Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66405 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66405 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“Oh no, ish wonerful!” Addie slurred quickly. “It’s jusht that…that I really can’t afford to eat it. I mean, because of the, um, diet I’m on, you know.” She patted her stomach and grimaced apologetically.
“Ah, I see.” Lx Sambla nodded. “Well don’t worry—I’m sure your diet will work eventually. In the meantime, there’s simply more of you to love.”
Addie didn’t know how to feel about this backhanded compliment but luckily the feast seemed to be coming to an end. People were finishing their desserts and pushing the bloody pie plates away. Then the three old women on the Council of Aged Ones rose from their padded bench at the end of the table.
“Will all the eligible, un-bonded young women please meet us at the doorway of the Room of Sighs?” Ls Prissa asked, her voice coming out sounding loud and strong and surprisingly young considering her obvious age. “The Council of Aged Ones will be picking which of you will be in the Choosing Ceremony in just a few moments.”
Finally—the Choosing Ceremony! Addie thought.
She just hoped that she was sober enough to observe and remember afterward for the paper she wanted to write.
8
ADDIE
“Well, lovely one—shall I help you to the Room of Sighs? You appear to be a bit, er, unsteady,” Lx Sambla said as he pulled out Addie’s chair and offered her his arm.
“Oh, thank…” She hiccupped. “Thank you. That’s sho nishe of you.”
But as she reached to take the ambassador’s arm, Drago was suddenly there between her and Sambla.
“I don’t think so,” he growled, slipping an arm around Addie’s waist possessively. “I can take her from here.”
Sambla took a step back, a look of mild amusement on his sharp, handsome features.
“Oh? And do you know the way to the Room of Sighs where the Ceremony of Choosing is to be held?”
“No, and I don’t need to know,” Drago said shortly. “Because Addie isn’t going anywhere near your fucking ceremony!”
“Drago!” Even halfway drunk—(okay, maybe more than halfway)—Addie was horrified. “Don’t you dare shpeak to our hosht that way!” she slurred angrily. “Of coursh I’m going to the cermernony. I mean the ceremony. The Council of Old Ladies, I mean Aged Ones invited me to partishipate."
Drago tightened his grip on her waist.
“You’re not going anywhere or participating in anything. You’re drunk,” he growled.
“Am not!” Addie protested, glaring up at him. “I jusht a lil’ tipshy—that’s all!”
"You can't make good decisions in this state," Drago argued. "I sat there watching you through the whole dinner—you barely ate anything but you had three full glasses of that liquor they were serving—liquor strong enough to put a full-grown warrior under the table. I don't even fucking know how you're still standing!"
“I’m fine.” Addie pulled away from him and straightened up to her full height. She looked down her nose at the big warrior—well, she tried to anyway. It wasn’t easy since he was seven feet tall and she had to look up to see him. “I’m fine,” she repeated. “Now excushe me. I promised to attend the cerminony and that’s what I’m going to do!”
“You will not!” Drago reached for her but Lx Sambla inserted himself neatly between the two of them.
"Please, Commander Drago—I don't think you understand. Our lovely Addison has already been approved to attend the Ceremony of Choosing by all three members of the Council of Aged Ones. If she backs out now, it will cause a great scandal."
“Shee?” Addie peered around the tall ambassador’s narrow shoulder. “If you don’t be careful we’re going to cause a sandal. I mean a schadal. I mean we’re going to make a scene,” she finished, pleased to find a word that was easier to say than “scandal.”
“The lovely Addison is correct. Now that she has been approved by the entire Council, she must participate,” Sambla said smoothly.
“Bullshit,” Drago growled. “I don’t give a Goddess-damn about causing a scandal. If you think I’m going to let you take Addison off somewhere to do whatever you fucking want with her—”
“Excuse me?” Lx Sambla’s dark eyes narrowed. “Are you accusing me of attempting to sexually molest Lssa Addison?”
“I’m saying I know your type,” Drago snarled. “And I don’t fucking trust you alone with Addison—especially when she’s fucking drunk!”
“You wound me, Commander Drago.” Sambla put a hand over his heart and widened his eyes sincerely. “But even if I wished to molest the lovely Addison, I could not. For I am sworn to Sheelash’s service and that means I am also sworn to celibacy.”
“Shellibacy?” Addie looked at him in disappointment. “Does that mean no nookie ever?”
“If by ‘nookie’ you mean sexual relations, then I am afraid so, my lovely one.” Sambla gave her a sad smile. “Though I must say, your beauty tempts me to break my vows. But I cannot. Sheelash is not kind to those who leave her service without permission.”