Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 162269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 541(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 162269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 541(@300wpm)
The surge of green dimmed in his eyes, even if the pride remained in his expression, as he said, “If I had my chosen world, and I could safeguard you in it, we would be in Wodell, preparing for winter, the festivals we have then, which are joyous and heartening and break the monotony of cold, short days that seem, as time passes, like they will never end.”
He gathered me closer where he sat on the leaves in the Airenzian forest with me in his lap.
“But I do not have my chosen world, and I cannot safeguard you from all you might see, and all you might need to do. That said,” he gave me a squeeze, “knowing the beauty of your bravery and power fills me not with anger, but with pride.”
“Then now you know how, every day, I feel about you.”
The green surged in his eyes again as he curled me up at the same time he bent into me in order to take my mouth in a deep kiss.
When he ended it, I had my arms around his neck but slid one hand to his jaw.
“What was lost today?” I asked.
“No warriors, several treehomes of Nadirii that were situated close to this border, though, the sisters who lived in them were unhurt. There was some loss of life on their side, none on ours. In the end, mostly, we just have a great number more prisoners.”
His gaze went vague in a manner I called questioningly, “True?”
It took him a moment to speak his next words, and I would know why when they came.
“Two of the sorcerers at whom Silence hurled fire perished. Several others are forever maimed.”
Oh gods.
I was uncertain how Silence would cope with that.
“And…my wind?” I queried.
“The three Wallace reported you sent soaring over the treetops, darling…”
He trailed off but I pressed my fingers into his jaw and urged, “Tell me.”
“Two sustained significant injuries it is likely they will not survive. One died, landing upon his head.” He shared this and then rushed to say, “Farah, they meant to—”
“I know what they meant to do, True. Do not forget, I am proud to be Queen of Wodell as I am thus, standing at your side. But I am born Firenz and we do not vacillate in doing what must be done to those who have earned it.”
“You can say this to yourself, and perhaps it is true,” he replied gently. “But if thoughts come up in you, know to your soul what I hope you know in your heart. As you have been for me, I will be there for you.”
As you have been for me…
I smiled at my husband.
“I would hold you forever, no matter where I am, even sitting on wet earth in Airen. But there is much to do, and we must get on doing it,” he remarked.
I nodded and my husband tightened his hold on me as he took his feet, before he put me on mine.
And before we set off to do what was next that we needed to do, I caught him at the sides of his neck with my hands and held tight when he gazed into my eyes.
“I love you, True,” I whispered, knowing it was felt, in times like these, that these words needed to be spoken so they were understood, when in truth, this sentiment should be expressed in all times.
True was not ignorant of this, which was why his face softened and his hands came to mine at his neck, not to remove them, but to curl his fingers around mine and hold them warmly against his skin.
“And I love you, my Farah.”
We held each other’s eyes.
We took our moment.
And then we turned in order to set about doing what there was next to do.
Queen Silence
Northeastern Border of The Enchantments
AIREN
“Leave us,” Mars ordered on his approach to where I stood not far from the smoking circle I had doused when soldiers had arrived to take custody of the captured sorcerers.
I watched men and women from four different armies scatter at my husband’s command.
As for me, I waited until he got close before I lifted my hand, palm out his way, and demanded, “Don’t even start. I am fine. Farah is fine. We—”
I said no further words, for I was up, and then I was down, my cloaked back to a blanket of wet leaves, my husband atop me.
“Mars,” I whispered.
“Kyril told me the lot of it.”
Balls and begorrah.
Bloody, big-mouthed Kyril.
“Mars,” I repeated.
“I am the Fire King,” he stated.
I opened my mouth, though I did not know what I would say.
Regardless, whatever it would be, I didn’t get to say it.
“And you,” his hand spanned the side of my face, “are the Fire Queen.”
I stared up into his eyes that were twin sparks of red flame.