Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Harry didn’t want to leave without him, either.
“We can make it work,” Harry said, looking at his brother pleadingly. “You have told me that there’s much speculation about the reason for my stay on Earth and that there’s all sorts of nasty rumors about it. Wouldn’t it be better to show up with Adam instead of hiding him? You have taught me yourself that if I behave like there’s nothing to be ashamed of, people won’t shame me for it.”
Ksar had a sour expression on his face. “The pre-TNIT law might have been repealed, but it doesn’t mean that erased the prejudice society has against relationships with members of pre-TNIT civilizations.” He looked at Adam. “You would be treated like a curiosity at best. Can you tolerate being looked down on?”
Adam chuckled. “If I haven’t punched you for that, I think I can handle it. Harry is more important to me than the opinion of a bunch of xenophobic snobs.”
Ksar gave him a pinched look. “I don’t dislike you for being a member of a pre-TNIT civilization. I dislike you for putting my brother in such a position. He will be treated like a curiosity, too.”
“I don’t regret loving Adam,” Harry said, lifting his chin and looking Ksar in the eye. “If you respect me at all, don’t blame him for my choices. I love him, and I’m happy with him, and that’s the only thing that should matter.”
Ksar looked away for a moment, his expression strange.
“You’re a fool,” he said testily. “But fine. Bring your human with you, become the laughingstock of society. I don’t care.”
Harry frowned, eyeing his brother thoughtfully. There was something almost fragile about Ksar at that moment, as if he was wound so tight he was on the verge of snapping. He looked stressed—far more stressed than he usually was. It was strange. Harry couldn’t remember his brother looking anything but unflappable, regardless of the insane pressure on him or the amount of duties he had. What happened?
“Good,” Adam said, oblivious to Ksar’s strange mood. “We have already packed and we’re ready to leave if you are.”
Ksar just nodded, and Adam left to bring their suitcase from the bedroom.
Harry looked at his brother. “Are you okay? Is everything all right at home?”
A blank look settled over Ksar’s features. Harry could literally feel Ksar’s mental shields going up until no emotion could leak through. “Everything is as it should be.”
Harry shot him a skeptical look, but before he could question him, Adam returned with their suitcase.
Ksar silently laid his hands on their arms and activated the TNIT.
Harry barely managed to shoot an encouraging smile at Adam, who looked a little apprehensive, before the world around them disappeared.
* * *
“Are you sure you want to do it?” Harry said, looking at Adam with a frown as they walked to the t-chamber that would take them to the ball.
Adam gave a wry smile. “Stop worrying about me, love. If I survived meeting your mother, I’ll survive some fancy ball.”
Harry grimaced a little. His mother hadn’t exactly been warm and friendly when she and Harry’s father had met Adam yesterday. She had been perfectly polite, but she had been so extremely cold with Adam, outright rudeness would probably have been preferable.
“They’ll all stare at you,” Harry said, pursing his lips unhappily. “I don’t think there’s ever been a pre-TNIT alien on Calluvia.” His biggest worry was that everyone would treat Adam as if he were an uncultured barbarian, and since Adam had received a translating chip already, he would understand all their insults.
“At least I’m making history,” Adam said dryly.
Harry took his arm, stopping him. “Are you really sure you want to do this?” he said. Adam looked so confident and handsome, cutting a fine figure in Calluvian clothes, his white cravat complementing his golden skin and firm jaw, but Harry could feel that he was worried, too, though his concern seemed to be primarily for Harry, not himself.
“We don’t have to do it,” Harry said, leaning into Adam a little and greedily breathing in his scent. It calmed him. “We can go back to Earth. I don’t want you to go through this. My people…they can be cruel.”
“I can handle it, Haz,” Adam said firmly, holding his gaze. “I know we don’t have to do it, but this is your home. I don’t want you to be shunned by your own people. We’re doing this.”
Harry smiled at him, feeling so ridiculously in love he felt breathless with it. “I love you.”
Adam’s dark eyes softened.
“Me, too.” Adam leaned in and kissed him, long and deep.
“Hurry up, or we’ll be late,” said a familiar voice.
Ksar.
They pulled apart reluctantly and were met with the sight of Harry’s parents pointedly not looking at them. Leylen was eyeing Adam with interest while Ksar just looked impatient and vaguely irritable. He still had the same wound-tight air about him.