Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
An ode to his job? He loved it that much? A shudder rocked me. Daddy said I saw too much, but with Jasher, I couldn’t glean enough. What I wouldn’t give to discern his inner workings.
“I have three rules you will obey,” he announced, finally speaking up.
I swallowed a groan. “Okay, I’ve got my listening ears on.”
“Do what I tell you when I tell you. Say nothing until I ask a question. And do not lag or you’ll be forced to continue on your own, compass or no compass.”
Irritation bristled over me, but I uttered not a peep. He probably regretted our bargain already. No way I’d give him an out or rock the boat so early in our journey.
“You may respond,” he grated.
Disappointed I hadn’t spoken out of turn right out of the gate? “Dorothy sang songs and skipped arm in arm with her Tinman, but mine demands I bottle my flavor.” How was that for a response?
He whipped his head in my direction. Our gazes snagged. “Did you say…bottle your flavor?”
“Maybe.” I humphed at him. What did the people of this world know of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, anyway?
“Will you abide by my rules or not?” he demanded, maintaining the connection.
I opted for honesty. One, we hadn’t entered Lawless Forest yet. And two, I hated lies. They only ever complicated matters. “I can’t guarantee anything. I might forget in a moment of panic or temper.”
A pause as his magnificent sunset eyes swirled and…glowed? “Who are Dorothy and Tinman?”
His soft, curious tone threw me. He wasn’t going to complain about my coming disobedience?
I gulped, desperate to look away from him but unable. Of course, he didn’t look away, either. He stared as if he couldn’t get enough of the sight of me, and it proved unnerving. Too intense, too quickly. “She’s my prototype, and he’s a nemesis, apparently.” A question had been answered, at least. The citizens of this world knew very little of the tale. “By the way, if we encounter a lion or flying monkeys, keep walking.”
“We will absolutely encounter lions and flying monkeys. I’ll consider it a miracle if we walk away instead of crawl. Especially with the monkeys.” He mimicked my earlier shudder, even though I’d been behind him and he hadn’t seen it.
I gripped his shirt, forcing him to face me fully. A foolish move I couldn’t retract. “Are you teasing me? Tell me you’re teasing me.”
He arched a brow. “Are we in the forest yet?”
Groaning, I pressed my brow against his sternum. Another foolish action.
With his taunt hanging between us, Jasher pried my hands from his clothing, turned, walked into the river. I wasn’t far behind, despite the newest threats: his inconvenient magnetism and those danged lions and monkeys.
The beautiful scenery provided a nice distraction. Crystals glistened from the river’s bottom, visible through the clear, ice-cold water now soaking my sandals. My calves. Goose bumps spread from limb to limb the deeper I ventured. The water beat harder, too, threatening to carry me away. Still, I sustained a decent pace, lumbering forward without incident until the water level climbed and I lost the solid foundation.
Though I fought the tide with every ounce of my being, kicking and paddling as if my life depended on it, the stream snatched me. I tried to holler for help and accidentally swallowed the sweet-tasting liquid. Coughs not words left me.
Panic flared, making me delicious bird food. Before I could wash away, Jasher spun and clasped my waist. He frowned at me.
“I’ve got you,” he stated, as if surprised by his actions. He leaned into the current, swimming for us both.
Calm chased away my fear. “Thank you.” I clung to him, thoughts whirling. Okay, so, he was a heartless executioner, an unparalleled survivalist, an unwilling escort, a culinary genius, and now a life guard. Was there anything he couldn’t do? “I’m usually a great swimmer. I even won awards in high school, but the current is stronger than my will.”
He grunted in response. “You’re talking.”
I’d take that as you’re welcome. “The armor doesn’t weigh you down?”
Another grunt.
Translation: No. “Come on. We haven’t entered the forest yet. That means our journey hasn’t officially kicked off. Your rules are currently inactive. I’d love to learn a little about you, but I’m happy to tell you stories about your mom’s homeland. Rescuer’s choice.”
A third grunt. But he also said, “I trained with the armor and learned how to use it to my advantage.”
Such a warrior thing to say. Also a shock. I thought for sure he’d request information. “Well, I’m impressed.”
His frown returned, and for a moment, he looked as if he’d never received a compliment before. Which was silly. Of course other people had praised him.
Oh! A horned fish popped from the water mere inches behind him, then splashed back down. I pointed. “What’s that?”