Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 85553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Magic words, because do I ever. I’ve been wanting to get away since we got here. I nod at him, and he gets to his feet and holds a hand extended down to me.
And maybe it’s the humming khui in my chest, or the fact that Skarr seems to listen to me when I’m anxious and miserable and wants to help, but the hand he holds out feels sweet and romantic. I put my good one in his, and my fingers are warmer than his. His eyes flare with appreciation as he notices this and he squeezes my hand tighter. “I am going to have to keep close to you for warmth,” he murmurs in my ear as I get to my feet. “You feel good.”
“It’s the alcohol,” I say, but I feel pretty good, too. I take another drink and stagger against him. The sah-sah tastes like juice but man, it hits hard.
“Come,” he says, with his arm around my waist to support me. “We will go somewhere quiet.”
Valmir smirks as we leave the group, but I’m feeling too loose to care. This is the first time in several days that I haven’t been beside myself with fear and doubt, and it’s all thanks to the alcohol…and Skarr.
He’s probably being nice just to get into my pants, but right now? Seems like a fair exchange.
Mentally, I picture handing my leather pants over to Skarr and him putting one heavy green leg through, and I chortle to myself.
“Perhaps you should slow down on the drink,” he says against my neck as we wobble away from the group. “I do not know how hard such things hit humans.”
“Did you get a lot of drinks as a gladiator?”
“Not many. Only when I won.”
“So you didn’t win a lot?”
“Bah, of course I did. What a foolish question.” He casts his gaze down the beach, looking for a spot. “Let us go near the string of huts along the cliffs, perhaps. I imagine it is safe there. We should avoid the water.”
“We should,” I agree. “The water is scary.”
“I have never seen this much water. Or this much ice. There is not a lot of call for ssethri splices to be taken to colder climates.”
“This place sucks,” I agree cheerfully. “You can say that, since we’re stuck here.”
“It is merely challenging, but that is why they sent the best here,” Skarr declares as we walk along the shore, a good distance from the water’s edge.
“But we’re not the best if you lose all the time—”
“Female! I did not say such a thing!” He gives me an indignant look.
I just giggle harder, like I know all of Skarr’s dirty secrets. He sure is sensitive about his winning record. If I was sober, I’d probably poke at that more. As it is, I just like the funny faces he’s making. “Someone’s cranky.”
“Someone is being insulted by the very female he is trying to impress.”
“Are you trying to impress me?” I lean back—not an easy feat given the fact that I’m leaning against him. I swivel forward and he has to put his other arm around me to ensure I don’t flop to the ground.
Skarr frowns down at me. “Of course I am. You have not realized this?”
“I just thought you were being…you know…you.”
“I am trying to impress you so that you will accept that you are my mate.” He pulls me into his arms, like we’re hugging. “And then we will breed babies together.”
Ugh. Babies. I put a hand on his face and push him away. He releases me, and I tumble backward into the sand…which makes me laugh harder.
Man, being drunk is fun.
I lie on my back and stare up at the night sky. So pretty. The sand feels soft underneath me, and I move my arms and legs back and forth, making a sand angel. Skarr thumps down next to me, sitting, but he doesn’t say anything. He’s quiet.
That’s…not like him.
I sit up, squinting my bleary eyes at him. “What’s wrong?”
Skarr watches me thoughtfully, his pretty hair floating around his face gently, like some sort of lizardy cartoon prince. “You do not want children?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I never thought about it before now. Before here.” I tilt my head, considering. “At least, that I know of. Maybe I did, but I can’t remember.”
He grunts.
I nudge him with my boot. “But you want children?”
“It was not an option I thought I would have. I would not mind it, though. I will be the best of fathers.”
“Because you’re the best at everything, right?”
My teasing words please him. Skarr smiles. “Obviously. And you will be the strongest, fiercest mother.”
I ponder this. I could be a fierce mother, sure. “Our kid would have to learn tracking. And how to build a fire.”
“And how to kiss.”
I explode into laughter, toppling onto my side. “You crazy man. I’m not going to show my kid how to kiss.”