Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
I could guess. “You think Deco and the others can be saved, though it’s never been done.” That was why he hadn't attacked the shifters unless they’d attacked us first. He couldn’t save them if they were dead.
“I know they can be recovered. I only need my key. The Valkara told me ten keys arrived at the same time as the Starfire, landing in different parts of the world. Each of the original kings were to find ours and return them to her. I found mine, only to lose it. As soon as I discover it again, she can use it to revert turul-shifters to their natural state.”
Well. No wonder he was so determined to have that key in his possession. And yet, something prodded at me, ringing an internal alarm. “I don’t want to burst your bubble, but that sounds a little too good to be true.” A scam in the making. A long con. “You’re confident she’s on the up and up, even though she threatens the life of your firebrand?” I’d asked before, but maybe phrasing it a new way with this new info would get him thinking along the right line.
“You seem too good to be true, yet here you are.”
Then. That moment. A part of me fell a little in love with him. But just a little, so it wasn’t a big deal. I’d probably get over it in a day or two.
As we continued forward, I linked our arms and rested my head on his broad shoulder. I’d let the subject of Valkara rest for now. “I need to tell you something.” He’d trusted me with his past. Now, I would trust him with my future. “I’ve had a recurring dream most of my life. Juniper has, too, though I’m not clear on the details of hers.”
He stiffened but said, “I’m listening.”
Here goes. “In mine, I’m standing in the sky, surrounded by fog. I kneel before a powerful warrior. You.”
His eyes lit with interest. “Now I’m really listening. Kneel, you say?”
Men were such simple creatures. “Yes. In the dream, I tell you I’m doing what I’m doing for the greater good. You say the same. You’re holding a sword and you lift it as if to remove my head. Just as you swing, I wake up.”
His hold on me tightened. “I meant it when I said I wouldn’t harm you, Love.”
“And I believe you.” Now. “But the dream means something.” I winced and gave voice to my most awful suspicion. “Even if I’ve been seeing Juniper all this time.”
“You don’t have to worry. I won’t harm your twin, either. As for the meaning of the dream, give me a day or two to ponder.”
Between one step and the next, our surroundings transformed. The air lost the crisp bite of winter, replaced by muggy heat scented with lush greenery and blooming orchids. The landscape changed, too.
Where once empty branches stretched toward the cloudy sky, now dense foliage and towering trees did their best to block out a bright golden sun. The crunch of snow and dead leaves was replaced by buzzing insects and the melody of birdsong.
I remained on alert for any signs of a turul-shifter scout, but to my surprise, I spotted none. Didn’t mean they weren’t out there.
“Where are we?” I asked, not missing the bite of frost one bit.
Viktor led me forward, our boots sinking into spongy, rich earth and moss. “This dimension has four parts. Each embodies the essence of a season in the mortal world. We have entered spring.”
The sound of soothing water splashing against rocks reached my ears. Excitement bloomed as we rounded a corner. Spotting a gorgeous crystal pond complete with a tumbling waterfall, I stopped. Steam curled from the water’s surface, coiling around a mini-rainbow. Three types of fruit dangled from tree branches, each a different color.
A veritable paradise. There was no stopping my mewl of delight. “As much as I’m looking forward to a warm bath, I’m dreading wearing these dirty clothes again.”
“About that. I sent a soldier to a nearby village while the rest of us worked on camp defenses. He had orders to confiscate specific things and leave them here.” Viktor squeezed my hand before releasing me to pluck a plum-size red berry he offered to me. “This will soothe your appetite.” He selected a golden grape type fruit and offered it as well. “This will refresh you.” He merely pointed to the blue apple-like fruit. “That will liquify your bowels.”
I snorted. “Thank you for the warning.” Marveling over his thoughtfulness, I took a bite of the red berry first. Mmm. My eyes slid shut in surrender. What incredible sweetness. A bead of juice ran down my chin as I devoured the rest of the treat and popped the golden grape thing into my mouth. Oh, wow. Even better! He wasn’t kidding about being refreshed. I didn’t think my mouth had ever felt so clean.