Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Shall I come for you? Say the word!
No! Just…let me handle this! I can’t think with the dragon bearing down on my thoughts. It’s confusing, and I stumble as I move forward.
I feel Zohr mentally back off, and bite back my sigh of relief. Thank goodness. I can only concentrate on one thing at a time, and I can’t worry about filtering his thoughts out of mine. “Hi, Azar,” I manage, trying to sound cheerful and tough at the same time. “You called for me?”
He gestures at the seat pulled at the table next to his. “Sit.”
I move forward, wondering absurdly who moved the chair there for him, since I don’t see him as the type to do it for himself. I pull it out, trying to put as much distance between us without making it seem like I’m retreating, and then gingerly sit down. My hand goes to my belt, and I realize too late that I don’t have a knife with me. Shit, shit, shit.
If he touches you…
Shhh! I need to think!
I give Azar an attentive look. “What’s up?”
His nostrils flare, and for a moment, I panic. “You…smell different.” My heart hammers in my breast as he tilts his head, regarding me. “What has changed?”
“I w-was sick?” I stammer out. “Old Jerry gave me some meds, and I didn’t have time to bathe this morning, so I put on a bit of extra perfume to cover the sweaty smell. Is it bad?” I lift an arm and sniff one of my pits, then glance over at him.
Azar’s lip curls at the sight of me and my crude actions. “Sick?”
“Yup, the flu. Don’t worry, I didn’t sneeze on your food.” I smile brightly, hoping he thinks I am stupid. Everything’s easier when people think you’re stupid.
He clasps his pale, pale hands in front of him, taking time to lace his fingers together, as if he wants to make sure he gets it right. It’s bizarre to watch, but it just confirms my suspicions that he’s a dragon.
Salorian, Zohr returns. There is no doubt in my mind. And he is not drakoni. We are not the same.
I’m surprised by his vehemence. It’s an insult to be the other in his eyes? You sure? He’s got that same weird coloring you do, but you carry yours a lot better.
I can tell by your thoughts you found my coloring pleasing. His thoughts grow smug and sultry all at once. And if you do not believe that he is Salorian, I can touch his mind, find out—
Noooope, I cut off Zohr immediately. Nix that thought.
His mental chuckle feels warm.
Thought you were going to butt out?
This is your mate, pushing out his butt.
It is the hardest thing in the world to not laugh in that moment. I choke a little and then cough into my hand, as if I’m not quite over my cold.
“When I heard you were not responsible for my meals yesterday, I grew curious if you had decided it was time to leave, now that your brother is gone.” The question is put to me with a delicate tone, but there’s steel behind it.
“I can leave if I’m not welcome,” I say quickly, but I’m distressed at the thought. If they boot me from camp and Zohr’s still here—
I will find you, comes the firm reply in my mind.
For some reason, that calms me. I’m able to focus on Azar and his response.
“On the contrary. I wish for you to stay. It would upset me greatly if you were to try to leave.” He gives me a thin smile that’s probably supposed to be comforting and is anything but.
I’m pretty sure this is a veiled threat. “I’m grateful that Boyd and the others made me so welcome here. It’s hard out in the After for a woman alone.” I give him my dopiest stupid-girl smile and lie. “No plans on leaving.”
You act like you are not clever. Do your males believe such things? Zohr asks, his thoughts both scathing and shocked at once.
I ignore him. I have to, because Azar’s speaking again.
“I am glad you will remain. After all, I would hate to lose the one that makes my meals for me.” Again, the thin disingenuous smile. “I wanted to make sure we were clear. I regret the loss of your brother, but I wanted to make certain that you knew your place was here.”
Yup, definitely a threat. “I know where I stand.”
“Good. In my eyes, you are irreplaceable.” I freeze a little at that, but then he picks up his fork and begins to eat with tiny, measured bites.
Oh. He’s talking about the cooking and I’m being a spaz, imagining the worst. ”Thank you.”
He nods, picking at a bit of soggy fruit cocktail with his fork. “You may leave.”
Jeez. How did he ever get a bunch of followers with that shitty, superior attitude? Of course, I’m an idiot because I managed to get sucked in to his group, though not entirely of my own making. With the tight smile on my face and a silent curse at my dumb brother and my even worse luck, I sidle out of the dining room and back into the kitchens.