Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 156907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
“I am now torn between annoyance that you are always so very right, and agony, knowing…”
I did not complete my thought.
I did not need to.
“You will have Melisse,” she said gently. “You will have my lieutenants. Cassius. You will find strength. You will gain wisdom. You, my Ellie,” her eyes began to shine brightly, and at seeing this, I again had to swallow, “will be all right.”
“Yes, I will,” I assured.
It was a lie in that moment.
But it was a lie that needed to be spoken.
“Do you need water?” I asked. “Some broth?”
“I need to rest,” she replied. “Perhaps you can read to me?”
I looked to the floor where her book lay.
I put her hand to her chest, took up the book, opened it at the ribbon and began reading.
I continued to do so when I sensed she was asleep.
I only stopped when there was a quiet knock on the door.
Whoever was behind it did not wait for me to open it.
It opened, albeit slowly, and I saw Cassius’s head come around its edge.
I opened my mouth to tell him Mother was asleep, but he looked to me and to her too quickly.
Thus, he fully opened the door and came in as I stood from my seat.
And then I froze when, from behind him, came Serena, then Melisse, and after, a Go’Doan priest. The one I had met some time ago in Firenze who had given me tinctures to offer Mother.
I did not like the priest being there, but I had no time for that.
I went directly to Melisse.
But it was she who pulled me in her arms.
“You look robust,” I said into her ear.
“You lie. I need meat on my bones and the ride to this place was more than I was ready for, so I also need a nap.”
I leaned away from her, still in her arms, as she was in mine, and I looked down at her.
“But I am here,” she finished.
She was there. Pale. Worn.
But alive.
I pulled her into my arms again.
“How did I know you would not stay away?”
My mother’s voice made me turn.
And when I did, I saw Serena standing at the foot of the bed, her arms crossed on her chest, her eyes locked to our mother.
But the Go’Doan priest was at Mum’s bedside, he had her wrist in his hand, and it was he to whom she was speaking.
He then placed her hand on her stomach and moved his to her forehead.
I opened my mouth to ask who the bloody hell he thought he was when he asked his own question to my mum, though it came out more as an accusation.
“You’re in pain?”
“A little.”
“I gave you draughts for this,” he stated.
He did?
“I thought I would wait—” Mother began.
“The time is now,” he stated smartly and then turned to the door and called, “Saira?”
A woman in a Dellish gown and cloak, ones of fine quality that were rather charming, bustled in carrying a leather satchel.
“Allo, Saira,” Mother greeted her warmly.
“You did not send a raven for Liam when the time came, Ophelia,” she replied. “He’s most cross with you.”
“He will survive this,” Mum sighed.
I felt something, looked in the direction from whence it was coming, and saw my sister’s eyes on me.
I also heard my mother’s earlier words in my head.
“I will give you time with her,” I said.
She jerked up her chin.
I gave Liam and Saira a glance, a smile to Melisse, a frown to Cassius, and I walked out.
The sky was night. The air smelled of dirt and pine and chill. The pointed tops of the trees seemed an imperative to tip your head back and study the stars.
I did not do this.
I stomped several feet away and whirled on the man I knew followed me.
“So, I have news,” I shared. “Apparently, I will be queen to the Sisterhood and my man knew this well before me.”
“Ellie,” he murmured.
“She said it was hers to give at the time she wished to give it,” I went on.
“It was, and you cannot argue that.”
I drattedly could not.
I looked away.
And because I loved him so, not to mention felt the odd sensation that my body might fly apart at any moment, when he took me in his arms, I did not pull away.
“Melisse is here, as is Serena,” he murmured. “This is good.”
He was very right.
I relaxed into his tall frame and laid my cheek to his chest.
We spoke no words for some time, but Cassius did not move or give the slightest inclination he would wish to do this as we stood on a mountain in his realm, surrounded by soldiers who were keeping us safe from possible attack.
And because he gave me this, I loved him all the more.
Mother was right, as ever.
The heart, if you used it, just grew in its capacity to give.