts, but she had plenty to keep her busy. Plenty to keep her mind from straying back to Fordham.
Plus, with her new birthday only a few weeks away, her father had given her instructions on what to get for the private event. She wasn’t quite ready for the Society and Bryonican nobility to know that he was transferring the house to her, but they would have to be told eventually. In the meantime, she needed a new dress.
Darby met her at the entrance to the Artisan Village, and they strolled arm in arm down the wide street.
“I am supposed to attend the opera next week for the opening of a new piece. Will you attend? I could get you a seat in Sonali’s box,” Darby said as they walked past the colossal Opera house.
Kerrigan shook her head. “I have too much work.”
Darby pouted. “But Kerrigan …”
“Take Lord Trask instead.”
“That’s unkind,” she said with a secret smile. “Lord Trask … doesn’t appreciate the opera.”
“What does Lord Trask appreciate?”
Darby shot her a look. “As far as I can tell, politics, drink, and females.”
“How very lucky for you then that you have something in common.”
“Kerrigan,” she gasped, swatting at her with her lace fan.
They both knew that Darby had no interest in politics or drink. But females … that was another matter.
“Shouldn’t you be unsurprised by my antics?” Kerrigan asked.
“You would think,” Darby said with a shake of her head.
They passed Carmine’s Books, and Kerrigan eyed it hungrily. She peeked into the window with the leather-bound books on display. She had taken Fordham to a poetry reading there during the tournament. She hadn’t known until she went to the House of Shadows how much that had meant to him. Coming from a world with nothing quite like the Artisan Village and its sense of frivolity.
She dragged Darby past a little more quickly to reach Parris’ dress shop.
“Do you think he will design something for me as well? Sonali said that he’s already booked up for weddings.”
Kerrigan rolled her eyes. “You know Parris, Darbs. You grew up with him.”
“Yes, but …”
Kerrigan yanked the door open. “Parris, the party has arrived.”
A crowd of nobles squawked like ducks at her announcement. But Parris’ slight build appeared from amid the bustle of lace and fabric.
“Kerrigan, darling.” He kissed both of her cheeks and then turned to Darby. “I have been waiting for you to arrive. I need all new measurements.”