Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 242728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1214(@200wpm)___ 971(@250wpm)___ 809(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 242728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1214(@200wpm)___ 971(@250wpm)___ 809(@300wpm)
He inhaled and plucked at the bison fur around his thighs. “You must be careful to be respectful of the flames, Runa. Do what they ask because it is you they’re ultimately trying to protect. They have guided our clan and our ancestor’s clans for generations and don’t do things without purpose. They will protect you—like they have protected me, but they will demand fealty and obedience for doing so.” His eyes met mine, deep and dark. “One of their requests is that you no longer speak the forbidden language.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but he spoke over me.
“I’ve heard you speaking Zenasha to Darro. You are both fluent. How that is and why you know a tongue that no one has used since the dawn of time is a mystery I haven’t been worthy to know. But you must both speak in Firenese from now on.” He smiled and sat up straighter. “The fact that Darro speaks Firenese hints at Quelis origins, just like you. In a few moons—if he returns to our clan and wishes to stay with us, and if he has the strength to see you mated to Aktor and decides to choose a Nhil mate of his own—then I will request the fire to name him Quelis and grant him its gifts. But...”
He took my hand, curling his dry, strong fingers around mine. “You cannot be together, Runa. You can’t leave, do you understand? It might seem like a curse, but really, it’s a blessing. You’re safe as long as you stay with the Nhil. To leave is to die. I have seen it.”
Letting my hand go, he leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek. “I cannot control your actions, Runa, nor will I try to prevent you from living the life you wish. All I ask is that you believe me when I say I love you. I love you as my own flesh and blood, and I will do what any loving father would do to protect his gifted daughter—”
The flaps of the lupic suddenly swung wide, and the one male I never wanted to see again but was now bound to for eternity limped uninvited inside. His leg had been bound in a fresh poultice. Despite the wound, he suffered no fevers like Darro had from Syn’s bite.
Solin reared away from me, his face settling into stoic annoyance. “Aktor. I see you’re well healed.”
Aktor swiped a hand along his thick single braid before tossing it over his shoulder. The ash-tattoo of a snake coiled around his dark shoulders as his skin gleamed in the sunlight casting him from behind. “I’ve been better.”
“But at least you are not worse.” Solin smiled a thin smile and stood. Aktor might be Solin’s nephew and true flesh and blood, but I believed him when he said I was now the daughter of his heart.
He’d chosen me over everyone.
And he would fight anything and everything to honour his promises to keep me safe.
I still couldn’t forgive him for imprisoning me to Aktor’s heartbeat and lifespan, but at least I could trust him that he wouldn’t let the chief’s son ever make me bleed again.
“I want to speak to Runa.” Aktor puffed up his chest, revealing a few scars from historical hunts and whatever injuries he’d earned as a youngling. Muscles ran thick and tight down his stomach, his manhood hidden by his wrapped bison fur. The shaved sides of his skull shone, and he wore the same beads and bison horn around his neck from last night.
If he was any other male, I would say he was attractive.
But I saw the monster beneath the pleasant façade.
My skin prickled and my heart skipped, wishing Darro was here.
Where is he?
I gasped as a lancing pain shot through my heart.
The thought of never seeing him again?
I—
I couldn’t breathe.
“You may speak to her, if Runa wishes to speak to you in return,” Solin muttered, moving to his side of the lupic while gathering his hair into a messy braid, his fingers working quickly, securing the end with a small string of sinew.
Aktor glowered in my direction. His teeth worked and his eyes flashed with frustration. Slowly, with a sharp inhale, he loosened his fists, relaxed his shoulders, and spoke in a tone I’d never heard before. A soft, pleasing baritone. “Runa...I would very much like to talk to you. To...” He flashed his palms with a small shrug. “To clear the air. To wash away our past and discuss our future.” He limped toward me, his legs strong with sprigs of black curls. “I would also like to...” He swallowed as if he tasted something tart. “Apologise.”
I flashed a look at Solin who brushed his teeth with a frayed twig from the miswak tree.
“Only if you want to, Runa.” Solin spat out a mouthful of water before cupping more liquid from the water-tight bowl and rinsing his face.