Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 111898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Black flooded Taliyah’s eyes. A product of her phantom heritage. As a daughter of Erebus, she wielded the most amazing abilities. Neeka’s top two faves? Ghosting inside of people and turning to mist.
Rocking on her heels, the General said, “So the Astra and harpykind will be destroyed if the warlords revive the goddess.”
“Yep. They’ll release Lore’s evil power.” Neeka removed the orb from Rathbone’s neck and placed it around her own. “I can’t believe Azar will betray his brothers for such a heinous gravita,” her friend said, her already pale skin growing pallid.
“I don’t think he wants to, but she wields some kind of power over him.”
“We need to tell Roc.”
“No!” The denial exploded from her. “It’s not time. The Astra aren’t prepared to confront the truth, and they’ll do something to mess up every good thing I’ve got going.”
Taliyah scrubbed a hand over her face. “I can’t lose Roc. I won’t. And I won’t allow my people to be extinguished.”
“You think I will? Take my advice, and all will be well.” At least, she hoped so. “I’m so close to changing things.” She should have a new vision any day. “I just need a little more time.”
“You’ve already made changes. I didn’t know what was going on, as evidenced by Lore’s success. Now I do.”
“Good point.” But was the change big enough to make a difference?
Taliyah kicked into a swift pace. “There must be a way to aid you.”
Minutes passed, neither of them speaking. Neeka continued to doctor her patient without results. In fact, the more she attempted to help him, the more he bled, no matter how gentle she was. Frustration blended with fear and something she couldn’t name. Sorrow? Guilt? What if he...died?
A barbed lump grew in her throat. The same way Taliyah refused to lose Roc, Neeka refused to lose Rathbone. Because she needed him to complete her assignment. Because—just because!
She faced her friend. “He is vital to my endgame. How do I save him?”
Taliyah came to a halt, blinked, and frowned. “You like him.”
“Well, he’s likable,” she replied, a little defensive. Or a lot. Yeah, verging on a lot.
“Everyone who’s met him would disagree. Just make it easier on us all and admit he’s your consort.”
“What? No!” Neeka sputtered for a moment. Rathbone, the male fashioned for her alone? The sole being able to calm the worst of her rages with his mere presence? Who made up for her past, enriched her present, and optimized her future? “What?” she repeated. “Stop being ridiculous. This is a serious matter.”
“Or double down.” With a calculated gleam in her ice-cold blues, Taliyah withdrew a dagger, sliced her palm, and marched over. As blood welled, she thrust out her hand. “Drink. If you vomit afterward, we’ll know the truth.”
Her stomach issued a new protest at the sight. Which meant nothing. Less than nothing. “No thanks. I know he’s not my consort, and that’s good enough for me. I mean, he’s hot and all—” and a magnificent kisser, among other things “—but as I told you before, he already has a fated mate. But why won’t he heal?”
“He can’t. Not without the antidote. Azar used a toxin able to slay gods.”
An inferno of fury blazed through Neeka, torching her composure. She stood slowly, grating, “I will ruin Azar.”
“No, you won’t. You will plot and scheme to save the Astra, ensuring Azar wins his task and defeats Lore before anyone dies, and I will get you the antidote. Agreed?”
No need to ponder. Taliyah wasn’t a liar. If there was no other way to save Rathbone’s life, Neeka’s choice was made. “Agreed. Help me save the king, and I’ll deliver a victory to the Astra.”
Rathbone would hate her for it. More than if she destroyed Lore on her own. No alpha male thanked the person responsible for losing a second battle with their greatest enemy.
It wouldn’t matter to him that he was gonna lose Lore anyway, even if the Astra failed. He would rage.
Would she find herself in his dungeon, strapped on one of his stone tables?
Maybe he’d forgive her. Eventually. Perhaps he’d even thank her. At some point, he had to see his lady love for what she was. Pure evil. Truth couldn’t be hidden forever; it always found a way to shine. And yes, Neeka recognized the irony. Look at all the secrets she still kept from the male.
Taliyah nodded. “Give me an hour,” she said just before she disappeared.
Neeka sank beside Rathbone and drew in a shaky breath. With a trembling hand, she smoothed wet hair from his damp brow. “Everything will be okay,” she assured him.
His only response was a shiver of cold.
Careful of his injuries, she stretched out and curled her body against his, letting her heat wash over him. As she breathed him in, the world faded from her awareness. She braced, knowing what came next.