Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
He walks to us with easy strides, his face giving nothing away—I’d even go as far as to say he appears bored—but I sense his coiled anger. In many ways, our father is like Kian. He only shows people what he wants them to see. He’s not easy to read, but I’ve learned to pay attention to the energy rolling off him rather than visual clues.
I let go of Kian. “What did you say?”
“That was me.” My father stops next to us. “I shielded Elsie’s mind and mirrored her emotions.”
My father possesses the most deceitful of all powers in the five kingdoms. He has the ability to not only copy but also store in his mind anyone’s sentiments at any given time. His specialty is the unique connection that exists between mates, allowing them to sense one another through their bond.
That ever-growing pool of personal information in his mind is an infinite source he can tap into whenever he wants. He can camouflage several minds at the same time, making it impossible for mates to feel their bonds. He can go one step further and project a memory he recorded to fool anyone about the whereabouts or feelings of their mates.
The most famous use of his power was when he kidnapped my mother from the Red Kingdom. He married her before her father could catch wind of her disappearance. As far as my grandfather was concerned, my mother was still safely locked in her tower, far removed from the vicious prince of Lona, who, very unfortunately, turned out to be her mate.
“Why?” I push to my feet. “Why would you let me believe Elsie was safely in my quarters when she could’ve been in danger?”
“Kian is right.” My father gives my brother a hand to help him up. “We needed to know where we stood with Elsie and how far her power extends.”
I grit my teeth. “Did you get your answers?”
“Yes.” My father smiles. “She behaved very commendably during the crisis. She could’ve fled, but she used her power for a greater good.”
“You mean she didn’t abuse it,” I snap.
“We doubt she’s able to command more intelligent species. If she were, it would’ve manifested by now.”
“You had no right to do that.”
“I’m the king. If the safety of Lona is at stake, I can do anything I want. If you two have eaten enough dirt, we have guests waiting. You’d better clean up before meeting them.” He looks me up and down. “We don’t want to make a bad first impression.”
The sideways glance Kian shoots me says he knows who these surprise visitors are. Why do I get the feeling I’m the only one in the dark?
“Who?” I ask as my father opens a portal and strolls to the circle of lights.
“Elsie’s uncle and aunt, the king and queen of Marikanea.”
“What? You want her to meet her family?” I want to add, “Now?” Our relationship is much too unstable. Too much has been happening. I’m not sure Elsie is ready for this. “Why?”
He turns around. “It’s time for Elsie to see where she comes from.”
He can’t mean what I think he does.
And then he proves me wrong by saying, “It’s time she visits her birthplace. She leaves with them. Tonight.”
Chapter 12
Elsie
With my feelings still bruised from Aruan’s callous words, I arrive at the quarters where Karl and the women are housed. I go to the women’s side first.
This time, I manage to dissolve the archway without breaking into a sweat. I’m surprised to find Vitai there, having breakfast with our guests. Karl has joined them too. They’re seated on cushions around a flat rock on which a spread of dishes is set out. From the way everyone is laughing at what Vitai has just said, he’s doing a good job of entertaining them.
They look up when I enter.
“Elsie,” Sandy, who sits next to Vitai, exclaims. “I thought Vitai just opened the wall for another server. He hasn’t stopped feeding us. You have no idea how glad I am that it’s you.” She jabs Vitai with an elbow. “You could’ve told me Elsie was here before you let her in.”
Oops. I was so excited to test my new powers that I didn’t think before I opened the archway.
Vitai frowns at me, but I simply shrug without correcting Sandy or explaining that I opened the wall.
“Sorry I took so long.” I give her an apologetic smile. “We had an emergency.”
Sandy pushes to her feet. She’s wearing a blue dress that compliments her eyes and complexion, and with her hair hanging in waves around her shoulders, she looks gorgeous, a far cry from the dirty woman with the dull hair and sunken eyes I met at the Phaelix settlement. It warms my heart to see her appearing so healthy and radiant.
“Are you okay, hun?” She eyes me with worry. “Vitai told us about the rockslides. And was that a sun flare that happened just before?”