Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 135784 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135784 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Bethiah and Jerrok exchange a look. "That's not the present," Jerrok says after a moment, and his expression is so very gleeful.
"It's not?" I look at their two grinning faces in confusion. "There's more?"
"Oh kef me, yes there's more," Bethiah says. "And I can't wait to offload this particular one." She nudges Jerrok forcefully and then heads back up the ramp into her ship. "Wait here."
I watch Jerrok, but he only grins with pure delight, as if he can't wait to see my reaction. I'm utterly mystified—what is this gift that's so exciting to both of them and Bethiah is more than ready to get rid of it? Is it more human stuff? That's kind of exciting, I wouldn't mind seeing something like a board game, or even a deck of playing cards because—
My train of thoughts dies as Bethiah comes out of the ship with her arms full of iridescent scales and wiggling legs.
A little squeal erupts from my throat.
It's a carinoux. A baby one, from the size of it. It makes a kittenish mewling noise and then licks Bethiah's wrist, long tongue snaking out between tiny little fangs. The little carinoux has the biggest eyes, and my heart melts as Bethiah pries it off her wrist and holds the squirming, wriggling thing out to me.
"Oh my god," I whimper as I take the baby into my arms. "How on earth did you get this?"
The little carinoux immediately latches onto me with all of its legs and begins to lick my chin with a raspy tongue. It's warm and heavy and little claws are pricking into my skin, but I absolutely do not care. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen. At my side, Sleipnir sniffs it, pushing his nose against the baby's skin and whuffing.
I turn to Jerrok, utterly shocked. "How did you afford—"
He shakes his head, raising his hands in the air in denial. "This is all Bethiah. I just told her you might be interested."
"Lies." Bethiah rolls her eyes. "The moment he heard I had a baby, he wanted me to bring it for you. He thought you might like it." She reaches out and scratches at the small ears. "It's a girl, by the way. Maybe you can breed them."
"Oh, but…" The baby carinoux continues to lick my chin, raspy tongue abrading my skin. I wince and continue to snuggle it against my chest. "They're so expensive."
"They are, but this one was going to be put down. The people that were supposed to be buying it ended up being allergic. It went to a second buyer but it's a bit of a chewer, and they suggested I find a home for it. I got it dirt cheap."
"Should we take it back to its homeworld?" I bite my lip, worried. Sleipnir is super smart, and I don't want to keep an intelligent animal from its home if it can feasibly go back. "It doesn't seem fair to keep her if she can go home."
"This one can't," Bethiah says bluntly. "It comes from a line of genetically modified ones that have been bred for docility. She'd get eaten alive if you dropped her on that planet." She shakes her head, still scratching the small bud ears. "Don't know why you'd want to breed docility into a protector-kin, but that might also be why she was cheap to buy. No one wants a lazy protector."
I press a kiss to the leathery little snout, already in love. "I want her."
Jerrok's been quiet this whole time. He watches me, his expression tight. "You sure? I don't want you to feel pressured." It's like he's suddenly realizing that springing a pet on someone for a gift isn't the best idea.
But this baby? This carinoux? I'm thrilled. Sometimes I worry that I'm so caught up with Jerrok—and him with me—that we don't have enough time for Sleipnir. I feel guilty every time we kick my pet out of the bedroom so we can make love. If he has a companion to snuggle with, he'll be happier…and I'm all for growing our odd family.
I kiss her snout again. "Her name is Freyja," I decide, to keep in theme with Norse mythology. "Sleipnir, say hello to your new girlfriend. She's a little young for you, but I trust you to be a gentleman." I set her down on the floor next to him and watch them.
Freyja blinks her eyes up at the full-sized Sleipnir, and then rolls onto her belly, wiggling like a puppy.
Sleipnir makes a sound that sounds awfully close to disgust, drops to his feet, and begins to lick the kitten. It immediately curls up between his front paws, and he continues to wash it as if he's disgusted at what a mess she is. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen.
Second cutest. I turn to my mate, a sharp look in my eyes. I grab him by the front of his tunic. "You. I need to see you alone for a minute." My voice is hard and stern. "Bethiah, you'll have to excuse us for a moment. We need to discuss something."