Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“Oh…” Dr. Lucille’s honey-colored eyes had gone wide as he spoke. “That’s…your oath was beautiful, T’zaren,” she said at last. “I, er, never expected anything like it!”
T’zaren hadn’t either. Because the emotions the words evoked in him as he spoke them were nearly overwhelming. A part of him wanted to think that the little blonde actually was his S’rentha. He was already kneeling at her feet—it would be so easy to pull her closer, lift her skirt and worship her as he would if their relationship was, in fact, real. His Sen Stripe was flaring with painful pleasure and his whole body was crying out to do exactly that.
But he couldn’t, he reminded himself. This wasn’t real—none of it was. Dr. Lucille was not his S’rentha and if he let her know his true desires to worship her, she would probably find him repulsive, like Ashley had.
That realization made him feel frustrated and surly.
She’s not for me and she never will be, he reminded himself. It doesn’t matter that my Sen Stripe thinks she is my S’rentha—she’s not.
“Thank you for your beautiful words,” Dr. Lucille said again, since he hadn’t answered her.
He dropped her hands and rose abruptly to his feet to tower over her.
“Don’t get too used to it,” he growled. “This mission shouldn’t take more than a day—a day and a night at most. And once we come back to the Mother Ship, we never have to see each other again.”
Her eyes, which had been soft with surprise and pleasure, went suddenly wide with hurt.
“I…I don’t…I never said—” she began, but T’zaren didn’t let her finish. He was angry with himself for letting his emotions get out of control—angry that his body wouldn’t stop reacting to hers.
“Come on,” he said, taking her luggage from Commander Rarev. “Let’s get this over with.”
Without waiting for her answer, he turned and stalked over to the ship. He would play his part—the part of a male slavishly devoted to his personal goddess—once they got to the stronghold on B’ron Three. But until then, he wanted nothing further to do with the tempting, irritating little female.
TEN
LUCY
Lucy stared at the big Monstrum’s broad back as he stalked angrily over to the sleek, gold ship they would be using.
“Well what crawled up his ass and died?” she muttered, frowning.
“Excuse me?” Commander Rarev asked politely.
“Uh, nothing.” Lucy shook her head. “It’s just…his oath was so beautiful and then he got so surly all of a sudden. I don’t understand his problem.”
“I do not believe that T’zaren understands his problem, either,” the Monstrum Commander said gently. “But I do believe he will protect you with his life. You can trust his oath, Dr. Heartwood—I wouldn’t be sending him with you if I didn’t think so.”
“All right.” Lucy sighed. “Well, I’d better get going.”
“You have your line of credit all ready to go?” Rarev raised one furry eyebrow.
“Right here.” Lucy tapped the small credit device—which looked a little like a Smart watch—strapped to her left wrist. It was activated by her right thumbprint and could transfer large sums of credit—the monetary unit of choice in most intergalactic societies—wherever she chose. Chief Commander Rarev had given her an almost unlimited amount to be certain that Twa’linda of the Two Faces wouldn’t hesitate to sell them the dimriel.
“Very good.” The Monstrum Commander nodded. “Thank you again for doing this for us, Dr. Heartwood. The Mother Ship will be forever grateful.”
“I won’t let you down,” Lucy promised him gravely. “I’ll bring back a dimriel crystal for you if it’s the last thing I do.”
“Remember, it doesn’t have to be large—even a small piece will be enough as long as it is unpolluted by the heart-rot,” Rarev said. “Once we transplant it, the crystal will grow rapidly to fill the Mother Ship’s heart space.”
“Got it.” Lucy nodded and smiled at him. “All right—wish me luck.”
“I will wish you more than luck—may the Goddess herself, the Mother of All life—go with you and bless your endeavors,” Rarev said gravely. He gave her a final nod and Lucy nodded back and turned away.
This is what’s important, she reminded herself as she walked to the open hatch of the golden ship. Getting the dimriel and saving the Monstrum Mother Ship. Forget about T’zaren and his bad attitude—none of that matters. I just have to get this done and be sure Iyanna and Dra’vik and the baby they have on the way don’t lose their home!
The mini pep-talk helped and she lifted her chin as she climbed aboard the ship. She was ready for the adventure of her life and she was absolutely determined that this mission was going to succeed!
But the power of positive thinking only got her so far. Once she stepped inside the golden ship and the door closed behind her, she realized she was trapped in a small space with a large, angry Monstrum. Should she stay away from him and give him some room?