Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
It’s in her nature.
The very same nature I have studied to the point I just may be able to get through to her like I need.
“Daichin Pennington,” I state firmly at the same time I stop on the other side of the glass directly from her, “warrior of the champion line.”
Her body straightens but doesn’t turn around.
“I am Ptur Draak, oldest of the ancient dragons, head of our clan.”
The announcement causes her to meet my stare over her leather-covered shoulder.
Keeping my eyes attached to hers, I slowly lower myself to my knees, push the sunflowers out of my way, and rest my ass back on my heels in an openly submissive fashion.
Dai’s brows immediately twitch in surprise, yet the rest of her body stays completely still.
“I kneel before you in greeting as this is custom in your race when properly introducing yourself to your half’s mother.” My head respectfully lowers, stare falling to the floor. “I wait to have my gaze welcomed as family rather than foe.”
Free.
You better be right about this shit, Platinum.
Am.
My open palm touches the glass, forcing it to scan my hand, and light up in question. After the confirmational push to indicate the cell door is to be unlocked is given, I let my hand linger there, Gene’s words echoing in the front of my mind like a parents would.
Continue.
Platinum’s reminder that I had more to say is the gentle nudge needed to state my purpose. “I am here to discuss the taking of the creature that is mine.”
All of a sudden, her massive knees hit the ground directly in front of me, denting the floor.
I expect my ancient side to stiffen from the impact in preparation for a shift or the very least stir, but nothing happens.
Not even a flinch.
Dai’s large, calloused hands gingerly land on my wrist and lowers my appendage down to my leg to rest like the other one is. “You love her.”
There’s no hesitation to look up and airily croak, “I do.”
“I watched you court her.” Her fingers fold together in her own lap. “I watched you care for her. I watched you, fall not out of The Goddess of Fate’s command or obligation but out of your own free will.”
Smiling is a fleeting consideration.
“You, Ptur Draak, are smoother than her father was, although, he was funnier.” Unexpected fondness graces her green gaze. “He’d say words like fractions and then ramble on about pie. How he thought baked desserts had anything to do with breaking backs never failed to make me laugh so hard that cheap swill would come out of my nose.”
Wrong.
Yes, but I’m not going to explain that to her.
“Otis is not a protector.” To my surprise, her declaration isn’t riddled with any level of resentment. “And unlike many other creatures, I do not fault him for that. I do not find fault with that. He is a giver. He is a lover. In fact, he is quite incredible at both.”
More.
Nope. Don’t need to hear more about my fate-in-laws sex life.
Tips?
No!
Prude.
“My duty is to protect him.” Her face harshly tightens. “Them. My residence at Magitek accomplished that.”
“They’re the ones who took her.”
“In my absence as they proclaimed they would.”
I can’t even part my lips fast enough to speak.
“I understand my place, dragonborn.” Dai’s hand gives mine a loving pat. “I am a pawn that needs to be sacrificed. And so, you will.” Another kind tap is presented. “Your duty is to protect your mate just as mine is.”
“My duty is to her, Dai.” Softness shifts into my stare. “All of her, which includes her happiness. Sacrificing the mother that she has been without for twenty-five years would not do this. It would pain her, therefore paining me. I will not let that happen to either; however, I need your help. You know the company. You know the building. You know their security.”
A single nod of comprehension is delivered.
“Help me understand better what I’m up against. Start by explaining to me why they recruited you.”
“They didn’t recruit me, dragonborn.” Her eye roll is so heavy it damn near knocks me backwards. “They captured me.”
“Kidnapped?”
“I am not a child.”
Point.
Yeah, but adultnapped isn’t exactly a real word.
Fair.
Dai retracts her glare prior to proceeding with the recounting of the situation she was stolen from. “I was chopping wood for our fireplace deep in the forest out back. I liked to have it going when I could. I wanted to provide our offspring with orc traditions as much as the Awaker ones her father possessed. I really wanted Cameron to embrace both parts of her. I would chop the wood, light the fire, sit us in front of it, and tell her family warrior tales while allowing the fire to burn the fluffy white pillows I found too delicious to sleep on.”
Marshmallows.
Not correcting her again.