Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 130081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
“You didn’t know what you were doing.” Lan’ara put a hand to her head and winced. “Please—try not to hate yourself. It’s such a difficult emotion to feel!”
“See? I’m still hurting you—even when I’m not even touching you!” Nate took a big step back from her, feeling worse than ever. “We have to face the truth, baby—I’m no fucking good for you. I nearly killed you and I hurt you just by being around you.”
“But you help me too,” she protested. “Your positive emotions—”
“Aren’t nearly strong enough to outweigh my negative ones,” Nate said darkly. “I’m sorry, Lan’ara—I know we said we’d try the Claiming period, but I just don’t think it’s a good idea. I think…” He shook his head. “I think maybe it’s better if we just go back to Earth—or to the Kindred Mother Ship. But I can’t stay here with you anymore—not knowing that I might hurt you at any time, just by being near you. Not to mention if something triggers me…” He shook his head, unable to go on.
Lan’ara’s beautiful purple eyes filled with tears but she didn’t shout or argue or try to change his mind. She simply nodded her head in acquiescence.
“All right, Nate, if that’s the way you want it.”
“That’s not the way I want it,” he said roughly. “But it’s the way things have to be. I’m so fucking sorry, Lan’ara. We just can’t be together.”
“Very well.” She nodded and two fat teardrops rolled down her cheeks. “Because you haven’t had any triggering incidents since drinking the Healing Nectar, I believe you must be safe to go to the Mother Ship. I know…” She stopped for a moment and pressed a hand to her eyes. “I know how much you want to see your human friends again. I hope…hope it will make you happy.”
At that moment, Nate didn’t think anything could ever make him happy again. He felt like the biggest asshole in the world, making her cry like this! He hated himself but even that emotion was bad for her—every negative feeling he had hurt her and it seemed like all he had to offer were negative feelings.
“I’m so fucking sorry,” he said again awkwardly.
“Don’t be.” She shook her head. “You must follow your heart, Nate.” She swiped at her eyes. “I will see that a long-range shuttle is ready for us. There is at least one craft available for Kindred emergencies. We can leave tomorrow.”
As she turned to go, Nate felt an ache deep in his chest—it was like someone was tearing his heart out and with every step she took away from him the pain got worse. But there was nothing he could do about it.
I’m toxic for her—I hurt her just by being near her, he thought unhappily. God, baby—I’m so fucking sorry!
But his pain and sorrow didn’t help—all he could do was watch her walk away.
FORTY-ONE
DAVRIK
“No, I’m sorry Sir Davrik but I am afraid it is quite out of the question. You cannot buy our lovely Songbird Sonya for any price.” The Sluggorn shook his bulbous head, the slime on his body moving in waves with the gesture.
Davrik felt a surge of impatience and anger.
“Is that because you’ve already agreed to sell her to that fucking Trollox?” he demanded. “To Grox?”
Oozle straightened up, his antennae twitching.
“As a matter of fact, that is correct.”
“What? But why? I offered you a fortune for her and you said she wasn’t for sale!” Davrik growled. “What could he possibly offer you that I can’t?”
The Sluggorn pointed both antennae at him.
“Influence…power. He offered me a seat on the Sacred Eight—the ruling body of Opulex and all of Yonnie Six,” he burbled importantly. “Only the most important and influential males are asked to join. Can you offer the same? Do you hold the same influence as Sir Grox?”
Davrik clenched his jaw. Under the table, his fists were clenched as well but somehow he managed to keep his tone even.
“No, I cannot do that. But I can ask you to have mercy on Sonya. Do you know what happens to humanoid women who are taken by Trollox males? Once impregnated by their spawn, they are as good as dead! The Trollox fetus chews its way out, killing the female who carried it to term in the process! It’s an agonizing death.”
The thought of that horrible fate happening to Sonya was more than he could bear! Surely the fucking Sluggorn must see reason!
But Oozle only shrugged his slimy shoulders again.
“What happens to a female once she leaves my ownership is of no consequence to me. I am sorry, Sir Davrik, but I cannot help you. My best advice to you is to enjoy your remaining time with the lovely Sonya, since you will never be able to see her again once the week you have paid for is up.”