Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 137958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
It was then, he was glad to see a flash of humor in her eyes.
“Then it would seem, my son, she also has courage,” she replied.
She might.
But she would not need it.
Nandra, their most powerful witch, had been adamant the Beast was rising, even after being questioned about this again once the tremors stopped.
But his wee monkey would not face these travails or any other.
He’d see to it his silver did not break.
It was what husbands did.
And as he would be husband to his tiny wife with her silver eyes, he would do the same.
“We must join the others,” he said, before calling out to the servant boy who was always close unless he’d been dismissed.
The boy came forward.
“Lock this in the place I keep things most precious,” he ordered, indicating the box with his hand.
The boy nodded as Mars took his mother’s hand, lifted it to the side of his chest and began to move them from the room.
“We have not had time to speak of much more than planning the upcoming festivities, Mars, but you should know,” she began. “I’ve decided I will not be traveling with you to the wedding of the Dellish prince.”
She could not even speak Farah’s name.
Mars sighed and replied, “I wish you’d rethink this. You’ll be missed by Farah.”
And Sofia.
“I would give you all things I have to give, as my son and my king,” she returned as they moved into the corridor. “But that is not mine to give.”
“Mama—”
She dug in her heels and he stopped, looking down on her to see her mood had swiftly changed.
“Farah, yes,” she hissed. “She was of an age she was at her own pursuits and with her friends more than in her home with her father and mother. But Sofia slept at his side. She should have known. And knowing, she should have warned us.”
“I do not wish to note this, but I will,” Mars began. “He was in this very palace with you, and me, and Father the night before his blade struck treacherous and true. He was my second father. I spent much time with him the whole of my life. He was my father’s most trusted lieutenant, and Father spent much time with him as well. And he, and Sofia, often joined you and Father in your bedchambers. And we, not one of us, understood his duplicity.”
She turned a face set stubborn away from him.
“Just think on it, Mama, this is all I ask, and this will be the only time we discuss it.”
Elpis faced forward and mumbled, “And for that last I will be glad.”
Mars sighed again and moved her down the hall.
As they descended the stairs, he noted the vestibule was crowded.
All had gathered to begin the procession.
But his eyes searched for her.
And his cock made itself known when he saw her.
By the gods.
“Mars, may I have a word?”
He turned his head with annoyance when he had to take his gaze away from Silence.
Prince True.
“We have a parade to attend,” he reminded the prince.
“One moment, and it’s important,” True replied, glanced at Elpis, gave a small smile with a small bow and then he looked back to Mars. “And with respect to you both, I need this moment to be alone.”
“I’ll make my way to my steed and ask the others to follow,” Elpis said. “My son,” she dipped her chin to Mars. “Prince True,” she repeated the gesture.
With that, she waded into the bodies in the vestibule.
Mars looked to True.
“A moment,” he granted.
True didn’t waste that moment.
“Neither Farah nor Sofia will participate in the procession,” he announced.
Mars stared at him.
True wasn’t finished.
“My men have gone ahead to search for a safe place for them to watch the arena without anyone seeing them so they won’t miss anything. But they won’t be sitting on the podium. After this, they’ll be escorted to the reception tent, again without anyone seeing them.”
“Both Farah and Sofia enjoy Firenz events, True,” Mars told him. “They’ve been away from them for years. But also, Farah is your bride, you’re a part of the procession and you should sit on the podium with your betrothed.”
“Your mother doesn’t forgive them, which is understandable. But can you stand there and guarantee me that every citizen of Firenze does?”
Fuck, he had not thought of this.
And thinking on it, he saw the wisdom in True’s caution.
However, in that moment, he had to assess the wisdom of trusting True with their protection.
They locked eyes.
“Your men will guard them?” Mars asked.
“My father’s guard will be the Dellish representatives in the procession. Alfie, Wallace, Luther, Bram and Florian will remain behind to escort Farah and Sofia to the arena. They’ll also stay with them.”
Mars had met these men.
He had sat with these men.
They were True’s entire personal guard.
True had Farah’s best interests at heart.