Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 67437 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67437 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
“Are you serious?”
“Very serious.”
I let out a long breath. “Why don’t vampires have a lot of friends?”
“Ooo.” Ian rubbed his hands together. “A vampire joke.”
I frowned.
“Let’s see.” Ian rubbed his chin. “Why don’t vampires have a lot of friends?”
“You should just let me say the joke part—”
“No. No.” Ian held up one finger. “I want to guess it.”
What is wrong with him?
He rubbed his chin some more. “Why do vampires not have friends?”
“Because they’re always a pain in the neck.”
Ian parted his lips.
I tensed.
Then, he loudly laughed. “Very good, Seraphine. Because they are always a pain in the neck. Yes. This is true in many ways. Quite a lovely play on words.”
I didn’t mean to, but I smiled. Once I realized that, I wiped the smile off my face and turned toward the horse.
Ian chuckled behind me. “You are funny.”
“Good night.”
He tried to touch me.
I raised my hands. “What are you doing?”
“I was about to help you on the horse.”
“I don’t need your help.”
“I would like to escort you out of the territory.”
“I don’t need that either.”
“Seraphine, there are many benefits to a stranger helping you—”
“Please, do not go through the list of benefits—”
“I cannot let a beautiful mage like yourself, venture off in the dark forest and head right toward vampire territory.” He gave me a warm smile. “And you are very beautiful.”
I widened my eyes.
“It was a compliment, Seraphine. Not a threat to attack.” He gestured behind him. “Stay here. I will get my horse.”
“I do not need your help.”
“I will be right back.” He rushed off.
Good. I will leave, before he returns.
Sighing, I mounted the horse, tightened the straps, and took a deep breath.
Finally. Freedom.
Had I been another type of mage in a different time, I might have spent more time joking around with Ian. He didn’t seem as bad as I thought a vampire king would be.
But, I was not another type of mage, and this was not a different moment in our world.
The whole planet was on the edge of witnessing a war that would surpass any other in violence.
It had been a long time since the Quiet King actually battled with a group of people that had a chance of winning.
Unfortunatly for the mages, Camille, and her kings, that small chance of their victory was not enough for me to risk my life.
Enough with vampires and mages. I just want a small space on this planet, to plant a garden, build a hut, bake some fresh bread, and daydream under the stars.
I steadied myself for the ride ahead.
And maybe. . .I’ll read those books too.
Chapter 4
A Journey in the Forest
Seraphine
The two luminescent moons adorned the dark sky and cast intricate patterns on the forest floor.
I galloped along ancient trees with shimmering bark and felt the powerful muscles of my horse move beneath me. The leather bags swung in rhythm with the drumming of the horses’ hooves.
I remained alert and made sure no other mages were around.
If Camille and Ian were telling the truth about the Quiet King being on the edge of mage territory, then I had to make sure I could somehow avoid them.
This territory was massive. Surely, there were open spaces where only a few soldiers stood on guard. I could handle two or three, before rushing away.
I will escape.
My hands clung to the reins.
Out here, fireflies twinkled above my head. The chorus of night birds echoed all around, and magic thickened the air.
I’m free from the mages.
My nerves relaxed a little.
Now all I have to do is sneak past the vampires and I can begin my journey.
I had no idea where I would go, just that I was leaving this war behind me.
Ian mentioned elfkins. Maybe I can find them.
Perhaps around them, I would be just another magical creature. No one would see me as a threat—something to rape or drain. I could even grow out my hair and live free among them with no worries of being trapped, enslaved, or killed.
Do I dare dream of this life?
The possibility of days that involved more than survival made my heart ache.
But then, suddenly, something rustled on my side, knocking me out of my hopeful wondering.
What was that?
I scanned the space and urged my horse to go faster.
The sound came again.
I couldn’t see anything, but I knew that something was there. Fear coursed through me as I imagined a vampire or mage jumping out at any moment to attack.
Let’s see what is going on.
In the direction of the sound, I reached out with my mind and searched for any vibration of blood.
Someone is. . .on my left. Something powerful. . .a vampire. . .old one. . .wait a minute.
I frowned and turned that way.
Ian pulled up on my side with his own horse. “Oh. Hey there. I happened to be riding by and thought I should say hello. It is a nice evening.”