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)
He laughed with what seemed to be genuine humor. “No reason to fear, my dear. I’m not some greedy water maiden hoping to deceive you to score an unnamed favor. Speaking of, I can have Iris hunted and imprisoned to ensure she’s never able to collect.” He lowered his volume. “I know who you are, you see, and I believe it will be better for all if you return to the home your mother chose for you. A final act of gratitude for the pair who once led us.”
But that made no sense. Why not demand the ring the water maiden claimed he despised?
“Just say the word,” Ian prompted, “and Iris will be dealt with.”
“I…no.” Maybe Iris, in her hatred for him, had lied about his intentions toward me. “I don’t want her punished. She offered her terms, and I accepted. Besides, a strike against her would be considered a crime, bringing a storm.”
“Not necessarily. Just know you aren’t the first person she’d taken advantage of, later demanding they slay me. None have survived, taken out by my loyal guard, so she continues to try. If she tells you to strike, I hope you’ll inform me. There are ways to combat such manipulations.” As he spoke, he hooked an arm through mine and led me forward, away from Patch and Leona. The latter beseeched me with a watery gaze.
“Don’t worry about your friends, my dear.” Ian patted my hand. “I’ll see to their comfort and care.” Lifting his free arm, he snapped his fingers, spurring two guards to rush over. An escort for each woman. Neither of which was Jasher. Something I could tell only because he wasn’t wearing armor. Yet. Would I ever get to speak with him again? Did I want to?
Regret clogged my throat. Yes, I did. I needed to speak with him. We had unfinished business to settle. He’d done his job, and now I would pay up.
I swallowed and forced myself to move on. “We’re searching for a woman named Claudia. She was sold at a governor’s auction three months ago.”
He arched a brow, so much like Jasher I floundered. “And you wish me to buy and free her?”
“Yes.”
“Then I shall.”
The simple statement threw me for another loop. How could he be this kind? This good? He must be acting. But to what end?
Ian escorted me down the center of the band members and soldiers. We walked along a gold brick path, and I cut off a snort. Well, well, well. The infamous yellow brick road Dorothy traveled with her crew.
I cast a final glance the Tinman’s way. Or tried to. He’d already disappeared in the masses, one of dozens. My stomach twisted.
“How do you know who I am?” I asked the Guardian. “I only just found out.” Jasher couldn’t have told him.
“There are no secrets here. Not from me.” A four-eyed bird landed on his shoulder. It glared at me, then chirped in his ear before flying off. Ian’s smile slipped the slightest bit. “There’s been a development.”
A new realization dawned. “You commune with animals.”
“Only with the birds. If I’ve learned anything from your father, it’s to listen to what’s being whispered in the shadows, else rebels will catch me unaware and harm my people.”
So he spied via birds? Did Jasher communicate with the creatures, as well? He must. Too well did I recall the time he’d issued a command, and the birds had obeyed.
“You don’t resent the former king and queen?” I asked. “I’m told history doesn’t paint them in a favorable light.”
Ian waved, unconcerned. “Rumors are often exaggerations and distortions told by those attempting to paint themselves in a better light. Besides, I have a journal written by the king,” he admitted, verifying what Jasher told me. “I know how good he and his wife were. How much they loved the people. If you’d like, you can read the passages in the morning, after I’ve taken care of kingdom business.”
He seemed to entertain zero fears that I intended to seize control of his crown. However, my suspicions of his motives were far from alleviated. Appearances could be deceiving. That Ian was so accommodating, while the ring remained warm…
Yeah, best to keep my defenses raised and ready.
“That would be lovely,” I muttered. “Thank you.” I’d waited days to see the journal. I could wait one more.
Ian led me to what looked to be a sheet of glass laid upon our path. We stepped upon it, and the pane lifted off the ground. I marveled as we rose several inches above the golden bricks and swept forward magic-carpet style.
“Technologically advanced, indeed.” I glanced back to see Patch and Leona atop sheets of their own, each clinging to their guard.
“Isn’t it wonderful?” Ian asked, indicating the landscape as we surged forward. “The higher up you are, the more you see.”