Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 106646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
She wiggles her eyebrows at me. "Is that where you run off to all these nights? Don't think I haven't noticed you sneaking out."
I make a zipping motion over my lips, pretending like I'm confirming her secret. Let her think I'm hooking up with A'tam. Right now that sounds better than confessing that I spend almost every night up to my elbows in clay and fail every time.
"Glad I gave you that outfit, then. Did he like it?"
The outfit. I forgot. The one with the puffy fur skirt that won't even cover my ass cheeks. The one with the pinkish leather bra. I've been holding onto it, too. Waiting.
A'tam drops to my side before I can answer and holds out a fresh cup of tea. "For you, my fierce little kaari."
I glance down at mine. It's empty, and I hadn't even realized. A'tam had noticed, though, and he got me a fresh one. I blush as I hand him the cup. "Thank you."
"Are you hungry?" He asks. "What do you want to eat?"
I smile at him and lean over, presenting my mouth for a kiss. He meets me halfway and it's just the lightest peck on the lips, but it feels wonderful, and right, and it makes me so, so happy for some stupid reason. It's just a kiss…but it's a public acknowledgement that he's mine and I'm his. Someone makes a teasing sound in their throat—probably Hannah. Let her tease. It doesn't bother me today. "I'll have some of O'jek's roast when it's done?" I tell him. "It smells really good."
Nearby, O'jek's hard mouth curves in the slightest of smiles, as if he approves.
"I will get you the best piece," A'tam reassures me. "The juiciest."
"What's a girl gotta do to get a slice, too?" Flor jokes. "Or is it only for Shadow Cat clan?"
"Oh, I'm sure O'jek will share," Daisy says brightly. She tosses her hair and smiles over at him. "Won't you?"
O'jek's gaze settles on Flor and for a moment, I could swear he blushes. He says nothing, just nods. Typical O'jek.
A'tam winks at me and gets to his feet again, bringing my empty cup back to the far end of the longhouse so it can be rinsed and re-used. As he bounds away, Flor leans over. "Okay, you two are seriously cute. I'm going to vomit from the preciousness. His little kaari? Is that a pet name?"
I bite my lip. "It is."
She leans over. "You know A'tam almost got into a fight yesterday with poor S'bren?"
I blink at her in surprise. This is news to me. "He did?"
"Yup. Penny told me all about it. S'bren called you B'shit and A'tam just about lost his mind. He lectured him on how your name should be pronounced, and then went around to the rest of the camp, letting everyone know that mispronouncing your name was upsetting and he didn't like it."
I had no idea. Emotional tears threaten to flood my eyes. "He did that?"
Flor nods. "He didn't tell you?"
"No, I…I guess I was taking a nap." I take afternoon naps now, because we're up so late at night. I had no idea. Then again, no one's called me Bree-shit or B'shit today that I can think of. He's really listening. He's listening and he's trying to do better, and he's trying to get everyone else in line. And he's trying to do it on the sly.
It's the sweetest thing anyone's ever done for me.
A'tam is really trying…
And it's time for me to do the same.
38
BRIDGET
I hang out at the feast for a few hours, eating a bit of everything. O'jek's herbed roast is delicate and delicious, flavored just perfectly, and it makes me wonder just how much of their terrible meal in the cooking competition was Daisy's work instead of his. I drink a ton of shrimp tea but pass on the fermented sah-sah, because I want to have a clear head. Flor eventually gets up to go dance with Raven, and then stops to flirt and laugh with Sessah, who's probably the sweetest soul in the longest limbs. I get to hold Veronica's baby again, and Liz's little one. I watch A'tam play with Z'hren and my heart feels as if it's growing three sizes just from the sight of him pretending to munch on one of Z'hren's little fists. I have a nice conversation with Bek and Elly about the other village.
It's a wonderful party, and I'm not ready for it to end.
And yet…A'tam drifts by constantly, checking on me. I know he loves a good get-together, and I don't mind that he plays social butterfly while I hang out in the corner. I like watching him enjoy himself, and I know that he's going to circle around back to me. He does all the time, bringing me snacks or a bit of gossip. He grabs me by the hand and makes me dance with him to one of Raven's songs. And he looks over at me all the time, as if he can't stop watching me.