Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 235897 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1179(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 786(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 235897 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1179(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 786(@300wpm)
He rubs the back of his neck. “I mean, I haven’t tried it out on anyone, or anything living, of course, but…yeah, I think so.”
Well, that’s unsettling. And glorious. And horrific. All of the above, really.
“Holy shit, man.” Sawyer moves in closer. “Can other ice wielders do that?”
“I don’t think so?” Ridoc shakes his head. “Turns out there’s only a few of us who can even pull the water from the air.”
“Sorrengail!” Cat snaps.
“Yeah, you’re coming with me.” I push the orange into Ridoc’s hand, then motion toward the door. “Though it has nothing to do with the ice—there’s no magic where we’re headed—and everything to do with the first point you made.”
“Bad things happen when we’re not together,” he says quietly.
Only go to war with those you trust implicitly.
I nod, and we head down the hallway.
“It’s about time.” Cat rolls her eyes, but her friend opens the door on the right, and I catch a quick glimpse of his name tag as we walk in. Cordella.
Her cousin?
Half the tables and benches in the hall have been pushed to the sides, leaving an open space in front of the long center table, where the members of the Senarium sit facing us, and they’re not alone. Aetos and Markham flank Halden, who sits in the center of the group, listening to whatever lies Markham whispers.
Xaden occupies the left end of the table, his chair turned toward me, his legs outstretched as if this meeting determines the flight schedule and not the future of the Continent, his eyes locked on me.
“You all right?” I ask, my gaze flickering toward Halden.
“He’s still breathing, so I’d consider that a win,” Xaden answers, looking rather bored, but the shadows around him have sharp edges that contrast the blurred ones down the table, the natural result of multiple light sources. “They’re set on their course, so you’d better determine ours.”
“Ah, Cadet Sorrengail.” Halden’s smile lights up his eyes, and he leans away from Markham. “Right on time.”
“Actually, we’re missing someone.” I glance around the room, noting that for once in her life, Mira’s late. It’s also impossible to miss Foley, Henson, and Pugh sitting farther down the table—all that’s left of our task force—and one addition: Captain Jarrett.
“As I see it, there are two extras in the room.” The Duchess of Morraine shoots a disdainful look over my shoulder.
“They’re here at my request.” I lift my chin. “As is Cadet Gamlyn.”
Ridoc stays silent at my side.
“You can’t be serious—” the duchess starts.
“I’ll allow it,” Halden says, lifting his hand. “Recent losses have been regrettable, but a month has passed and it’s time to act. You have the citrine, and a meeting has been set with King Courtlyn. Command is being transferred to Captain Henson.” Halden gestures to the rolled parchment in front of him.
“Is he fucking serious?” I glance at Xaden.
“Entirely.” A corner of his mouth lifts. “Have fun eating them alive.”
I cross the freshly mopped floor and take the scroll, then step back so I’m in line with Ridoc and give my orders a quick read. We will leave for Deverelli the day after tomorrow, meet with the king to try to negotiate an alliance, secure a foothold for expanding the search if we don’t find Andarna’s kind there, then report back, all under the command of Captain Henson and executive officer Lieutenant Pugh.
While Markham and Melgren search Aretia for any clues we have missed.
“Did you read this?” It takes all I have not to crush the orders. “They want to search Aretia.”
“They can get fucked.”
“No,” I say to Halden.
“I’m sorry?” Halden leans forward.
“I said no.” I rip the orders in half. “No to your commander. No to your selections. No to searching Aretia. No.”
“I warned you,” Xaden says down the table.
Halden stiffens, and the Duke of Calldyr shifts in his seat before narrowing his eyes on me. “Captain Jarrett is an excellent addition and the best swordsman we have among the riders.”
“That’s overly generous, considering I watched Lieutenant Riorson kick his ass without even trying a few months ago at Samara.” Power ripples through my veins, but I keep my anger at a simmer. “We tried it your way—”
“And clearly succeeded,” Halden counters. “Or are you not in possession of the artifact?”
“We lost two riders out there because you saddled me with a squad full of people who don’t know or trust one another. Yes, I have the artifact, and I’ll take it to Deverelli, but only with a squad of my choosing.” I hold my shoulders straight and catch Ridoc nodding out of the corner of my eye.
The door opens behind us, and the familiar rhythm of quick, efficient steps bolsters my courage toward pure audacity.
“Sorry I’m late,” Mira says, bypassing Cat and her cousin to stand at my right. “Hell of a headwind out of the north. What did I miss?”