Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Jasher tightened his hold on me. “This is not delightful,” he grated into my ear, and I laughed again.
“Is the ice cold Tinman afraid of flying?”
“I assure you, I’m not ice cold or afraid of flying.” He nipped my lobe, a gesture meant in jest that sent ripples of pleasure cascading through me. “Falling on the other hand…”
I’d already fallen—for him. All amusement fled. There was no denying the depths of my feelings. I liked him. Maybe even loved him. Yet we were closer than ever to saying goodbye.
I twined my fingers with his. “Come with me to Kansas,” I pleaded, pride no longer a factor.
His hold on me tightened. He nuzzled his cheek against mine and placed our joined hands on my torso. The heat of his skin seeped through my clothing, warming my bones. “There are things you don’t know about me, princess.”
“Tell me then.”
He didn’t. “Consider staying. The people of Hakeldama need you.”
That… no. “I’m just one person. What can I do?”
“Kill more monstra and recruit others.”
“You are well able to do that.”
“Yes, but the forest has never provided me with an oasis or paid homage to my nearness. The pegacorn aren’t here for me, but you. I can’t produce liquid armor from thin air or stand in an inferno of flames.”
The warmth dulled bit by bit, and I shivered. “My father—”
“Can be brought here, as you were.”
But would he want to move? Did I want him living in this dangerous land? “He wouldn’t survive travel or be okay with an innocent dying in his place.” A life for a life. I hadn’t forgotten. “Neither am I.”
“That isn’t always the case.”
“Well, if we can avoid the death thing, and I can find a way, I can maybe possibly come back after Daddy is...” I let my words trail off, shamed I’d even entertained such a thought.
“Yes. Maybe.”
Judging by Jasher’ flat tone, he didn’t think I would. But I’d overcome worse odds.
Our group came to the end of the forest, but not Dead Man’s Pass. Other crumbling roads extended from various parts of the forest, but all led to a colossal dome seemingly made of smoked glass and big enough to cover an entire state. The only visible landmark was an equally large iron gate studded with emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. Currently closed. No one stood nearby.
“The grand entrance to the City of Lux,” Jasher said and sighed.
My breath caught. We had arrived. But what awaited us inside the dome?
CHAPTER 19
THE WONDERFUL CITY OF LUX
Tension pulsed from the pegacorn as they descended, but our landing proved smooth. They galloped from air to land, slowing and stopping in front of the glittering gate. Jasher dismounted and helped me do the same.
Somewhere deep inside, in a corridor of my heart open for the first time, I discerned the winged beauties intensions. They’d taken us as far as they could go and must now leave. I even recognized why. They didn’t trust the Guardian.
What I couldn’t discern was the reason for their lack of trust. If they had observed him doing terrible things, or if they simply didn’t know him.
“Did you serve my parents,” I asked, petting them both. “Do you miss my mother as much as I do? Did you witness the king’s death, as the mural indicated?”
Soft whinnies met my questions, but the answers never formed.
I nuzzled and kissed their snouts. “Thank you for shaving days off my trip and for providing such a lovely ride.” A chuckle bubbled up as a pegacorn nibbled on my hair and the other rested his chin on my shoulder. “Next time—” My smile fell as the words died. There might not be a next time. Choices paved the road of destiny, and I’d made mine. I would try to come back, but I had no guarantees.
“Thank you,” I repeated. “I’ll always remember your kindness.”
They backed up, turned and galloped toward the forest. As they neared the trees, they stretched their wings and launched skyward, soaring higher until disappearing into the clouds.
I faced the gate, suddenly feeling as if I balanced on a precipice of something great and terrible. Jasher approached my side and slid his hand into mine, giving me a squeeze.
“Don’t say it,” I rasped.
“Don’t say what?”
“What I’m going to miss if I leave.” I knew.
“If?” he echoed, and I realized my mistake.
“When,” I corrected.
“So how do we get in?” Patch asked, running her hands over the iron.
“We knock,” Jasher replied, rapping his knuckles against the center crack in the gate. The sound rang out as if it traveled through a hundred different tunnels.
I examined the dome up close. Stone, not glass. I knocked it, too. A light rap of my knuckles that produced the same discordant song.
Only seconds later, gears began cranking and creaking. The huge double doors swung open slowly on rusty hinges, and out marched a band with members dressed in a rainbow of colors, feathered plumes rising from their top hats. The scent of cupcakes accompanied them.