Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
She shakes her head. It’s more of…what you don’t feel. Her cheeks color. The resonance slows down. Plus, Rokan knows.
He thinks he knows because he’s a man?
No, I mean he knows. She taps her temple. In his ‘knowing’ sense.
Oh, right. I keep forgetting that Rokan’s a minor psychic of some kind. Maylak’s cootie makes her a healer, Rokan’s gives him spidey-senses, and mine? Well, mine kind of sits there like a lump. Which is probably a good thing. Not that I’m jealous of all the babies, but it feels weird and isolating to have the only inert khui out of the entire tribe. I mean, damn. Surely I’ve got something worth passing on to the next generation. Sometimes I feel like I need to go sit in the bad kids’ corner with Hassen.
Annnnd yeah, I really need to tell my sister about Hassen.
I swallow the knot of worry building in my throat, and sign to her. I’m glad you’re back. We need to talk.
Is everything okay?
I regret that I’ve said something. Like, immediately. The weariness on Lila’s face seems to increase tenfold, and now she looks stressed. Am I stressing her out? I stifle the flash of irritation that I feel. I’m stressing her out? I’ve taken care of her ever since our parents died. I’m the one who’s had to be in control. I’m the one who’s had to choke back my fears and be the strong one. We’re both in new emotional territory and I need to learn to be patient, which isn’t one of my strong suits. But since I’ve already jumped the gun, I might as well plow forward. You didn’t see Hassen when you were walking back, did you?
No, and I’m glad. I’m still not comfortable with him. Her expression hardens just a little.
Her words feel like a brick in my gut. Telling her about this was a mistake. It’s too fresh. She won’t understand. Heck, I’m not even sure I understand it myself.
Why? What is it? Lila looks concerned. Has he been bothering you? He’s supposed to be exiled as punishment.
He’s not bothering me, I gesture back. It’s just…I pause, and then continue. We’ve become friends.
Her eyes widen with alarm. Maddie, no. Don’t be friends with him.
It’s okay, Lila. We talked about why he stole you. He’s really sorry, and it wasn’t that he was in love with you. He just wanted a mate.
And that’s why he wants to be your friend right now! He’s using you because you’re available!
That’s not it, I tell her, and then drop my hands. It’s not, is it? I sought him out, not the other way around. Even as I tell myself she’s wrong, I worry. Hassen was so desperate for a mate that he tried to steal one. And then here I come, flinging myself at him. Maybe it’s not about me and him bonding and being friends as well as fuck-buddies. Maybe it’s just about him trying to grab himself another mate.
I think about the fact that he more or less proposed to me after we slept with each other, and decide not to share that with my sister. Actually, I decide I’m not going to share a lot with my sister. The look of horror she’s giving me tells me plenty. We’re just friends, I sign. Don’t freak out.
You need to stay away from him, sis. I lived with him for weeks. I know what he’s like. He’s impatient and overbearing and…She waves her hands in the air, clearly at a loss for words. He is not a good man! I don’t want him taking advantage of you!
Oh, that is so cute. Considering that I took advantage of Hassen the moment he decided to hang out with me, my sister has the wrong one pegged as a predator. Seriously, we’re just friends. I just wanted you to know, okay? So there wouldn’t be any surprises.
I’m going to speak to Vektal and tell him that he’s hanging around bothering you, Lila signs angrily. It’s not right.
Don’t you dare, I send back just as quickly, and her eyes widen at my vehement gestures. Don’t you say a thing!
What is going on?
Nothing. Okay? We’re just friends!
You didn’t resonate, did you?
Fuck no! I just feel bad for the guy, all right?
How can you feel bad for him? He stole me! He tried to force me to be his wife!
Yeah, and he lost everything. Heaven forbid a guy wants to fall in love and take care of a girl. I stop myself even as I think it. Am I having Stockholm syndrome on my sister’s behalf? Hell, is that even possible?
I’m really confused. I get to my feet. I think I need some time to myself.
But I just got back, Lila gestures, hurt in her eyes.
I give her a quick bear hug. I know, and I’m a horrible sister. I’m sorry. We’ll talk later, okay?