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)
“This ‘keep away.’ It is a foolish game.”
“Mmm.”
When I continue to walk at her side, Vivi tries to ignore me. I keep watching her, because I notice everything about her, and today she seems…less herself. There is no spark in her gaze, no defiance in her shoulders. Her posture is slumped. I do not like this. “Something troubles you.”
Her mouth quivers. “Please, can you just leave me alone today, Skarr? I’m not having a good day.”
That is easily fixed. I grin at her, and it is so cold it makes my teeth hurt when my lips pull back. “Then your mate is here to make it better.”
Vivi says nothing. Her expression turns to one of despair and she swipes at her eyes. It takes a moment for me to realize they are dripping water.
“Vivi, you are leaking. What happened? What broke?” I stop her and grab her by the shoulders, peering into her face. “Are your eyes melting?”
She pushes away from me, her distressed sounds changing to ones of laughter. “My eyes aren’t melting! I’m crying!”
Someone glances back at us, and at my scowl, quickly turns away again. I focus on my mate, reaching for her face again only to be swatted away by her hands. I have seen the other females crying, of course. They sob and wail and make disgusting wet noises with their misery at being on this planet, but I did not realize that their eyes watered and leaked. It is all the more distressing that Vivi—strong, canny Vivi—is now falling prey to weeping. “You should stop. I don’t like it.”
Another incredulous laugh escapes her and she swipes at her eyes again. “Heaven forbid I do something you don’t like.”
“It distresses me,” I admit. “Are you in pain?”
Vivi shakes her head. “What, you don’t cry when you’re upset?”
“Bah, of course not. I am a gladiator. I do not get upset. I get revenge.”
She makes a face at my words. “Tears have nothing to do with being a gladiator. They’re because I’m feeling emotional.”
“And are you emotional because of me?”
Her mouth twists and she wipes at her eyes again. “For once, no.” She gazes off at nothing. “I dreamed of my father again last night.”
“Your father,” I echo. It is not the thing I expected.
Her expression grows defensive, her mouth pursing as she gives me a defiant look. “I know what you’re going to say. That I’m a clone. That he wasn’t truly my father…but the dreams feel so clear. So real. They felt like my memories.”
Truly, does she think so poorly of me? “I was not going to chastise you. I am envious of such things. My memories have no father, no family.”
“Oh.”
We walk in silence, and I tug the fur wraps closer to me as the wind seems to grow more aggressive with each step. My fingers ache, cold and exposed to the open air, but I cannot wear mittens, not when the other males are carrying spears to protect the females. I cannot hunt in mittens.
But Vivi seems less angry at me this day. Sad, yes, but not nearly as challenging. Perhaps she is seeing my worth after all. I continue to walk at her side, thinking she has picked a poor day if she wishes me to showcase my talents to impress her. My tail is half-frozen and my steps stiff. Hopefully no one else has noticed this. I glance over at her and she is still lost in thought. “What does your father do in your memories?”
“Hm?” She turns to me, as if surprised I am at her side.
“Your father. You say you dream of him. Doing what?”
“Oh.” Her cheeks are bright spots of color, but it is from the wind, I suspect. Even so, it makes her eyes sparkle and I much prefer that than the crying. “I dream about us going camping. Of us being in the outdoors together. And we argue, but it’s fun arguing, you know? Like we’re giving each other shit because that’s our way of showing affection.”
“You give each other shit?”
“Not like that.” She chuckles, and the sound is so lovely and unexpected that it staggers me with the beauty of it. She is oblivious to my awe, though, and continues. “When I say we give each other shit, we’re teasing. Giving each other a hard time.”
“Like how you give me shit,” I agree, pleased. I knew she was not immune to my appeal.
Vivi looks horrified at the thought. “What? No, that’s different.”
I nod sagely. “Even now, you give me shit. I approve.”
“No. I just—you know what? Never mind.” She shakes her head and grips the straps of her pack tighter. “It’s not worth the argument. What about you?”
“What about me?”
“You said you have no family memories, but you seem more…with it than I am. You’re not freaking out about being a clone. You’re taking it all in stride. Why is that?”