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)
So, no. I’m not ashamed to admit I consider using a physical reaction as a distraction from the balloon of tension that just continues to grow around us. It would be an easy way to end this conversation, not necessarily less than he deserves, and I’m already full as far as the food.
Not to mention, wet.
Not that I would ever admit as much to Halun.
“Pride will forever be your greatest monster,” he murmurs.
“Probably,” I agree. “I’m done eating. Let’s hope none of it comes back up because you fed me something poisonous.”
He scoffs. “Impossible. You were fated to me. There is nothing that I am, or can provide, that won’t be exactly what you need, Zawla.”
“That is some talent you have to dream up delusions.”
Halun grabs one of the globe berries and tosses it high, catching it easily in his mouth without ever breaking my gaze. He chomps once, twice, swallows, and then tells me, “You’re right about one thing, I have spent a great deal of my life dreaming about who you would be. When you’re ready, I’ll even show you why.”
A part of me wants to ask him to; or at least, demand he explain what he means. Show me? How?
Another part of me just wants to fucking scream.
I opt for another route altogether.
“Sorry, I imagine this is not what you expected it to be, is it?” I shrug.
He stills as if he’s unsure that he’s heard me right while reaching for another piece of food. “What?”
“Me,” I clarify. “I’m not what you expected your mate to be. I’m sure you wanted someone—”
“No,” he interjects, the sudden irritation in his tone surprising me. So much so, that I look back up from where I’ve clenched my hands in my lap. Another distraction that isn’t working. I’d still rather look at him instead.
Halun doesn’t bother with his task of finding a new piece of fruit. Instead, he grabs the cover for the tray, places it over the selection of remaining food, and presses the button on the top that instantly seals the container. He stands, then, and I think it’s to move the food to demand I do something else I won’t want to do now that our meal is over.
But no.
He stands only to round the table where he kneels and reaches for me. I’m too stunned to speak because it isn’t as if this conversation and meal went over well—I was barely tolerable—and he reaches for me gently.
Touches me softly.
There’s a graze of his knuckles along my cheek before he suddenly grabs my chin with slightly more force. Not enough to hurt, but his intention is clear when he moves my head, lifting my gaze to meet him.
“You are not what I dreamed,” he tells me. “You are better.”
I can’t respond. Partly because I can’t form the words—sharp or not—needed, but a knock against the paneled door of our sleeping bunk ends the moment between us. I didn’t even need to say a thing.
Halun drops his hand from me and stands straight, barking towards the door, “What?”
“We’re having a situation with one of the human women on board,” comes the muffled voice on the other side of the door. “Could I speak with you about it? I’m out of solutions.”
Halun crosses the space in four long strides, and his hand finds the panel on the wall to open the door on the way by. The panel door slides open to expose the Hallan responsible for watching Zarah on the other side. Other than a nod in my general direction, his focus quickly shifts back to Halun.
He bows. “Waliz.”
“Which woman?” Halun asks.
I fear I already know, but I still wish for a different answer than the one he already seems ready to give.
“Zarah,” the Hallan replies solemnly.
I’m up out of the chair before he even finishes saying her name, and when I head for the door, Halun doesn’t even try to stop me.
“Where is she?” I demand.
*
“Is she trying to hide—sobbing, trembling?” Luna asks the Hallan guard as she exits the room. He doesn’t give her an answer straight away but the quick dart of his gaze to somewhere else but her face tells me that he doesn’t want to make the news worse than it already is.
So, she’s probably right.
I’m right on her heels which is a prime spot when she turns on me with that heated glare that tells me she’s ready to fight. “See, you were so concerned about getting me on the ship that you didn’t even think about how being confined or in a strange place might make Zarah feel. Now look.”
“At what?” I ask.
“Where even is she?”
“Down the hall,” the guard mutters, taking the lead so the sudden stare-down happening between Luna and I will break. It doesn’t.
At least, not right away.
“What?” I ask her. “Did you think I would have her bunking with everyone else? No, she’s down the hall using the same suites we are. High Royal.”