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)
"Dress," I manage as he tosses the towel away and returns to my side. "I owe Milly for the dress. And the ride here, now that I think about it."
"We'll make sure they're compensated." He pulls me against him, my butt tucked against his front, his arms around me. "As for you, I don't know if I should chastize you or kef you again for your impetuousness."
"I know which one I'm picking," I joke.
"You put yourself in danger, Maeve. I dislike that intensely." But he rubs his muzzle against my hair again, and his hand slides to cup my breast, teasing the nipple with idle fingers. "You didn't know if I was safe."
Everything turned out fine. I'm not sure why he's still busting my chops. Or, okay, I know why he is, but to me, it's water under the bridge. "I rolled the dice. I was safe on Risda but it didn't exactly fill me with joy and the burning need to farm. You make me happy. I wanted to be with you. It's as simple as that."
"No, it isn't that simple. But I'm glad you're here anyhow." He holds me tighter against him. "I don't know where Rem's going to send us for exile or when. I just know that we're going to be under watch and if we want to start a family, we'll have to wait for him and his mate to have children first so his line can be established."
Yikes, are we having the children talk? "Will you be upset if I say I won't be ready for kids for at least five years?"
He chuckles. "Will you be upset if I say 'thank kef' to that? We have enough going on at the moment."
I relax, snuggling down against him again. I think about Kim and Nassakth and their kids and how cute they were. I also think about how tired Kim was. And I think about Milly, with her heavy belly and her sensitive stomach. "I do want kids. Just...I would like things to be calm for a while first."
He huffs with amusement. "I don't think you know what the word 'calm' means."
"Lots of time for us to worry about other people instead of ourselves?"
"Mmm, fair enough." And he presses a kiss into my hair. "I don't know if I said it, but I'm glad you're here. I feel like the luckiest male ever. I thought you would never want to join me. I thought I was your 'buddy.'"
"I'm pretty sure I was trying to convince myself that I didn't feel anything." I'm so glad I proved me wrong, too.
CHAPTER
ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE
MAEVE
Rem's a suspicious sort. Throughout the next day, Zhur is pulled aside for questioning and for going over the new plan repeatedly. Contracts are reviewed again. I'm questioned, too. I guess Rem's on edge after his brother showed up with a surprise human bride. Once they're satisfied with my answers, I'm given a list of people I can speak with, people I should avoid, and items I can discuss.
"This list is written in praxiian," I complain to Sanassa as she tastes my lunch. "How am I supposed to know what the hell it says?"
"You're to ask for advice," Sanassa says, delicately wiping her mouth as she tastes another bite of food and then starts a timer. "It's not an oversight. It's to ensure that you work with the palace staff."
I make a face, but fine, whatever. I said I'd play along and I meant it.
Our quarters are full of people today. There are maids who are cleaning the room, body-servants who are drawing a bath and deciding what are the best kinds of soaps and shampoos for my “human fur” to make it glossy. There's a make-up artist waiting for me once my bath is completed. There's two seamstresses working feverishly in one corner of the room to make me a gown acceptable for the wedding tomorrow. There are also sixteen guards—I counted—stationed strategically in the room and just outside.
Why Zhur didn't run away from this a million years ago, I have no idea. It feels like I'm going to turn over a pillow and find another person busy at work on something else. I like people, but I don't know that I like all of them underfoot. "Where's Zhur?"
"The Heirs are meeting with the diplomats from visiting planets to reassure them the changeover will be smooth," she says. "They will be occupied for most of the day, I'm afraid. Once they're done with meetings and your dresses are ready, you and your mate will be interviewing with the media. Heir Remrrrtel has selected who you will be speaking with. Then, of course, there will be portraits and vid collages to be shared with the general public."
My eyes cross. It's a lot.
"And then of course the wedding is tomorrow. But after the festivities are completed, your husband's exile will be established and you will be free of all of this," Sanassa says cheerfully. "I'm told you and Former Heir Zhurrrvass will be sent with a minimum of servants to accompany you into your exile."