Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
“There will be great disasters, ripping the world apart. Please tell me you’ve had a vision?” She asks as she takes hold of my hand.
“Yes. I saw my first chosen one. He–”
Thana tightens her grip on my hand. “No, don’t tell me. Just retrieve the chosen ones and bring them back. You have to gather all ten before you’re allowed to return to Vaalbara. Not a moment before.” Her voice is filled with sudden urgency.
Before I can ask anything else, her guardian walks toward us, and he removes her hand from mine. I watch as they leave the room then glance at Raighne as the bitter reality of what’s to come sinks in like a heavy stone.
“I’m scared.”
He closes the distance between us, and wrapping his arm around my shoulders, he hugs me to his side.
“We’ll face everything together. You’re not alone.”
“So, when do we leave?” Brenna asks.
“At first daylight,” Raighne answers. “We have to remember to get elixirs from Aster so we’ll blend in on Earth.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Brenna offers, all her aggression nowhere to be seen.
Suddenly, we hear a commotion outside, and we quickly walk out of my living quarters to see what’s going on.
Raighne’s hand finds mine, and he links our fingers as we move closer to where a group is gathering around two men who are climbing off their horses.
Only then do I see the two bodies draped over another horse.
God.
“What’s going on?” Finian calls out.
One of the men shakes his head, his face ashen in color. “Adeth ambushed us in the forest. It’s the King.”
Brenna and I dart forward, but she’s the first to ask, “What about the King?”
The man shakes his head again. “Griffith is bringing him. We…we…”
No!
I swing around, and breaking out into a run, I head for the forest.
“Alchera!” Raighne shouts behind me.
My body protests, and I don’t even make it to the line of trees when I’m yanked backward. A cry is ripped from me as I fly through the air, my ribs aching something fierce from the force Raighne’s using to draw me back to him.
I want my dad. I need my dad.
When I slam into Raighne’s chest, and his arms lock around me, air explodes from my lungs, my ribs aching horribly.
Before I can let Raighne have it, movement by the trees catches my attention, and I notice Janak first.
Then Griffith appears, looking like he lost a fight against a bear.
When I see my father’s body hanging limply over the back of a horse, my chest implodes with unbearable heartache.
“Nooooo!” I scream, the air trembling around me from the excruciating emotions ripping me to shreds.
“Father!” Brenna cries, and Finian moves fast to restrain her.
Griffith looks like death as he carries our father to us, and when he lays him gently on the ground, he kneels by his fallen charge.
“He severed our bond,” Griffith groans. “He severed our bond right before she killed him to spare my life.”
“NoNoNo!” I cry as I fight against Raighne’s hold.
“Let go of me!”
His arms only tighten even more around me.
“Please. I need to be with my father,” I sob.
Raighne lets go, and I dart forward, falling to my knees next to my dad. Brenna sinks down beside me, and we stare at our father’s lifeless face. His chest is charred black as if something has burned right through him.
“I’m so sorry,” I whimper. “I let you die. This is all my fault.” I scoot closer and lift his head onto my lap while Brenna grabs hold of his hand.
“Awo. Why did this happen?” she groans.
Because I asked Awo the wrong question.
I begin to rock my father as agonizing pain flays my soul, and I whimper, “I’ve failed you… all for a bunch of strangers.”
My throat strains painfully as I caress his hair.
“I had no time with you,” I sob.
Brenna moves closer to me and wraps her arm around my shoulders as Raighne’s warmth moves through me.
“It’s my fault,” I tell her, my voice hoarse.
She shakes her head, sobbing, “No, it’s not.”
Awo said I could’ve asked for anything! But I didn't think of my own father.
What kind of daughter does that?
I hold my dad tightly to my chest and let out a broken cry, “This isn’t fair! If I had known my father would die, I wouldn’t have asked for Jason’s animals. You fooled me. I want my father back.” Sobs tear from my very soul, and I feel Raighne’s warmth battle the darkness growing in my heart.
“Give him back to me,” I beg. “This isn’t fair.”
“You need to calm down, child,” Janak says, sounding worried.
It feels as if something snaps in me. Ice spreads through my veins as all the emotions fade until only my rage remains.
Numbly, I sink back until I’m sitting flat on my butt, and my father slips from my arms.