Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Arie wanders down the hall without looking back.
When Killian decides to move, so do I.
“Think it’s a trap?” I ask him in a whisper.
Killian scans the area and proceeds with caution. “Most likely.”
“Why would they let us roam freely?”
“Who knows. The Council is always making games of things.” Killian walks a step or two ahead of me. “I can take that fucker down without an issue and get us both out of here.”
Arie stops at towering silver doors and draws them apart without a touch. On the other side are two guards dressed in gleaming silver armor. I notice the knives strapped to their sides, and for a split second, I picture myself snatching one of them out and stabbing Arie in the back. I’m willing to do anything to get the hell out of here.
When we’re close to passing the guards, I feel my fingers twitching. Just one swipe, I’m sure that’s all it’ll take. They aren’t even looking at us.
Before I can take action, a grunt sounds beside me, and I leap back as Killian does exactly what I’d planned to do.
With a sword in hand, he kicks the guard closest to him in the chest and sends him flailing backwards. The other guard withdraws his sword, and I take a few more steps back.
“Love of Vakeeli!” Arie shouts. He raises a hand in the air, and I’m shocked when the guard in front of Killian rises in the air and is thrown across the room outside the prison cells.
“Let us go. Right now,” Killian demands, pointing the tip of the wide sword at Arie.
Arie sighs and crosses his arms behind his back as he stalks toward us. He doesn’t stop walking, not even when the tip of Killian’s sword is pressing into his belly. Blood oozes from his stomach, but he doesn’t react. He simply stares at Killian, who is just as perplexed as I am as the sword lodges into his abdomen.
“If you will not behave, Killian Harlow, then I will have no choice but to toss you back into that freezing cold cell.” Arie looks him over, and when his eyes flash a striking silver, Killian’s sword vanishes. Killian backs away with a scowl. “You think you can escape, but you are wrong. We drew some of your blood while you were in a comatose state. Yours and Willow’s. With that blood, we have bound you to this castle, and that bond will not break until we see fit. That means if you try to leave—if you dare to escape—you will die as soon as you set foot outside of this castle.”
“You piece of shit,” Killian snarls.
Arie looks Killian from head to toe. “You want to hate me. I get it. But all of this can be so simple if you let it.” He peers over his shoulder as if searching for someone, then he moves closer to Killian. “My brother and sister will kill you if you show any sign of retaliation. The last thing I want is more drama with the only chosen child who has the power to awake our creator. You know exactly how ruthless and unforgiving Monarch Harlow can be. Someone with a personality like his holding that much power is not someone I want to make enemies with.”
“It’s too late for that,” Killian says.
“Do you think I wish his wrath on me?” Arie’s nostrils flare, and that nonchalant façade of his chips away. “No. That’s why I suggested the chambers. Why I suggested bringing you both to dinner so that this isn’t a completely horrid experience for either of you. Now please make this simple by cooperating. So long as you don’t fight, my siblings won’t either.”
“Why suggest those things?” Killian asks, clinging to a grimace. “Why help us?”
“I may be a part of The Council, Killian, but I know when not to cross the line. My siblings, however, don’t believe such lines exist. When this is all over, I can only hope that your monarch at least spares me any suffering because of my generosity.” Arie turns on his heels, but I don’t miss the smirk that sweeps over his lips. “If he makes it back alive, that is.”
TWENTY-THREE
WILLOW
The chambers are impressive, I’ll give them that.
I wasn’t expecting much, considering we’re The Council’s hostages, but they give me and Killian separate rooms next door to each other.
Each room has an oversized canopied bed, chaises, and armoires. The black walls are adorned with floating candles, casting a warm and inviting glow throughout the room.
Two chandeliers hang from the ceiling, each adorned with taper candles. However, my attention is quickly captured by the open wall that reveals a vast, stormy ocean beyond.
I can’t help gasping as I step closer, realizing there is no glass to protect anyone from falling out. Below, a steep cliff looms, too treacherous for any being to survive.