Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
“I’m certain she wants to kill me,” I say.
“She wants to kill every man, not just you.” Hassha chuckles, leading the way between a grove of trees. “Caspian, women have always been seen as lesser than. Men in Vakeeli think we are their objects. They assume women know nothing, that we have no power, that we don’t belong unless we’re in their beds, on our knees, or in their kitchens. In Kessel, we don’t have that. Here, the women can thrive. They can be themselves. They can laugh and nurture and still be strong and fierce. And any man who dares come here and disturb that peace will have his bloody head chopped off.”
“I completely understand.”
“I can tell you’re not like those men though, despite your horrid past. You carry something that keeps you from being like them.” She pauses. “Or should I say from being like the man who raised you.”
My jaw clenches, and I fight the urge to stop in my tracks. “Get out of my head.”
“Oh, I’m not in your head. These are surface thoughts. I hear them very clearly.”
The path shifts from grass to sand, and we’re facing the ocean. The water shimmers beneath the moon like indigo jewels, and Hassha turns her face up at the moon, drawing in a deep breath. When she exhales, a large wave rises and drifts toward us, bringing a boat with it. The boat’s exterior is made of Vanorian Steel with ivory sails flapping in the breeze.
“We will get you and your mate to safety,” she assures me. “I’ve created this boat for a fleet of my women to take to The Trench. They’ll gather wood from a Trench tree, bring it back, and we’ll create weapons. But be aware, Caspian. I will not send my women to war for you. They have peace here, and they shall continue to have it. The same goes for me. I must remain here for my daughters.”
“Just get me the weapons. I’ll handle the rest,” I tell her.
“What about your mind?” she probes, tapping her temple. “He can get in there and stop you. He starts there first.”
“Can you protect my and Willow’s mind?”
“I can, but only for a few hours. If I am not with you, it cannot last for long. If you were my creation, that would be different.” She shakes her head, focusing on the boat. “I always told Selah she made the original Tether too strong. She gave them too much at once.”
“Yeah, Korah said the same.” I look past Hassha at the bungalows perched above water. The warm gold lights glowing in the dark bring peace, comfort. This place is an oasis. I see why they protect it so fiercely.
“You and Korah must be stronger than Decius when you’re together, right?” I ask. “Surely, you could’ve killed him before now. He’s only causing torment and pain. It’s not fair, especially not to me and Willow.”
Hassha sighs. “Back then, I never signed up for protecting anyone but my sisters. Not the Tethered. Not the babies, nor those who came after the Tethered. It was never my job to do any of that because I didn’t ask for it.”
“But you protect people now.”
“Yes, now. I protect people who are understanding and not looking to overthrow a Regal. Believe it or not, it took me a while to trust commoners. There was only one I trusted, many eras ago.” She smiles, but just as quickly as that smile appears, it vanishes. “I gave him a bit of my energy, and he became a Mythic. He shared his energy with others and since then, there have been Mythics running wild with part of what makes the Regals powerful. Believe it or not, after my encounter with that man, I tried not to be too upset about Selah creating the Tethered because I see how easy it is to create something, only for it to backfire in many ways. Plus, the Tethered aren’t all so bad. The original Tethered were loyal and dutiful—all but Decius. As for the Cold Tethered, well you and your mate are the first I’ve ever met, and I wouldn’t say I’m fond of you, but I do think I will like her. She’s strong, and I sense that she’s kind. Then again, I think women are better than men in general, so I digress. Why do you think there are only women and girls here? I made it so that all we birth are girls.”
“Still, wouldn’t it be easier for Decius to just be dead? He took down Selah. What makes you think he won’t take you down too?” I ask.
“If he comes for me, I’ll be prepared, just as I’ve always been. But it has been centuries, and I’ve heard not a peep from Decius. I have my warriors. They have my energy in their weapons. He knows this. He doesn’t bother me, so I don’t bother him. As for Selah, we told her this would happen. There is nothing we can do for her now.”