Total pages in book: 210
Estimated words: 200837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1004(@200wpm)___ 803(@250wpm)___ 669(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 200837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1004(@200wpm)___ 803(@250wpm)___ 669(@300wpm)
We are not formally judged for them, but opinions are formed on that day. If you have a tarnished record, then your prospects suffer. And what is the point of giving up ten years of your life if you’re not going to collect the reward at the end?
I take Finn’s hand and allow him to pull me out of his bed, sighing as I do this. The spark inside me flares up and I look him in the eyes as I touch the tip of my finger to his chest, dragging it down his pecs, then over his abs, leaving a trace of cyan-blue light behind. Then I coo, in my most sultry voice, “I have zero demerits, Finn Scott. Even if I did get marked, it would not affect my future.”
He pulls me close until we are face to face and we kiss. It’s a nice, kinda long kiss. And when we pull apart, I look him in the eyes as the words flow out of him like poetry. “You’re my future. And the god can’t take you away from me, Clara Birch. Not ever. Our love is destiny.”
We stare into each other’s eyes like the stupid teenagers we haven’t been in years, and then giggle like those long-ago versions of us as well. He spins me around and slaps my butt. “Get dressed. Let’s go join the party.”
I scoot forward, squealing, and start picking up my clothes. His private quarters are bigger than most since his family has been running the Extraction for many generations now, but it’s still in the Extraction District so it’s got the same cozy feel I remember from his childhood apartments when we were kids. Smooth, slate floors, and river-stone half walls that turn into a warm gray plaster near the domed ceilings make up the most charming parts of it.
Just past the foot of the bed there is a half-circle fireplace made out of the same river-stone rock that lines the walls. And the wooden side tables are dotted with lit candelabras—powered by spark, not flames. All the fabric on the pillows, blankets, and rugs are neutral shades of cream, and tan, and blue. This soothing and cozy charm is multiplied when the round windows dotting both the ceiling and the walls allow rays of hazy sunshine to filter through from outside.
Everything about Finn’s quarters says… comfort.
Simple comforts though. Nothing like the luxurious rooms we have over in the Maiden District. But it’s nice and I can easily picture myself living here with him.
These quarters are new because his father has finally allowed him to start his apprenticeship as the next Extraction Master and this is my first visit, but now that I’ve seen it, I will be picturing myself sleeping in this bed next to him and living in this space with him every moment until I am free.
I know it’s only three more months, but when my gown is back on, my hair back in place, and I’m sliding my feet into my hand-embroidered silk slippers, my heart begins to ache and a sadness floods through me.
I look over my shoulder at Finn, who has been put back together as well—looking so debonair in his gorgeous cream-colored linen tunic and slate-blue vest, I actually sigh. His family always did have the best tailors—the Extraction Master is pretty much the highest status one can have in Tau City. And one day, Finn will take his father’s place and I will stand by his side. We will rule the highest levels of society—in a benevolent way, of course.
Finn comes towards me, hands automatically going to my waist and pulling me close. “What’s got you sighing?”
I stare up at him, marveling at how handsome a man he’s grown into over the last decade. Same shoulder-length, but messy blond hair. Same deep and penetrating blue eyes. But his shoulders are broad and muscular now. His jaw set with that hard, squared-off chin and covered in just the right amount of golden stubble.
He was still a boy of eighteen when I was Chosen and now he’s a man. Did I miss something and not realize it? It didn’t feel that way as time was passing. Finn and I were never really apart, we just led separate lives. But we’re not kids anymore and it just right now occurs to me that we gave up something irreplaceable so I could be a Spark Maiden.
Our youth.
We’re only twenty-eight, it’s not like we’re old. But still, it feels like a loss.
“I want this to be over now, Finn. I don’t wanna go back to the Maiden Tower. I wanna stay here with you and never leave.”
He smiles as he kisses me. “Three months. We’re practically there, Clara. Nothing will get in the way.”
“I know. But I want it now.”