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)
Another simple pleasure females in the dormitories were denied. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to tend to our hair at the academy? Why refuse us such a simple kindness?”
“It is complicated and has much to do with human perception of what we are doing there. Drawing government attention by placing large requisitions for luxury products would ultimately cause the girls harm. And, as you know, females are permitted to cut their hair short like the males.”
“But we don’t want to be like men!”
“Nor do we, your males, want you to be anything other than what you are. But most importantly, we want you to be safe.” Eyes earnest, he took the machine from my grip and set it aside. “Once mated, depending on the male’s ability to provide, it all changes. I can give you anything you want.”
His boast was not missed, as I groused, “Or, you deny us these things so we might marvel and swoon when we’re finally treated with respect. I’m not stupid, Cyderial. You wield an advantage, seducing with dresses and magic machines.”
“But you are still smiling, even if you know I’m doing everything in my power to win you. You can’t help yourself,” he teased, utterly charmed by my irritation.
Yes, I could have two feelings at once. I was a higher lifeform, for goodness’ sake.
“I have more prepared for you, my love.” The male waved his hand over a touchpad, and the bathroom counters unfolded to display drawers filled with ornaments for my hair and a variety of cosmetics. “If these are not to your liking, others can be procured.”
Blinking at the collection, not having a clue what most of the cosmetics would be used for, I could not resist fingering such treasures… even as I narrowed my eyes at the man.
But perhaps I had some deeply rooted personal flaw, because I could not keep my attention on him. Not with so many new things to experience.
Oh, how I wanted to play!
But the male continued standing there, leaning against the doorframe, watching me intently. The hovering was unwelcome, so I cut him a glare. “The way you are staring is making me uncomfortable. I want privacy.”
To squeal and hoard and touch everything.
Arms over his chest, staring in that hungry way of his, he refused me. “No.”
He looked stately, even indolently leaning against the wall so he might watch.
Meanwhile, I was trying not to appear gleeful that there were six shades of lipstick to choose from.
While I chose a soft, neutral pink, he offered a low, “I would prefer if only I got to see your hair loose.”
Leaning toward the mirror, lipstick at my cupid’s bow, I asked, “Why?”
“It’s mine.”
No, it was actually mine. He may have offered to let me outside, but that too should have been a natural right. Bargaining with him in this way was not going to be good for me later. Not after I lost so much footing in my exuberance for his gifts. “I’ll be keeping it down.”
Grumbling from the corner, he gave me a not-so-subtle warning. “Are you sure that’s the choice you want to make?”
Glaring, I smacked my freshly painted lips. “Yes. I don’t have any pictures to mimic, and I don’t know how to use any of these tools. And before you make a terrible suggestion, I am not wearing a regulation bun the first time I get to go out in real clothes. I’m not an academy recruit anymore; I’m a mate. That’s what you wanted. Deal with it.”
“Fine.” But that irritated huff came with a clear suggestion that I would pay for it later.
Smoothing my hair one last time, I pinched my cheeks to make them brighter and smiled at myself in the mirror.
The pink, flowy dress was demure, covering everything, but it was so feminine I loved it in a way I could never have loved my precious black dress. It was a shame I had no polish for my talons, which remained unfiled since Cyderial stole me. They had grown wickedly long, deadly sharp. Flaring my fingers, I found I didn’t want to dull them, even if they were only dark-gray and not glittering ivory like fair Maeve’s.
No one was going to measure my talons now. There would be no citations for lipstick, nor dresses, nor wearing my glorious hair down.
“No more playing, kitten.” He pushed off the wall to steal me away from my new treasures and deliver me to my mother. “It’s time to take you out into the world.”
3
I should have known things would go wrong.
“I wish for today to be a pleasure for you. Do not allow my agitation to take away from your moment of fun.” Lip curled, muscular frame dressed in a fresh uniform—shining ropes and glittering insignia leaving no doubt of his rank—the cold-blooded general marched me toward a waiting hover vehicle. “Yet I am finding removing you from our home more difficult than anticipated. I don’t want to share you, and the sensation is, frankly, painful.”