Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
I just never thought something like this could become my reality.
Reiner straightens. “All those who ascended to the throne after the Night of the Bloodknife.”
I pause and raise my eyebrows. Okay. Looks like I’m up for yet more stories about murder.
“Lord Larkin Nightweed and his Companion are missing from this hallway,” Reiner explains. “Sadly, the first Lord of the Nocturne Court has a troubled legacy. He ruled for almost five hundred years, creating a restless brood of children and grandchildren. After his Dark Companion died, he refused to take a new one for years, blocking everyone else from obtaining one, as per the laws he himself put in place.
“The Nightweed family, already splintered also into three bloodlines, and tensions eventually reached a boiling point, culminating in the Night of the Bloodknife. After killing the Lord, the royals turned on each other, and countless elves from noble families died. Those left decided on a trial, fighting a leviathan, to decide which royal line should ascend the throne. Princess Célestine Nightweed won.,” he points out an elven woman dressed in black with long dark hair, which reminds me of Kyran’s, “and the rest is history. It was also decided that no Lord or Lordess would rule for more than a century, which eased the tensions somewhat, but the Night of the Bloodknife is still remembered in these corridors as a time of absolute madness. My grandmother told me they were finding blood stains all over the palace for weeks.”
I listen with my eyes wide. “Did Dark Companions die too?” The last thing I want is to get murdered just because I’m attached to the wrong royal.
Reiner sighs. “Well, Dark Companions are a precious commodity after the death of the elf they are attached to, but some were slain, yes. The match with a Dark Companion doesn’t always result in strong romantic feelings, or even desire, though that is, of course, the perfect situation. That is the reason some Lords and Lordesses take additional wives or husbands. I’m happy the two of you don’t seem to have such issues, even if you bent the rules to test your compatibility.”
I soak it all in, desperate to know more about the union I’m about to enter. It doesn’t sit right with me that Kyranis might take a wife while I remain his Companion, and my heart sinks a little.
“So it’s mostly about my shadow being of use to him?” I ask, even though he showed me so much passion last night.
Reiner turns to me. “Oh dear. Please, do not make that face. It’s unbecoming. His Highness is clearly smitten. In fact, I’ve never seen him this attentive to anyone, so I don’t think this is something you should be concerned with.”
When we hear the click of heels, Reiner gasps and steps in front of me as if he were a bodyguard, not the house master.
“Whoever you are, turn around this instant! The prince’s promised cannot be seen before the ceremony!”
But two women turn the corner and reveal themselves anyway. Their elaborate dresses are a matching sapphire blue and their beautiful locks, golden.
“That is simply superstition, Reiner,” Elodie says, approaching in a rush. “We have important matters to discuss.”
Reiner’s chest pushes forward, as if he were a peacock about to unfold his tail. “What could you possibly have to discuss with His Highness’s promised? You should join the rest of the court and enjoy the refreshments.”
“Is that him?” the other woman asks, tugging on her companion’s puffy sleeve. “I am so honored,” she adds, bowing in front of me. “Princess Vinia Goldweed.”
Her features are very similar to Elodie’s even though she’s shorter and her eyes bigger.
“Luke. Luke Moor,” I say, stepping out from behind an exasperated Reiner.
Vinia covers her mouth as she gasps. “Oh, you look so glorious! The perfect Companion.”
Elodie turns to Reiner as I bite back a smile. “My matter is not with him, Reiner. Apparently, no one but you knows where the key to the Ancestral Sanctuary is kept. You must help us find it and time is of the essence. I brought Vinia with me, as I’m sure you wouldn’t like to leave Luke unattended.”
Reiner sucks in air, and his handsome face flushes. “His Highness told me to never leave him out of my sight, and, as you know, I can’t have him seen. This is an impossible request,” he says as Elodie pulls him away by the arm.
“Well, my cousin won’t be happy if he’s forced to desert his current duties so he can unlock the Sanctuary either. I wouldn’t have bothered you if that wasn’t of essence!”
I shrug to reassure him. “I will be fine.”
Reiner frowns at me. “Do not leave this corridor.”
I roll my eyes and nod. Like I’d know where to go anyway. I can only hope this isn’t about to turn into a Day of the Bloodknife.