Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 144433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Kazex just beams at me. "Yeah, you like him. You're blushing like Ruthie does."
Oh my god, I'm going to lose my damn mind if I stay here much longer. From now on, I'm going through Simone. No, scratch that. From now on, I'm not dealing with Kazex and the crazy twins. At least, not after this. "You are impossible, and I hope you haven't told anyone that he's here."
The laughing look on his face disappears, and Kazex's expression grows serious. "I would not. Look, I can keep a secret. I have a whole plethora of them." He glances around again. "Not even Ruthie knows about the Zebah situation and I tell her everything." He pauses, and then thinks for a moment longer. "Almost everything."
I don't know if I can trust him, but I guess there's nothing to be done about it now. If Kazex is going to go around and tell the universe about Zhur, he's had plenty of opportunity to do so already. "Enough about...my cat. I need a plant."
He rubs his ear, squinting. "Did you say 'a plant'?"
I nod. "I need an exotic plant. Something that doesn't grow here. And it needs to look really shitty. Like it's dying."
Kazex's thoughtful expression grows confused. "You want me to bring you a dying plant? Do I need to ask why?"
Okay, that probably does sound a little weird. "Probably not, but if you must know, I'm going to use it to get in the door with someone who's better with plants. Think of it as a conversation starter."
"Well, aren't you a crafty one?"
Crafty? I've got nothing on this Zebah lady, it seems. "Just trying to get someone to smile. So...can you get me a shitty plant?"
"I absolutely can. I think we have some shoots growing on the ship, actually. Come back tomorrow."
Relieved, I laugh. "Oh, awesome. Thank you. This is great." Then, I pause. "Um, when I say I want a plant, I mean I truly, truly want a plant. No substitutions."
Kazex nods sagely. "No substitutions."
CHAPTER
EIGHTY-ONE
MAEVE
Twenty-four long hours later, I am back in the storage room at the new cantina and am the proud owner of the saddest-looking plant I've ever seen. The leaves are curled and yellowed, drooping pathetically towards the tiny pot of soil housing it. There's a bud at the tallest stalk but it's kind of withered and curled tight, like it's retreating into itself.
"Just as you asked," Kazex says. "A terrible plant."
"It looks pathetic," I agree, holding it up to admire every pitiful angle. "What kind of plant is it?"
"How should I know?" He shrugs. "I asked for the worst plant in our garden and Ruth gave me that one."
I want to ask all kinds of questions—where is his garden? Who is Ruth?—but it doesn't matter. I have my plant, and now I can work on cheering my man up in ways that don't involve my mouth.
Not that using my mouth is a terrible thing. The sex the last few days...whew. I complained about my dry spell in the past but we're clearly making up for my lost time. Zhur has an insatiable sex drive, and I haven't been more sleep-deprived (or gloriously relaxed) in years. He's still out of sorts, though. He's trying to hide it, but I can tell that even when he's “with” me, he's not really with me. The news of his brother's wedding has rattled him to his core. I think he didn't realize until just now that he's truly in danger of losing his throne. That all of the subterfuge was an inconvenience more than anything.
He's not taking it well. So...Operation Cheer Zhur Up commences the moment I get this sad little plant home. I'll give him a few kisses, show him the plant, and then explain that we're going to oh-so-casually show up on Nassakth's doorstep and ask for his advice. I touch one of the leaves of the plant, smugly thinking to myself how happy I'm going to make Zhur. I might not be able to restore his throne, but I can give him this, at least.
Kazex rubs his hands together. "You good?"
Oh, right. I beam at him. "Thank you so much. Yes, I'm good. How much do I owe you?"
"Nothing. That one's on me."
I eye him suspiciously. "You're not planning on foisting any other surprises on me since you gave me a plant, are you?"
He shakes his head. "No, and just between you and me, I'd like to keep the whole 'cat' thing a secret. If Ruthie finds out, she's going to be mad at me." He pauses, and then adds, "Well, madder."
My helpful—and nosy—nature gets the best of me. "Anything I can help with?"
Kazex purses his lips and then shakes his head again. "I've got it under control. I just don't want things to get worse than they are. Ruthie has a bit of a jealous streak. She doesn't realize I don't see anyone but her." He crosses his arms over his chest. "So maybe if you need anything else, send Simone over."