Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 78164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“General Thayer, you do not know her. There was no conversation between you. This adulation you think you feel? It’s all animal impulse.” And the general had not experienced a decade of practice to differentiate between the drive to mate and clear thinking. “And if you cannot control yourself, this will not go well… no matter how much you think you love her.”
Enormous, Thayer took up too much space, and I was surprised the little table between us didn’t topple over when he put his arms upon it to address my mate. “I do not comprehend how you could have done this for ten years. How did you function?” Gesturing to me, he grew impatient. “What your mate claims, I hear it. But no part of me accepts it. I want Maeve now. Two more days will be hell.”
“But you will wait two days nonetheless,” Cyderial said lowly, warning the male while also offering a hint of compassion in his threat.
“I will.” Those golden eyes shifted back to me, pleading for me to understand. “I will, because I do love Maeve.”
He seemed so sincere, and I could not comprehend this male form of obsessive love.
It was so foreign to what I knew, so consuming.
This was what Cyderial kept at bay to keep me safe. This was what he wrestled with. Yet, he’d had no friend to talk to, no soul he could tell. Nothing but books to guide him. For ten long years.
And my bitter heart may have warmed a little to recognize the accomplishment. With a shy but open gaze, I glanced at my mate and let him see.
Made myself vulnerable in acknowledging his effort. Showed him gratitude that curved his cruel mouth into a satisfied smile. And earned myself a kiss.
Our guest was nothing but green with envy.
Hating that he was being forced to wait, Thayer fought to control the irritation in his voice. “You had ten years to get to know your firebrand here. I have had nothing. You denied me a few moments each evening of supervised communication, Cyderial. I offered to allow you to restrain me, but you refused. I can read your journals and practice technique, but her personality is a mystery to me.”
Firm, Cyderial snarled, “It's not a question of restraint, old friend. To charge in and take her is against academy regulations. Were I to open that door, a new precedent would be set. Other unmated males would expect the same opportunity to access students. Humans would get involved, and that is a threat to all recruits. I am sorry, Thayer, but you cannot have access to her until graduation—not if you want to do this properly and impress her. Not if you wish to support her goals and uplift our species.”
The man began to swell with resentment, and it was very clear Cyderial was growing uncomfortable having his mate near the male when he was in such a state.
“How am I to teach her to love me, as you have taught Lorieyn, if I cannot get to know her? Both of you claim she will be terrified, and I have considerations in place for the opening. But give me something more to work with… or else the entire point of this experiment might be wasted.”
That wasn’t such a terrible idea.
I could tell Thayer the secret beauty of my friend in hopes that it would help her. Her personality was deeply known to me. I deferred to her leadership, respected her ambition, and loved her focus, and I let all that admiration color my voice as I spoke of Maeve. “When we’re alone in the dorms, Maeve makes lace out of old string. One complex pattern can take her a year or more. Her focus is unshakable. You’ll have to be prepared for that.”
“Tell me more.” Enraptured, Thayer forgot his impatience and grew soft.
“She’s brilliant at almost every subject but unskilled with a sword and at math. She will not suffer foolishness, so do not think to waste her time. Every female follows her example. If you confound her with male tricks instead of explaining things, she will not forgive it. Do you understand what I am saying?”
I had Thayer’s complete attention, the man just as adept at the male unblinking stare as the rest of them. “I do.”
Cyderial pulled me closer, nestling me into his side as I shared more. “Violence is not the way to get what you want. Allowing me to explain things to her will have helped you a great deal. She may allow you to….” I cleared my throat, forcing a smile. “She’s inquisitive; that’s what I am trying to say. Don’t rush things. Let her learn at her own pace, and she might even enjoy it.”
From the way his neck muscles strained, you’d think I asked him to swallow glass. “What does she like?”