Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 85553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
She’ll get over it soon enough. I think about how hard I tried to get away from Skarr at the beginning, not realizing that underneath all that bluster was a very tender heart and a man who turned out to be exactly what I needed. She probably won’t want to hear from me, but maybe I’ll find her in the morning anyhow and offer moral support.
Skarr returns after a few minutes, thumping down onto the ground at my feet again. He holds the plate up to me and I pick up a rib of something, giving it a nibble. “What was that all about? You and Valmir?”
He shrugs and eyes my rib. I hold it out to him and he takes a bite, then licks his lips meaningfully. “Doesn’t taste as good as you.”
My face gets hot. “Don’t change the subject.”
He just smiles wider, sending me a heated glance as he relaxes at my side. Mari steps over his sprawled legs, carrying her child to bed, and Liz and Harlow bring out bowls of dried fruit and offer tidbits to everyone. Skarr continues to eat the rib in the most blatant way possible, his tongue sliding along the bone and making me blush.
When the others finally get past, I lean in close again. “So what was it with Valmir?”
“He resonated to April and she is not impressed. He wants to win her with a show of strength. He wishes to fight me but insisted I throw the battle, and I said no.” He licks his lips. “I asked him‘how would that look to my mate? He said you were already under my mind control and it didn’t matter.”
Oh lord, not the whole “mind control” thing again. “There’s no mind control—”
“If you say so, my mate.”
“—and tell Valmir he can’t go around punching people to try and impress women. It doesn’t work that way.” I pluck a mushy root from the plate and taste it. It’s covered with spices and falls apart in my mouth, forcing me to lick my fingers.
As I do, Skarr’s gaze focuses on my mouth. “I punched Chalath and I got you.”
“That was coincidence.”
“Mmm, I do not agree.” He offers me another root. “I told him I would fight him, but it would have to be a fair fight and if he lost, it would not help his cause any. He said he was trying to come up with a new plan and would keep me alerted.”
I can only imagine. Valmir is far too sly for his own good, watching everyone with a cold, assessing gaze. He’s a bit too much of an opportunist. At least Skarr is honest, if rather loud.
“Perhaps he should fight one of the newcomers,” Skarr muses as we eat. He flexes his arms. “You know, the ones with all the limbs.”
I smack him lightly on the shoulder. “No, and hush. They’re friendly. Not everyone wants to fight.”
“They look like they wish to fight to me.” Skarr wiggles his brows in my direction. “Did you see how strong they were? Perhaps I will ask them to spar instead of Valmir.”
“Just make sure they understand it’s sparring before you do?” I give him a pleading look. “I’m just now starting to like you. Maybe you don’t give anyone a reason to decide they want ssethri-skin boots?”
“As if they could best me.” He gives me a challenging smile.
“You are quite impressive,” I tease back. “I hear you’re the best gladiator on the planet.”
His gaze heats. He loves it when I flatter him. “You know I am.”
“Get a room, you two,” Liz says as she strolls past again, holding the dried fruit basket. “Your flirting stopped being adorable five minutes ago. You’ve moved on to the cloying stage. Fruit?”
I snag a piece from her and decide to give a little sass back. Liz intimidates the heck out of me, but I don’t want her to know that. “You’re just jealous.”
“Hell yes I am. The first bloom of resonance? Without three kids hanging on your legs?” She tilts her head to the sky, sighing dreamily. “All resonance is great, but there’s something special about your first one. I hope you two are enjoying it.” She glances around the crowded fire, looking for her mate. I look for him, too, and have to stifle a giggle when I see him. Fierce Raahosh has a stoic expression on his face. He is holding a bowl for his youngest daughter to pick at, with her on his knee. On one side is his daughter Aayla, playing with her doll and talking to her father, and on his other side, Raashel is painting swirls on his face with a determined expression.
“He looks miserable,” I comment with a giggle.
“Are you kidding? He’s loving this shit and he’s never looked sexier.” Liz sighs at the sight of her mate. “There’s nothing better than a girl dad, trust me.” She takes her basket and saunters over toward her mate, who wears a hint of a smile when he sees her.