Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 130081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Try not to think about it, she told herself uneasily. You don’t have to worry about it this minute anyway—just let it go for now.
Trying to take her own advice, she nodded goodbye to Commander Sylvan and let Davrik lead her through the vast Mother Ship to the suite that he had shared with the other Sonya.
“I would say I hope you like the way it’s decorated, but I don’t think it will be a problem,” he remarked, when they reached their destination and the metal door slid open with a faint hiss.
Sonya stepped inside and took in a breath. Just like the long-range shuttle that Davrik flew, the luxurious suite was decorated exactly to her liking. Clearly she and her doppelganger had the same taste.
“It’s beautiful,” she admitted, looking around the living area which had gorgeous prints on the walls. A quilt that the other Sonya’s grandma must have made had been framed and had pride of place over the mantelpiece of the small fireplace.
“I’m glad you like it. Are you hungry or thirsty?” Davrik asked, striding from the living area to the kitchen—or food-prep area as the Kindred called it. “I find that folding space makes me extremely thirsty sometimes.”
Sonya was feeling a bit parched. She followed him into the kitchen and watched as he opened a strange kind of Kindred fridge. There didn’t seem to be many shelves inside—instead, everything was in some kind of square or round container and all of them were hanging from hooks.
“Hmm, let’s see…” Davrik was rummaging around inside and he pulled several bottles off their hooks and set them on the counter. He opened a few of them and sniffed but it wasn’t until the last one—a clear bottle that seemed to be filled with a peach-colored liquid—that Sonya’s own nose perked up.
“Oh—what’s that one?” she exclaimed, pointing at it. “It smells like passion fruit and strawberries!”
“Oh, this?” Davrik frowned and recapped the bottle hastily. “This is nothing. It’s left over from…from before I lost my Sonya.”
The way he said “my Sonya” made Sonya’s heart ache. She wished the big Kindred would refer to her that way. But so far, he still hadn’t made a move to touch her.
“Oh…okay,” she said in a small voice. She could tell he still missed her doppelganger, who had been his wife, after all. Maybe there was no way she could ever fill her place.
“Sorry about that.” Davrik cleared his throat. “How about some fer’liztzian thirst-quencher? It’s very hydrating and has a pleasant taste my Sonya always loved.”
“Sure—that sounds good.” Sonya nodded and watched as he poured her a cup of bright blue liquid. It did taste good—it had a faint hint of cinnamon and exotic alien spices—but she couldn’t forget the tantalizing aroma of the peach colored juice.
After they drank, Davrik announced that he was going to get ready for bed. He courteously offered Sonya the use of the bathroom or “fresher” as the Kindred called it first, and she took him up on the offer.
After a refreshing shower—she wanted a dip in the bathing pool but decided she would save it for another day—she came out and Davrik went in.
While the big Kindred was in the bathroom, it seemed like the perfect time to explore. Sonya wandered through the suite, which was roomy and spacious despite only having a few rooms and looked at everything her doppelganger had left behind.
She saw numerous pictures of the other Sonya and Davrik together—some from holo projectors and others that were more traditional photographs in frames. The two of them looked so happy together. It made Sonya wonder if she could ever live up to the level of devotion and tenderness she saw shining from their eyes when they looked at each other.
What can I do to make him feel that way about me? she wondered, looking at their engagement photo with Davrik on one knee, offering the other Sonya a gorgeous diamond ring.
The thought made her sad and she decided to do something to cheer herself up. All along the thought of the peach juice in the fridge had been in the back of her mind. Now she thought she would take just a sip of it and see what it was like.
Going back to the kitchen, she opened the fridge and took out the clear bottle. She uncapped the lid and took a deep sniff of the contents. It smelled even better than before! She didn’t know where the cups were kept and she knew she ought to look for one, but the fragrance of the peach-colored juice was so tempting, she found herself tilting the bottle to her lips and drinking straight from it.
A sweet, fruity taste like passion fruit, peaches, and ripe strawberries filled her mouth and a tingle went through her entire body. Strangely, there was also a hint of something savory that somehow made the juice even more delicious. What was it? Sonya took another sip to see. Hmm…could that be buttered popcorn?