Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
But Willow did. She’s given this rare gift to us. Her heart is so soft, so kind. She’s exactly what we need, and because of her, this will become a night I’ll never forget.
Chapter 73
WILLOW
The dinner is delicious, the drinks aplenty, and everyone has their guards down for once and are centered in peace.
There’s a serenity to this moment, seated amongst Caz’s family and friends. I met Veno’s wife, Tallulah, who is a beautiful woman and the complete opposite of Veno. Where he’s serious and alert, Tallulah is playful and giggly. I’ve not met Lew before tonight, but when he came in, he couldn’t stop staring at me. Not in a disturbing way, but more like he was trying to understand me and how I’d gotten with Caz. Simpson and Paulina did the same, but more in awe. They’re very nice, but they have a look to them—one bred from roughness and difficult times. I get the sense that they’re two people you should not mess with. Simpson is tall and lean, a light-skinned brown man with a great smile. And Paulina has a very strong build, her skin pale, hair red, and cheeks splattered with freckles. She looks tough, but also carries a feminine grace.
They all have stared, and I bet it’s hard for them to understand what Caz and I have. Caz isn’t the kind of man who settles down, that much has been clear. He doesn’t like people and prefers to be alone. He’s their leader, and I’m this woman who literally fell out of the sky and is now sitting next to him with my hand in his lap. He holds on to me like I’ll float away if he lets me go.
Lew’s wife, Nikita, is stunning and in my world would pass as an Asian or Pacific Islander. She’d kept me entertained a bit before Caz’s arrival, telling me all about her teenage daughter who was going through a rebellious phase and didn’t want to start drinking youthwater yet.
It was interesting to learn that people don’t start drinking youthwater in Vakeeli until they’re eighteen. Apparently, when a person turns eighteen, a ceremony is placed for them to enter adulthood. They’ll drink their first cup of youthwater and celebrate a long, prosperous life.
“She says youthwater is a punishment!” Nikita exclaimed before. “She doesn’t understand that it can give her a fruitful life! So many kids would kill to get even a drop of youthwater. But anyway, you and Monarch Harlow, huh? How is that? Is he much nicer than he lets on? No, never mind. Don’t answer that. I’m just glad he’s finally found someone to be with. I don’t want to hex it.”
The three women Maeve hired to cater and help with dinner are named Bella, Joelle, and Danica. Bella and Joelle are mother and daughter, Joelle being the mother, and Danica is their assistant.
There is something unique about Danica. Besides one of her eyes being a ghost-gray with a red scar running from the bottom of her brow to the tip of her eyelid, there’s something else about her and I can’t quite place my finger on it. She’s been staring at me since she arrived, which isn’t new considering everyone has been stealing glances. I’m the new chick around, and I’m sleeping with the monarch of Blackwater, but Danica doesn’t know I’m new…I don’t think. Regardless, she stares at me with an all-knowing gaze, that one sharp brown eye locking on me every chance it can. Her skin is like porcelain, her hair a soft black collected into one braid that falls down the center of her back. She hasn’t said much, while Bella and Joelle were practically gushing to Maeve and Juniper about letting them cater and serve us for the night.
Even now, Danica watches from the kitchen. Her hands are busy, but she cuts her eyes at me sporadically, zoning in, before going back to slicing something with a knife.
A hand drops to my upper thigh and squeezes lightly. I look to my right, into blue eyes. “You okay?” Caz asks.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” I place my hand on top of his, giving it a squeeze back. “Did you like the dinner?”
“I did. It was great. How about you? I know it wasn’t a cheeseburger, but still good, eh?”
I laugh. “Yeah. It was good. Especially the water beans.”
“Told you you’d like them.”
Joelle, Bella, and Danica make their way to the table with large trays in hand. On the trays are small plates with slices of yellow cake, berries, and gold cream.
“Have you ever had Gold Cake before?” Nikita asks from across the table as a plate is set in front of me.
“Of course, she hasn’t, Nikita,” Juniper quips, rolling her eyes. “She hasn’t been in our world long.”
“I’m only asking.” Nikita shrugs, slicing her fork into the cake. “Whether you have or not, it’s so good. In fact, I’ll probably ask for seconds.”