Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
“It’s not your fault.” I mop my face. He’s really being kind. First the offer of names and now a tissue (of sorts) for my weeping. “I really am sorry. I didn’t know. How can I make it up to you? More butter?”
Aithar pauses. “I would rather take you out on a date.”
Wait, what? I stare up at him in surprise. Five minutes ago I tried to cut this man’s throat and he’s still thinking romance? “Are you serious?”
His face falls, and it’s like I kicked a puppy. “You do not like me, do you? It’s because of my face.”
I gesture at him. “I literally just tried to torture you!”
“You didn’t mean it.”
I kinda did, I just didn’t have the guts to go through with it. But it’s nice of him to give me the benefit of the doubt, I suppose. “Why would you want to date me? After all this?”
“Because you are clever and determined. Because you have a beautiful voice. Because I find you appealing and I am extremely, extremely disappointed you did not wish to use me for sex.” He gives me a shy smile.
Oh. Jeez. Is he joking? I don’t think he’s joking. “Are all clones as weird as you?”
Aithar’s shoulders slump.
Shit. “That was mean and thoughtless of me. I’m sorry. I’m just shocked. Shocked, and I find the idea of going out on a date with the guy I kidnapped a little strange.” I study his face, and other than the warmth in his gaze and the softness of his mouth, he really could be that asshole from two years ago. “That, and you have the face of the man who kidnapped my sister and I’m struggling with that part.”
He’s not offended by my excuses. “Would you like to meet some other a’ani so you can confirm my words? There are several of us building a cantina in town. I am surprised you have not seen them before.”
“I don’t go into town much.” Just the store, and to deliver my dairy. I stay busy on my farm, because if I’m busy and exhausted, then my brain doesn’t focus on other things, things that make me sad or anxious. So I make butter and I clean house…obsessively. Because if I can control my environment, I can control something at least.
Aithar’s expression turns cheerful again. “Then allow me to escort you into town. It would bring me great pleasure, and you can meet my crew mates and see for yourself that a’ani are clones and I am not pulling on legs. It will be fun.”
He has a weird idea of fun. But I feel so guilty about kidnapping him…and I really want him to contact those bounty hunters on my behalf. Do I keep pretending interest even though he looks like the man I despise? If it gets me one step closer to finding Rafaela again, it’s worth it. “When did you want to do this date?”
“I am free tomorrow.” Aithar tries to compose himself, but it’s clear he’s excited at the prospect of going out with me.
“Tomorrow,” I echo, still finding the entire thing surreal. “Sure.”
He beams at me. “I will return at noon so we can walk into town together. You will like the others. I am the least interesting of our crew. They are all vastly more exciting and cleverer than I am. And you can meet Lady Ruth, Ruthie, and Ruth-Ann. They are our humans.”
My brows go up, alarm swirling. “You have enslaved humans?”
“No, no. They are the humans on our crew. None of us are enslaved anymore, thanks to Lord Straik and his benevolence. He freed me several years ago. And his wife would be furious if he kept humans as slaves. He is very fair, Lord Straik. You will see.” He bows at me and heads for the door.
“Um, bye?”
Almost immediately, he turns around again, that sheepish, almost too-sweet expression on his face. “I almost forgot! The butter. May I purchase some from you? Lady Ruth will be deeply disappointed if I do not bring more home.”
“I thought you said her name was Ruth-Ann?”
“No, we have three humans in our crew. They are all Ruth in some way.” He smiles as if this makes perfect sense.
“Right. Sure.”
“I will introduce you to everyone tomorrow and it will make sense. I promise.”
I don’t know if that’s true, but I’m already in this deep. “Tomorrow it is. Let me get you some butter. You can pay me later.”
He needs to leave so I can process everything I’m feeling right now. Because…it’s a lot. I don’t know if I want to laugh or cry or curl up under a blanket somewhere and not come out for weeks.
Actually I’ll probably just clean something.
Aithar’s gaze flicks to the milking clamp one more time, and his face flushes. “I shall see you tomorrow, Michaela.”