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)
I shrug. I have no idea.
“Stasis?” Emma suggests. “They could’ve been put in stasis pods and dumped at different times. To avoid an influx of Omegas?”
“Don’t look at me,” I say. “I know less about all this stuff than either of you, and I can’t remember anything that happened before I woke up. Still, better late than never, I guess?”
“I’ll drink to that.” Kim toasts me. “All’s well that ends well, right?”
“Exactly,” I say.
“We can ask Rose and Haley what they think at the next girls’ night. Where are they, anyway?” Kim asks.
“Rose sends her apologies. She’s busy with affairs of state,” Emma says.
“Girl boss,” Kim crows.
“Good for her,” I add. Rose sounds badass.
“And Haley never RSVP’d. She’s probably gone off the grid with her Alpha again. They’re all about nature, and like to disappear for weeks at a time. You know, living off the land,” Emma explains to me.
“Yeah, they love that life.” Kim wanders over to the bar to top up her drink. “Word is they’ve got a sweet sex cave.”
“You have a one-track mind,” Emma says.
“And I’m proud of it. But anyway, speaking of couples’ secrets… I want to hear about Renee’s guy.”
“Since we recently broke up, there’s not much to say,” I mutter.
Beside the bar floats the skimmer, still piled high with the gifts Krav sent me. The only things I touched were the flagon of hima juice and the kiktu—for the cocktails. Kim pauses to peer at the boxes. “You didn’t want any of these things?”
“Nope. It’s all just more of the same. I want evidence he’s changed.” Emma and Kim both blink at me, so I explain, “He used to give me stuff like that all the time. Gifts. Called me his pet… and treated me like one.”
“Hey, if you’re into that kind of thing, I don’t judge,” Kim says.
I manage a smile. “To be fair, I was into it, but then I fell for him and—”
“And she wanted him to love her back,” Emma finishes for me when my voice cracks.
“Wait—he doesn’t love you?” Kim’s eyebrows are almost touching her hairline.
I swallow past the lump in my throat. “He believes demons aren’t capable of love,” I tell her. “Seems like he’s determined to take after his asshole dad in that regard. So while he took care of every aspect of my physical well-being, he always kept me at a distance emotionally. Like there was an invisible barrier between us. He never listened to what I was telling him, never showed any interest in me as a person.” I sigh. “He doesn’t care about his people, either—says they should be strong enough to fend for themselves. I think that’s what gets to me the most.”
There’s no point in mentioning Mount Vracor. It’s not like Emma or Kim can do anything to help. Besides, this subject is depressing and we’re meant to be having fun.
“What is this supposed to be? A toy?” Kim holds up the little object I rescued when it dropped out from the folds of the cloak.
I take it, examining it closely for the first time. It’s a piece of stone like obsidian, carved into a tiny shape.
“Is that a mini statue of Krav?” Kim asks. “It’s got wings. You said he has wings, right?”
“Yeah, but this isn’t him.” I hold it up and point out the claw feet and lion’s body, topped with the eagle-like head. “It’s a styxian. They’re like griffins. Krav keeps one as a pet—he’s called Plutus.”
I marvel at the delicate carving and the thought behind this gift. Krav sent me a miniature Plutus, a figurine of his beloved pet—whom he cared for against his father’s wishes. Proof that Krav wasn’t his father, that he had a softer side. I miss that part of him.
I also miss his intensity. The fiery heat of his lust, the cool composure of his control. The way he’d dominate me until my orgasms flayed me open. The way he’d gather my hands to his chest to warm them.
Tears fill my eyes. “Oh, guys.” I rest my hand on my throat, mimicking the weight of the collar I used to wear, and surreptitiously stroke the scar where Krav claimed me. Whenever my heart threatens to burst from the pain, touching the bite mark soothes me. “I want to see him again.”
“No,” Kim and Emma say in unison.
“I know it’s a bad idea—”
“Do not, and I cannot repeat this enough, do not call your ex.” Kim lifts her glass in my direction, sloshing it all over herself.
“Stop.” Emma grabs her arm, which only makes the drink spill more. “Kim! You’re spraying everywhere.”
“That’s what she said,” Kim says with a wink, and they both dissolve into giggles.
“Guys, I’m serious. I wonder… would there be a way to see him but without him seeing me?”
“Like a spy cam?” Kim guzzles the rest of her drink and sets the empty glass down. “I’m sure we can rig that. Rose told me her guy has them all over his palace.”