Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 144433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Perhaps that is why Maeve and I have clicked so very well. She has made it clear that I would have to earn her respect. She sent me to her barn when she was angry at me. She gets in my face and tells me I am wrong when she thinks I am wrong. She's not intimidated by my title. True, she didn't know my title up until a day or so ago, but nothing has changed in how she treats me. I am still the same Zhur to her.
It is a role that has been surprisingly easy to sink into—that of Zhur, a poor and creditless praxiian who tinkers with things in the barn to ensure they run smoothly. Zhur, who likes a meat sandwich and making his mate come against his mouth. Zhur, who wears terrible clothing and walks into town regularly so he can argue about the evils of bread. I have not been this person for long, but already it feels comfortable.
With shame, I think about how many bills were waiting on my desk back home, how many contracts and laws that needed approval for modifications, how many meetings and ambassadors were waiting for a moment of my time. Have I thought about the ramifications of all of that? I have not. I have been fixated on my own fate.
I look over at Nassakth, and he holds the plant in his hands, but he is watching me. His gaze is knowing.
"What..." I wet my dry lips. "What if I don't want to be the Heir anymore? Who am I if I am not Heir Zhurrrvas?"
Nassakth transfers the plant with gentle fingers into a small pot. "Well, the good news is that I won't have to kill you if that's the case."
"Just so we're clear, it would still be an honor if you did, but I would rather stay alive."
He nods, adjusting the plant and packing the dirt down lightly. "I wondered about this. I thought you had approached me because you wanted my assistance with training, or that you wanted me to help you rebuild an army."
Ah. No wonder he was skeptical. "I truly just wished to meet you."
"So it seems. In a way, you remind me of myself." He glances over at me. "When I decided that I could no longer be a gladiator, I had to think long and hard about who I would be instead. Who was Nassakth, if he was not the Scourge of Askorthi Prime?"
"You look like you have figured it out."
He grunts. "It took a little time, but I knew I couldn't stay where I was. Something had to change, so I made it happen." Nassakth dusts the crumbs of dirt off his fingers. "You're still waiting for someone else to step in."
I frown at him.
He continues on. "You're waiting for someone else to pick up the pieces of your life so you don't have to make hard decisions. You're waiting for a rebel army to find you. You're waiting for someone to contact you to tell you that they've taken care of the oppressor and it's safe for you to return home. You're not invested. If you wanted your throne half as badly as your brother does, don't you think you would have done a bit more to regain it? Instead, you've been keffing around with a human wife."
My neck fur automatically bristles. "Don't speak of Maeve like that. She's a good female."
Nassakth raises a hand. "I am not speaking ill of her. I don't know her. But you're not thinking of her and how your future will affect her. If you return to Praxii Minor as Heir, what does this look like for her? You would be expected to mate a female praxiian and have cubs with her. If you remain in hiding and are discovered, what do you think that means for your human wife? She will be a target, just like you. She might even be seen as the reason you did not return."
I swallow. "Maeve and I have an agreement. Whatever comes of the future, she will be fine with it. And I will make certain she is protected."
"You think that fierce female will be fine if you set her aside to take a praxiian mate? It's clear she has affection for you. She attacked me to save you. A fine, fierce—if foolish—female."
I am speechless.
He thinks Maeve truly cares for me? The idea itself is stunning. Our relationship is supposed to be nothing more than convenience. We both know I will be leaving this planet behind once it is safe for me to return home. And yet, now that I allow myself to think about what that moment means...I'm not sure I like it. "I must think for a while."
"Do that," Nassakth agrees. "I will be curious to see what conclusion you come to. And know that if you decide you need to be Heir after all, I will kill you so you do not expose my family."