Total pages in book: 182
Estimated words: 171288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
But then, gradually, she noticed some differences. The colors around her began to bleed and run, like chalk drawings in the rain and her body felt much, much lighter than it had. All except for her breasts, which felt extremely heavy and full.
What’s wrong with me? Penny wondered. What’s happening?
But to be honest, she felt too good for these musings to make her upset. In addition to making everything around her look weird, the Silka spice had also had an effect on her mood.
“I feel wonderful,” she told V’rex as he nodded at Chieftain and Lady Bright Coat, who had apparently decided the spice was safe and were popping the pieces he had given them into their mouths. “I love everyone. Especially you,” she told him.
As she said the words, she knew they were true. She had been holding herself back all this time, telling herself that V’rex couldn’t possibly be interested in her because she wasn’t skinny or because he’d been affected by the Spice in the air at the Compound. But now she saw that none of that was true. He’d been interested in her from the first—when he saw her in the Lucky Lounge—and there was no Spice there. So the only place her size was a problem was in her own head.
The realization felt like a true moment of clarity—an epiphany made possible because the Silka was allowing her to see past her worries and concerns to discern the truth.
“You know,” she said to V’rex. “I need to get over myself and own my curves.”
“Your curves are gorgeous, baby,” he agreed softly.
“And I meant what I said,” Penny went on, recklessly. “I really do love you! I wish you hadn’t Forsworn me because I want to be with you!”
The big Hybrid’s eyes widened and then he murmured, “I love you too, sweetheart. Love you will all my heart.”
“I wish we could be together,” Penny whispered and a tear rolled down her cheek, despite the happy feelings. “I wish I knew how we could stay together forever,” she told V’rex.
At that moment, a chorus started humming near her head.
“Huh?” Penny turned around, trying to see where the chorus was, but she couldn’t see anyone there. But just because no one was there, didn’t make the music stop. In fact the humming grew louder and then turned into words.
“When the nectar returns
The poison is clear.
Pleasure replaces
The pain that you fear,” sang the voices of the invisible chorus.
Penny looked around uncertainly.
“Did you hear that?” she asked V’rex.
He frowned.
“Hear what, sweetheart?”
“The voices,” Penny said impatiently. “They’re right beside us, singing. Oh, wait—here they go again!”
“When the nectar returns
Then ‘tis time to bond
With the male of your dreams
Of whom you are fond,” the invisible chorus sang.
“But I’m much more than fond of him—I love him,” Penny protested. Still, she guessed it wasn’t easy to find another rhyme for bond. Maybe something about how your love would fit like a glove? But no, that didn’t really work…
“Sweetheart, what are you talking about?” V’rex asked, looking at her intently.
“I’m talking to the chorus,” Penny said impatiently. “The people who are singing to me. I’m surprised you can’t hear them—they’re really loud.”
At that point, the chorus sang in her ear again.
“When the nectar returns
You may accept the sting
Have no fear
Only pleasure it brings.”
“Accept the sting?” Penny asked, feeling a little rush of fear run through her.
“What?” V’rex looked at her even more intently. “What are you talking about? My sting?”
“I…no. I…I’m not sure.” The memory of the awful fiery pain the last time the big Hybrid had stung her was still sharp in her mind. But the voices of the chorus seemed to be telling her…
“Excuse me!” Lady Bright Coat stood up from the table suddenly. If she had been human, Penny thought, she would have looked pale. “I…I must visit the necessary chamber,” the female Fox’en said in a trembling voice.
“Follow her!” sang the chorus in Penny’s ear.
“Go after her now.
“Give her the proof.
Follow her quickly,
And tell her the truth.”
“Um,” I need to use the, uh, necessary chamber too,” she said, rising a bit unsteadily to her feet. Everything still looked a little strange, like when she moved her hand in the air, it left a trail of rainbows swirls behind.
“Whoa—are you sure you’re okay, sweetheart?” V’rex asked her.
“Yes, fine,” Penny said distractedly. “Excuse me.”
And she followed the female Fox’en out of the dining room.
Chapter 103
“Oh dear…oh dear!” Lady Bright Coat was bent over a carved marble basin that looked like a sink. Only instead of a faucet, there was a little fountain in the very middle of the basin that pumped cold, clear water upwards continuously. The fountain rose three or four inches in the air and fall back down to be swallowed by the drain just below it.
The female Fox’en wet her long furry fingers in the water and pressed them to her face. She looked truly shaken to Penny, as though she would be crying if she was human.