Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
“Sorry I took so long.”
“I don’t mind how long you take—I just wanted to be sure you were all right,” he told her. Ducking down, he looked at her more closely. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Of course! Why—don’t I look all right?” Hanna smiled harder, trying not to show the sexual frustration that was tormenting her.
“You seem…on edge,” Wraith told her.
“Just worried we’ll be late for dinner.” She glanced at the watch on her wrist. It had been her mother’s and she wore it for sentimental reasons, but it still kept good time. “Oh no—we really are going to be late if we don’t hurry! Let’s get going.”
“I’m ready when you are,” Wraith told her. He spread his hands. “Always ready.”
“Good, then let’s hurry.” Hanna took one of his big hands in hers and he immediately entwined their fingers. His boots, which had been hovering a quarter inch off the bathroom tiles were suddenly planted firmly on the floor.
“Are you going to wear your armor to dinner?” Hanna asked him, as they walked quickly from her suite to Aunt Luna’s next door. “I mean, I know I’m the only one who can see you, but are you able to change? I’m just curious,” she added. “If you can’t—”
“I can.” His big body shimmered for a moment and then, in place of the chain link armor he was wearing a kind of furry kilt and fur boots. He also had on a tight, dark blue vest that made his eyes look amazing.
“Ohhh,” Hanna breathed. “I really like that! Is that how you dressed when you were alive?”
“It was a ceremonial outfit I wore when I was courting Mara on Twin Moons,” he explained. “Believe it or not, this…” He pointed at the fur kilt, “Is alive. Or it was when I originally wore it. It’s called a tharp and it can change to any configuration you want.”
“I think it looks good like that—really good,” Hanna breathed, eyeing the expanse of muscular thigh the fur kilt revealed. “I—”
“Oh, there you are!” The door slid open and Aunt Luna was standing there. “Come on my dear—and Wraith too, I assume?”
“Yes, and he even dressed for dinner.” Hanna described the outfit her ghost warrior was wearing to her aunt and also Uncle Bruin, who had come in with a tray of drinks.
“Ah yes—traditional Blood Kindred ceremonial garb.” Uncle Bruin nodded as he offered her a drink.
Hanna took a drink, wishing she could offer one to Wraith. Aunt Luna apparently had the same idea.
“I asked Bruin to make four of these yummy Fireflower cocktails,” she said to Hanna. “Would you like to try giving one to your Protector?”
Hanna looked up at Wraith, but he shook his head regretfully.
“I might be solid enough to drink while you touch me, but what happens when we have to break contact?” he said. “The liquid in my solid body will suddenly be suspended in midair when I become incorporeal again. It would probably wind up on your aunt’s carpet, which I’m sure she wouldn’t like.”
Hanna had to admit that this was probably true. She explained what he had said to Aunt Luna, who nodded thoughtfully.
“Yes, he’s probably right. It’s very considerate of him to think about that.”
Hanna thought she saw disappointment in the big warrior’s eyes.
“We can’t try it now, but we will later,” she murmured. “We can do it in the kitchen where there’s no carpet and it’s easy to clean up if there’s a mess.”
Wraith smiled down at her.
“You’re very sweet, little one. I would like that very much. I haven’t tasted food or drink in a very long time.”
The four of them made small talk with Hanna translating. She was glad to see that Uncle Bruin didn’t even bat an eye about including a ghost that he could neither see nor hear in the conversation. He obviously trusted Luna’s word that there was someone there and even went out of his way to make conversation with Wraith, which Hanna translated.
“I’ve done some research, you know, into your ghost warrior,” he said to Hanna, once they were all four seated at the table. “He was the leader of a battalion when he was alive and known for his ferocity in battle.”
“Oh, really?” Hanna looked up at Wraith, who shrugged modestly.
“He was killed by a very unusual poison—we might be able to simulate an antidote for it now, but back then it was untreatable,” Uncle Bruin went on. He looked at the spot where Wraith was sitting. “Oh, and in case you’re wondering—Mara, the female that you loved, moved back to Tranq Prime and Joined with a Blood Kindred warrior. They had three children together—all sons—and their descendants still live on Tranq Prime today. She died at the age of ninety-six of natural causes,” he added.
Wraith was still for a moment on hearing this news, but then he nodded gravely at Bruin.