Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 64359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 257(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 257(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
I hesitate a moment before answering. “The kind that lactose?”
A pun of that quality should surely get me out of trouble. A ripple of laughter runs around the table, Archie lets the subject drop, and I start serving my family their dinner, just as a good wife should.
“Can I speak with you?”
I am donning my long pink rubber gloves to do the dishes when Atlas takes me by the elbow and draws me away from the sink. I know the suit he is wearing has to be that much more uncomfortable than these gloves, and they are uncomfortable enough.
“Of course,” I smile at him sweetly. “Whatever you like, dearest husband.”
“I would like you to come with me.”
The others go to the sink to take over the chore. They move silently, and in concert, as if the movement is orchestrated. Has he planned this with them? Is this the culmination of a lot of my little rebellions?
“Did you like dinner, dear?”
“You can drop the act,” he says when he has me safely in our bedroom. “I know you’ve broken your programming again.”
I glance around our cozy little bedroom. The carpet is mint green, and the bedspread is a cheerful pastel yellow. The wallpaper is floral, of course. Bright sunflowers lift their faces to a sun that does not exist, while their bright green stems sort of tie the color scheme together. It’s all very nicely done.
“Hmm?”
“I also know you’ve been going out hunting of your own accord. That’s murder.”
“I have to consume something. May as well be an unfortunate numahn or two.”
“Emrys will bring you everything you need. Your job is to raise the children. Where were they when you were out bringing your prey down?”
“They were with me, of course. I had Sally in the baby carrier and Rhys in a stroller.”
“So you put them in harm’s way while you hunted down a numahn for dinner?”
“Of course not. He never saw what hit him. They were never in any danger at all. I wouldn’t do that. I’m not stupid.”
“This house, this simulation?” He gestures generally about the place. “Its exists on a planet in which multiple species live, but that does not mean there is no law. You cannot simply pick people off. You are going to lead the authorities to you, and if I need say it again, you are still wanted by the numahns. I have tried to keep you programmed, but the programming won’t stick with you. I don’t know whether to blame Emrys’ bond with you, or your own fractious nature. But what I will not tolerate, on any level, is you getting yourself arrested while in possession of our babies. You are lucky I am confronting you about this on my own.”
“I didn’t put either of them in danger, I promise you. I dropped the numahn from behind by severing his spine. The children enjoyed some fresh marrow on the way home. It was a very wholesome family outing. No different than taking them to a grocery store, or perhaps a petting zoo.”
“You will not hunt again with the babies,” he insists.
“Fine.”
“Which means you will not hunt at all. Your job is to mother, not provide.”
“Fine.”
He cocks his head to the side and looks at me with some annoyance. “Are you saying fine because you agree, or because you want me to shut up and go away?”
“Does it matter?”
“It does if you want to avoid pain,” he says. “I am going to punish you tonight. You are going to be spanked for hunting today.”
I give him a little shrug.
“Fine.”
His brows lower in displeasure. He has already removed his jacket, but now he starts to roll his sleeves up over his forearms, revealing what looks to be muscular human arms rippling with his movements. I know better. What’s really roiling beneath that skin is alien indignation and determination.
“I think you have forgotten what I am capable of, young lady. I think all the blood rituals and the hunting and the babies have led you to misremember how things are with me.”
I didn’t forget. I’ve never forgotten the first time Atlas tried to put me in a little contained world and treated me like a cherished human who just needed to be looked after. He was the only one of my alien mates who did not try to fuck or breed me immediately. He addressed my needs and my behavior. He cared, and I will never forget that.
“Gloves on, or off?” I hold my hands up.
“Off,” he says.
I peel my gloves off and remove my kitten heels. He didn’t say to take those off, but I don’t think I’ll be needing them. I lose half an inch in height by doing that, which puts me at a further disadvantage to my tall, pretending-to-be-human husband.
He sits on the bed and pats his thigh. “Come here,” he says. He is being very stern, but very mild.