Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101280 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101280 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
“In that case, approach the throne,” the guard at the door said.
He stepped aside and, as though his movement was a signal, all the other guards stepped aside too—some going to one side and some to the other until they formed a kind of living pathway to the black throne.
“Come,” Captain Zernex told me. “We may now approach the Throne of Night.”
This sounded ominous to me, but I was surrounded so I had no choice but to follow him as he led me through the rows of Tangellan guards towards the black stone dais where the Emperor was sitting on his throne.
I kept my eyes down at the rough black stones at my feet, not wanting to make eye contact with Shadout the Twenty-second and one half until I absolutely had to. Not that I probably would have—I was surrounded by the guards who were all as tall as trees. But when we reached the foot of the dais, the Captain of the Guard put a hand on my shoulder and murmured, “Stop.”
I stopped and stood where I was, keeping my head down until a deep voice from the dais spoke.
“So—this is the other La-ti-zal. At last we have what we need to fulfill the prophecy.”
The prophecy? My head jerked up and I saw his face—the same darkly handsome face that had appeared in the Rainbow Empress’s magic mirror. I saw his black hair and eyes, his deep purple skin, and those lips which looked sensual and cruel at the same time. He was wearing a black toga-like garment that left one broad shoulder bare and high black boots that came up to his knees.
I cleared my throat nervously.
“Excuse me, Your Highness, but what prophecy do you speak of?” I wished my voice wouldn’t come out so high and squeaky. But my heart was beating so hard it was difficult to get the words out at all. I had a very strong feeling that I was in danger here and there was no one to stop him if the Dark Emperor decided that he wanted to cut off my head.
He glared down at me.
“Why, the prophecy that tells how two La-ti-zals together will be able to tell me the desire of my heart. And now, here you are—the second of the two.”
I looked around.
“Um, I don’t see anyone else here,” I ventured.
“Guards!” the Emperor roared and clapped his hands. “Bring out the other La-ti-zal.”
Two tall guards stepped around to the front of the dais. They were dragging someone between them—a woman dressed in flowing white robes and a long red cape. But it wasn’t her clothes that caught my eye the most. As she raised her head, I looked into her face and realized that I knew her.
It was my missing cousin—Rylee!
FORTY-FIVE
NATALIE
Rylee’s eyes widened when she saw me and she mouthed my name. I must have looked shocked as well but I tried to make my face blank as the guards dragged her up to stand beside me. Who knew what the Emperor might think if he found out we knew each other—that we were related? He might decide we were plotting together to trick him. No, I decided, it was better to be quiet about our relationship.
My cousin seemed to think the same thing because after her initial reaction, she gave a quick, mute shake of her head and then faced forward.
“You will tell me the desires of my heart,” the Emperor ordered, glaring at both of us. “Of late, I have lost all joy in life—food has lost its savor and wine is tasteless. I do not even have joy in killing my enemies anymore—everything seems dull and bland and meaningless. Yet I crave for something…I know not what.” He pointed at Rylee and me. “The two of you will tell me what I crave.”
To me, it sounded like he needed some anti-depression medication, but I doubted they had Zoloft on this planet. Also, how the hell were Rylee and I supposed to know what was getting him down and how to make him happy again?
I glanced at my cousin, who had a calm expression on her face. She was looking up at the Emperor, but suddenly I heard her voice—a faint whisper from the side of her mouth.
“Follow my lead,” she hissed. And then she spoke aloud.
“Oh Great Emperor of Darkness, at last the second La-ti-zal has arrived and hopefully we can diagnose your strange malaise together,” she intoned with perfect gravity, just as though she was used to talking to dangerous, homicidally depressed rulers all day.
For all I knew, she was. After all, who could tell what she had been up to for the past six and a half months since she’d gone missing? I knew the Commercians had sold her to someone but I had no idea what her life had been like since then. Hopefully it had been better than mine, living on O’nagga Nine as a Blood Whore.