Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
So bossy, I send back. You’re not the boss of me.
I am, and I will show you just how I “boss” you later. His eyes heat bright gold with promise.
I stare, entranced, because he really is the most gorgeous thing in the world and I’m utterly besotted with him.
Gwen gently puts a hand on my shoulder, steering me toward the door. “I know how you feel. It gets better over time, the obsession.”
Obsession is a good way to describe it. It’s not quite love—not yet—but Jurik consumes my every waking thought and moment. I’m having a hard time thinking about my pre-Jurik life because it seems so…pale and colorless and one-dimensional compared to what I have now.
Everything’s changed in a few days. “It gets better over time?” I echo, forcing myself to break eye contact, to head to the door. Jenny. Manda. Kristi. I have to check on them.
“Well, not exactly. But you just get more used to being dazzled by them.” Gwen offers me a crooked smile.
Dazzled. Now that’s a good word for it.
I take one last longing look at dazzling Jurik and then head out with Gwen. I’ll visit my friends, let them know I’m fine, drop off my gifts as an apology for not being able to stay, and return to Jurik as quickly as possible. Gwen waits for me to take the lead. Immediately, I head in the opposite direction of our quarters.
Gwen immediately links her arm with my good one, acting like we’re best friends. I’m startled at the contact, but she leans in. “Just making this look like we’re best buddies catching up if anyone reports back to Azar.”
“Do you not trust him, then?”
“Trust is such a strong word. I believe that he thinks he’s doing the best thing for this fort, and yet his methods make me squint hard.” Her smile grows stiff. “Like the whole volunteer program? And the panties? That’s a problem. He deliberately didn’t tell us about that shit because he knew Vaan and I would have a problem with it. And we do.”
“That program feeds a lot of people that wouldn’t have options otherwise,” I warn her. “You might not like it, but for some girls, it’s either that or spend all night on your back for a bowl of stew.”
“I know. All of this is problematic. Like the dragons.” She gestures at the barricade in the distance as we cross the sludgy yard, heading toward the main soldier barracks. “You and I both know that there are real people in there, trapped people, for all that they’re drakoni. But they’re also insane killers and Azar keeping those six captive means the two hundred or so people that live here are safe. It’s an ugly trade-off, but I don’t know if it’s the wrong one. Like I said, it’s all problematic. I wish there were clear-cut answers, but there aren’t any. Which brings me back to Azar.”
“Oh?”
“When Vaan and I first arrived to hear him out, he wanted us to fly to the Rift. Apparently he’s been trying to get someone to fly back through for a while and see if they can make it back to the other side. Mated drakoni are best, you see, because he’ll come back for a mate, whereas someone he has mind controlled he might lose if they get to the other side. And that’s a big ‘if.’ I’m not entirely convinced anyone can get to the Rift.” She shakes her head. “But it might be worth it to try anyhow.”
“How do you know we’re going to try and fly to the Rift?” I keep my voice light, as if that wasn’t what we were thinking entirely.
“Because Vaan and I had the same thought. And we keep thinking about it. What if we’re wrong and Azar’s tricking us? What if this is some sort of long con? There’s no way for us to know.”
“So why don’t you fly and see if you can get to it?”
“I want to. Vaan says no. He especially won’t try it now because…” She glances around. When she’s sure no one is listening in, she continues. “We’re expecting.”
Oh. “Congratulations?”
“I know and you know that the babies have special powers. I don’t want Azar knowing that I’m pregnant.” She bites her lip. “Or that I’ve started having dreams, too.”
That uneasy feeling grows in the pit of my stomach. “Dreams?”
“About the Rift. They started after I found out I was pregnant.” She grimaces. “Again, I don’t know if it’s because Azar planted something in my head…”
“But you suspect it’s real,” I finish.
“I’m terrified that it’s real.” She purses her lips. “Utterly terrified.” She squeezes my hand. “So I want you and Jurik to know the deal going in. What Azar’s been trying to get people to do. And I want you to know that Vaan and I will have your back if you tell him no.”