Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 141492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
It occurred to Safia that this was the most she’d ever heard Aura laugh. She seemed more relaxed than she’d ever seen her. She had seemed so leery of the Carpathian males at first, and yet now she appeared to have accepted their presence. Was it because Safia had been converted and she was no longer the only Carpathian there in Dellys? Had her responsibilities been weighing her down?
I’m so sorry I didn’t help you more, Aura.
Petru has promised me that he won’t take you away until your family passes and it’s necessary. He has been very good about keeping me apprised with what is happening, and he apologized for throwing me out of the house. There was a hint of laughter in Aura’s voice. Apparently, you were very angry with him.
I was. It is your home.
Lunja gave Safia a little nudge in the shin with her toe. “You’d better not be conspiring with Aura. You’ve got that look on your face that makes me think you’re up to no good.”
Safia widened her eyes in innocence. “I was just thinking how I should practice controlling insects. I’ve been neglecting my training lately.”
Lunja drew in her breath swiftly. “Don’t you dare, Safia.”
“Safia, this is the night before your wedding. We’re dancing and singing. It’s very traditional to be with your sisters, not practice for demon slaying,” Farah said.
“Oh, you sweet innocent woman,” Lunja said. “Safia intends to send a plague of insects to torture Zdan’s aunt.”
Again, there was a collective gasp, and then silence fell in the room. It was broken by Amara’s giggle. She hastily cut it off by clapping her hand over her mouth, but her eyes were bright with merriment.
Farah peeked up from under a fan of dark lashes to look at Safia’s face. Safia caught a glimpse of amusement before her sister-in-law hastily looked down at her work.
Layla suddenly became very interested in studying the patterns Farah had drawn out for them to choose from to apply to Safia’s feet. It was obvious she was rubbing her lips to keep from laughing.
“Do not encourage her,” Lunja commanded. “I love my little sister, but she can be very naughty when she’s defending family.”
Safia stuck her chin in the air. “It’s my duty to defend all of you. I won’t send stinging bugs, I promise. Nothing that can harm her. You know I wouldn’t do that. More like stinky ones.”
Tala clapped her hands. “Really stinky ones.”
“Tala.” Lunja objected but found herself laughing. “Don’t encourage naughty behavior in your aunt.”
“It wouldn’t be so naughty, would it?” Tala asked, grinning at Safia.
“She’d just make me do the cleaning,” Lunja said. “Otherwise . . .” She broke off, pressing her hand over her mouth. “I didn’t say that.”
“If she dares call Zdan to have you come clean, you promise me that you’ll be too sick to go over there,” Safia said after the others finished laughing at Lunja’s blunder.
“I can’t lie to him.” Lunja looked horrified.
“The plague will have to be sent tonight, then. You can’t miss your sister’s wedding. I’ll count on you to set everything up for me. If you do get a mild stomachache, I didn’t do it. Aura did.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” Lunja glared at her.
“I said I wouldn’t. You’re my sister. Besides, I must behave. Farah’s going to all the trouble of keeping me safe from anything wicked. I can’t bring the evil eye down on me by harming my own sister.”
“I think it best if you just behave for once, Safia. I doubt your poor husband-to-be has any idea what he’s getting himself into,” Lunja said. “Perhaps one of us should take him aside and warn him.”
Aura sounded like she muffled laughter. “Have you seen that man up close, Lunja? He makes your Zdan look like a teddy bear. He’s as dangerous as they come. I can’t even talk when I’m around him. I try to fade into the background. I don’t know how Safia stands up to him.”
“I saw him,” Amara whispered. She looked around her as if he might be spying on them. “And one of his friends. Believe me, Lunja, you don’t want to just go up to one of them alone. They’re scary men.”
“Petru’s very kind.” Safia intervened before the women became too alarmed. “He looks dangerous. And I suppose he is. He has to be. He has devoted his entire life to hunting vampires all over the world. But with me, he’s very gentle and thoughtful.”
“And too honorable,” Amara added mischievously, instantly dispelling all tension in the room.
“Well, yes, that too,” Safia conceded with an exaggerated sigh, bringing back the laughter.
Aura knelt beside Safia and lifted her left foot. “I would like to try, Farah, if you don’t mind. I’ve been studying the way you apply the henna. I’ve practiced for a long time, and I believe I can do a very good job. I wanted to do this for Safia ever since I first learned of the tradition. I loved it and had Safia’s mother and grandmother show me. They both worked with me. I’m not nearly the artist you are, but I can copy your designs.”