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)
“And the prophecy further states that two La-ti-zals will bring this to pass. And here we are,” Rylee said, spreading her hands to indicate the two of us. “We are ready to help you find your mate—and your happiness—Your Majesty.”
I held my breath as she finished speaking, waiting to see how the Emperor would react to this idea. Would he love it and want to proceed immediately? Or would he declare that he was a man and he didn’t need a woman or something stupid like that and have our heads chopped off?
Beside me, I could see Rylee’s lips moving and I knew she was keeping her guys updated on everything that was going on. In fact, she had told me that she could even let them see through her eyes at times, so maybe they were watching us right now. If so, I hoped they’d been able to contact Vik’tor to tell him what was happening.
After a long, breathless moment, Emperor Shadout nodded and rubbed his chin.
“All right,” he said. “Of course, the males and females of our kind have been apart for centuries, but some say the light and joy of our lives left when we lost our women. Perhaps it is time to contemplate getting them back. But how can the two of you help me to do so?” he asked, looking down at us.
“Well, first of all, I can tell you that if you try—at least make an effort—you’ll almost certainly succeed,” I told him. “I am a Visionary La-ti-zal—my gift is to see the future. And I have had a vision of the two of you coming together in the Throne Room of Empress Shalaya.”
He frowned.
“In her throne room, you say? But why can she not travel to see me?”
“Your Highness,” Rylee said tactfully. “I know it has been a long time since any of your people took a wife, but it’s usually the man who is the pursuer—the wooer. A man—a male—like you, goes after what he wants.”
“And believe me, you’re going to want Shalaya,” I said, hoping we could sell him on this point. “Have you seen her? She’s beautiful. And kind and sweet and caring,” I added, hoping all those things were true. After all, I hadn’t really gotten to talk to the Rainbow Empress much—I had been too busy putting on a sex show for her with Vik’tor.
“Mirror—appear and show me the Empress Shalaya!” the Emperor demanded.
At once, a mirror appeared beside him—apparently he had the same “gifts” that the Rainbow Empress had, I thought. And speaking of the Empress, as the mirror appeared, it showed her image.
She really was striking, with her flowing, multicolored pastel mane and swirling rainbow eyes. If you were into Amazons with color-wheel hair, she would totally be your type.
Rylee and I held our breath as the Emperor studied what the magic mirror was showing him.
“Why have I not beheld her before?” he murmured, but he seemed to be talking to himself, not to us. “She is most beauteous.”
“She longs for you, Your Majesty,” I said, hoping to play on his vanity a bit. “She made a mirror appear—just like the one you called for—in order to look at you the last time I saw her.”
“She did? Truly—you do not lie?” the Emperor demanded, frowning at me.
“I am telling you the absolute truth—you have my word as a La-ti-zal,” I said, hoping that would be good enough to convince him.
The Emperor sighed and shook his head.
“But our peoples have been separated for so long. How can we hope to come back together and heal the Rift that came between us when we first parted?”
“That’s where I come in, Your Majesty,” Rylee said, stepping forward. “You see, my La-ti-zal power is that I am a Binder. If only you will go and meet with the Empress, I’m certain I can Bind the two of you together and heal the Rift between your peoples.”
“The two of you are longing for each other,” I said. “The males and females of your kind have been separated for too long. Come back to each other—let Rylee and I help you find your way back.”
The Emperor sat there, staring at the image of the Empress for a long moment and I had the feeling that everything was hanging in the balance. Either he would agree with us and let us go with him to the Court of the Empress—where I could possibly meet up with Vik’tor and Rylee could get back with her guys—or he would disagree and order our heads chopped off.
I held my breath and I could see Rylee’s lips moving—either she was praying or talking to her men. Which way would it go? What would happen to the two of us? Would I ever get back to Vik’tor?
Then, abruptly, the Emperor rose. He made a motion with one hand and the mirror showing the face of the Empress vanished as suddenly as it had appeared.