Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“I’ll have you know, I do. My father always made sure I understood the importance of the king being connected to our people. Every child born is brought to be presented before our family. I take it upon myself to make sure each family has everything they need, to play with the kids when they get older and run around the riverbank and through the fields.” He leans in. “That way they stop thinking I’m so terrifying.”
I laugh. “Well if you stopped scowling all the time.”
“My scowl worked on you.”
I scoff as we arrive at the dining hall. Selina pats the seat next to her. Before I can even reach it, though, Bothaki stands, extending his hand to Selina.
“Actually, my love,” he says to her. “We’re going to eat in another room. I have a surprise for you.”
“You just gave me a surprise yesterday.” She giggles as she stands. “Not that I’m complaining.”
“Actually, Bo, I thought Luna could check on the surprise first, before you and Selina head in,” Halun offers. At Selina’s furrowed brows, he explains, “We brought the gift from Earth. We just want to make sure it is okay from the journey.”
Bothaki’s eye widens in recognition, and he nods.
“I think that might be best.”
“It’s the next room to your right,” Halun tells me before kissing my forehead.
“Thank you,” I whisper as I pass him.
I hear him speak while I leave the room. “And I’m taking Fate while you see your surprise.”
I quietly open the door to the room and find Zarah standing with her back mostly to the door, looking at the many pictures lining the walls. She twists her hands in front of her, quickly making her nerves obvious.
“You look lovely,” I say.
She jumps a little as she turns to face me. Then, she smooths her hands down her yellow dress.
“You think?” she quietly asks.
“Very,” I assure her while closing the door. “Are you ready?”
She takes a deep breath and nods. “Have you seen her?”
“Her, and her daughter.”
“A daughter,” she says, sighing shakily.
“They’re both doing amazing. Selina will be here in a few minutes. Halun offered to take the baby for now.”
“I think that’s best. I don’t know …” She turns to look out a window. “I haven’t seen my daughter anywhere but the sanitorium waiting room since she was so little. This is the first time I can hug her without worrying I’ll be punished for it later. Or see her look at me without that fear in her eyes. Or be able to actually tell her I’m okay and mean it. I’ve yearned for this day for so long, but now that it’s here …”
“You’re feeling a lot of emotions you didn’t expect, or know what to do with?” I provide.
“Exactly. But I know when I see her, it’ll all be okay. That much, I’m certain about.”
I sit in one of the chairs and Zarah leaves the window after a few more minutes to sit on one of the largest couches, and the one that faces the door. The moment the door begins to open, her eyes light up like I have never seen.
“Now what is this sur—”
Selina’s words cut off and her smile drops before her mouth opens in shock as she sets eyes upon her mother. Zarah need not have even bothered sitting on the couch because as soon as Selina begins to rush towards her, she does the same. Their arms wrap around each other and the tears are instant.
“How …” Selina backs up, her eyes looking over her mother like she can’t believe she’s actually there. “How are you here?”
Zarah’s eyes go to Bothaki. “Him. I assume this is Bothaki?”
“It is my pleasure to meet you,” he says as he takes Zarah’s hand.
He begins to bow at the waist and bring her hand to his forehand, but she instead brings both of her hands to his face.
“You saved my daughter,” she says low.
He shakes his head. “She saved me.”
“Oh, I have so much to tell you!” Selina exclaims. “And you have to meet Fate.”
“What a beautiful name. Come sit.” Zarah pulls Selina and Bothaki towards the couch. “Tell me everything. And then I’ll meet my gorgeous granddaughter.”
“Where should I even start?” Selina asks nervously.
“Well, I would really prefer it if you began with you killing your father.”
There’s a beat of silence, and then we all burst into laughter.
I should leave now, clearly seeing whatever emotions Zarah was trying to process, she’s just fine with Selina and Bothaki. But when I begin to rise, Selina is quick to ask me to please stay. That there are stories she hopes her mother and I can share with her as well. About how all this came to be … which won’t be very pleasant stories. About how Earth is doing … which are slightly less pleasant stories. About how I found myself being Halun’s mate … which will start out not so great but end with me accepting, and being happy, at who fate chose for me.