Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 69711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Renee scoffs. “You think I’ll come when you call? Don’t hold your breath.” She picks her way through the fallen detritus and glides through the open door. Her graceful exit makes me feel worse.
Slamming doors. Stomping boots. The hriox’s sad song, accompanied by muffled sobs. I clutch my head, willing the memories to stop. My claws tear into my scalp.
When I lower my hands, the castle is silent. Renee is long gone. And where there used to be warmth and light in the bond, there’s nothing left but emptiness.
As it should be.
Renee
I curl up on my bed, but there are no more tears. Words can’t describe how upset I am. The more I try to get closer to Krav, to get him to open up to me, the more he retreats. And that conversation just now was the final straw.
It was hard for me to approach him about the kid thing, especially to admit that I want one… with him… and then he just casually told me that not only has he been actively using birth control—without my knowledge—he didn’t even understand why it would be any of my business!
What the actual fuck?
It wasn’t intentional deceit, either. He didn’t look like a guy caught in a lie. He genuinely didn’t think he needed to tell me.
Why?
Because he doesn’t think I’m important enough. Because he doesn’t see me as a partner. Because he’s incapable of feeling any emotion other than pride, lust, anger, and jealousy. Four of the seven deadly sins, come to think of it.
And now his kingdom is at risk of being swallowed up by lava—the parts that aren’t already covered in it, that is. I once saw a documentary on Pompeii, how the entire city was devastated by the erupting volcano in just fifteen minutes. Now the poor Pyredii are facing a similar fate. I wish I could do something.
Infuriatingly, I can’t even help myself. I’ve been sent to my room like a naughty child. So as far as I’m concerned, Krav can go fuck himself. Literally. I will not be his good little pet anymore.
My chest aches. The sweet music in the bond between us has faded to nothing but a hollow moan. Am I going to feel the chill of this emptiness forever? Things could have been so different. We could have been happy, if he’d just let me in. Treated me like a freaking equal. Instead, all I can do is burrow under the covers and throw myself a pity party.
My attention is drawn to a flashing light beside my bed. It’s coming from one of the weird orbs that dim or grow bright depending on the time of day.
“Hello?” a familiar voice calls. It’s high and feminine. Human. British. And it’s coming from the orb.
“Emma?” I scoot closer to the sphere, and my new friend’s pretty face appears. I had no idea my nightlight could double as an alien video chat device.
“Yep, it’s me,” she says. “Just me. Hope I’m not disturbing you, but I was worried about you after our call the other day.”
“You’re not disturbing me at all. In fact, your timing couldn’t be better!” The empathy in her voice is about to set me off weeping all over again. Hopefully she won’t notice how sore my eyes are.
She leans forward, peering at me. “You okay? You look like you’ve been crying.”
It’s so typical. I hardly ever cry. Today was the first time since I arrived, I think. Phillip once accused me of using tears as emotional manipulation, and that was when I swore never to cry because of—or in front of—a man again. But damnit, it took me ages to make peace with the thought that I’ll never be a mom. So to have that carrot dangled in front of me again out of nowhere, with a guy I’m crazy about, no less, only for it to be then yanked away by the same guy… it was too much. Krav just looked stunned when I started sobbing. Figures. “I’m fine,” I tell Emma. “Didn’t sleep too well. Eyes are a bit dry.”
It's obvious from her expression that she doesn’t believe me but she doesn’t press the issue.
“How are you doing?” I ask. “Everything okay in, uh, your kingdom?”
“Altrim.” She grins. “Yes. We’re fine. I just wanted to see how you were doing.”
“Aww, that’s sweet.” I extend a finger to touch the glowing sphere in front of me, then hesitate. It’s emanating heat. Is it some sort of transparent metal? Glass? “I still can’t believe we can talk through these… orb thingies.”
“I know, right?”
“Although I shouldn’t be surprised, what with all the magic that exists here.”
Emma’s eyes light up. “Isn’t it amazing? Do your paintings move, too?”
“Huh?” I’m confused.
“I love to paint, always have,” she explains. “Soon after we met, Khan got a local artist to teach me how to use their magic paint. Now my pictures literally move!”