Total pages in book: 241
Estimated words: 229266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1146(@200wpm)___ 917(@250wpm)___ 764(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 229266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1146(@200wpm)___ 917(@250wpm)___ 764(@300wpm)
A young wolven loped out from the inside of the house, dancing around the women’s legs, tail wagging. Remembering what was said the night before about not many young being here, I figured it was Beckett. A grin tugged at my lips as he nudged a spade with his nose, rolling it toward one of the women.
Casteel dismounted as the door to the house opened wider. Kieran strode out, his brows rising upon seeing me astride my own horse.
Before I could even feel embarrassment over what had happened this morning, he opened his mouth. “Dear gods, you have her on her own horse? Soon, she’ll be running one of us over instead of stabbing us.”
My eyes narrowed. “This is who you wanted me to meet?” I asked. “Not sure if you realize this or not, but I’m well aware of who he is.”
Casteel laughed as he came to my side. “It’s not him I want you to meet.” He held Molly steady. “You want to dismount on your own?”
I nodded, rising and drawing one leg up and over the saddle. I lowered myself to the ground, nowhere near as gracefully, but I did it.
Kieran applauded. “Good job.”
“Shut up.”
The wolven laughed as one of the workers called out Casteel’s name.
Casteel looked over, squinting. He touched my lower back. “I’ll be right back.”
I nodded as I turned to Molly, scratching her behind the ear as I watched Casteel jog toward the house.
“By the way,” Kieran approached me, “I hope you’re not embarrassed about this morning.”
“I’m not embarrassed,” I whispered.
“You’re not?” He sounded doubtful.” “You won’t look at me.”
“I was just looking at you a few moments ago.”
“Only because you wanted to do violent and terrible things to me.”
I smiled because that was true.
“You look like you want to do that now.”
Brows raised, I looked at him. “Happy? I’m looking at you now.”
A half-grin appeared. “Yes, but your face is as red as a tomato.”
“Whatever,” I muttered.
“And you still look like you want to murder me.”
I sighed.
He adjusted Molly’s halter as he said, “You know what you felt during the feeding and what surely came afterward is only natural.”
“Thanks, but I don’t need you to tell me this.”
“Then maybe you would like some advice?”
“Not really.”
“I’m going to give it to you anyway.”
“Of course, you are.”
“If you wish for future feedings—and I’m sure you realize there will be future ones—to be less intimate, you could offer him your wrist.”
I spun toward Kieran. “Well, that information is so very helpful now.”
Kieran laughed, not even bothering to move out of the way when I punched his arm.
“Ouch,” he murmured. “That was actually hard.”
“Do I even want to know why you just hit Kieran?” Casteel asked as he rejoined us.
Kieran’s eyes lit as he opened his mouth—
“No,” I jumped in, shooting Kieran a look that promised death if he spoke as Casteel came to stand beside me. “You do not.”
Grinning, Kieran backed up. “When has she ever needed a reason to be violent?”
“Good point.” Casteel glanced down at me, one side of his lips quirking. The damn dimple winked into existence. “I guess I should be grateful that she didn’t stab you.”
“There’s always later,” I muttered.
A throaty, feminine laugh snapped my head around. “You’re right, Kieran. I like her.”
Standing barefoot in the terrace’s doorway was a stunning woman dressed in black leggings and a bright yellow, sleeveless tunic that fit the curve of her hips and chest. Golden cuffs encircled her wrists and upper arms. Her jet-black hair, braided in narrow, tight rows, nearly reached her waist. The pale, wintry blue eyes were a striking contrast to skin as beautiful as the rich black of the night-blooming roses. There was some vague familiarity about the slant of her cheeks and the shape of her brow, but I knew I’d never met the female wolven before.
“Because she insinuated that I could be stabbed later?” Kieran muttered. “Shocker.”
Oh, gods, I really needed to stop talking about stabbing people.
The woman laughed. “Of course.” She stepped out of the doorway, her gaze flicking to Casteel. “Why are you standing there so quiet?”
“I am not interrupting you.” Casteel held up his hands. “The last time I did, you knocked me on my ass.”
I blinked.
“That is not why I knocked you on your ass,” she replied. “I don’t exactly remember why I did it, but I’m sure it was because you did something to deserve it.”
The corners of my lips turned up.
“Since both of them have no manners, I’ll introduce myself. I’m Vonetta, but everyone calls me Netta. I’m Kieran’s sister.”
Shock rippled through me. “You have a sister,” I blurted out.
Vonetta shot her brother a look. “Wow, Kieran.”
“Hey, Casteel never said I had one either.”
“Don’t drag me into this,” Casteel remarked.
“My feelings are hurt, and I am the baby of the family. My feelings should never be hurt,” she tossed over her shoulder. “I expect an extra batch of the candied fruit.”