Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 144433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
CHAPTER
ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN
ZHUR
It is very, very unlike my sociable, friendly Maeve to not want to make friends when she goes somewhere. The fact that she's stating that she doesn't want anything to do with the people here at the party makes alarm bells ring inside my head. "Has anyone been mean to you?" I all but snarl. "Point them out and I shall have them tossed out of the wedding. Better yet, I will have them tossed off the planet."
Maeve taps a finger on the tip of my nose. "Aren't you cute. I love it when you get growly like that. As for people being mean to me, the cruelest one was Milly. She made me eat several lizard appetizers, and they were all hideous. But she's really pregnant and I don't blame her for passing on them."
I want to rub a hand over my face. Why is Maeve in such high spirits right now? This is a disaster. She can't be here, as much as I am delighted to see her again. I'm tempted to crush her against my chest in a hug, but even now, I know people are watching us. It takes every bit of my self-control to stop grabbing her and shaking her. I cup her face instead, not just because I want to touch her, but because I want to block the sight of her lips so no one can tell what we are saying. "Be honest. Was someone truly cruel to you? I will speak with Rem and handle things."
She leans into my touch, smiling up at me. "No one's been really mean. Calm down. I know humans aren't loved here. It's not like it's going to hurt my feelings if an alien is standoffish to me. I've got thicker skin than that."
No, she has the softest, most pettable skin. I stroke her cheek with my thumb, unable to resist. "Maeve. Why? Why are you here after we've been so careful to keep you free of entanglements? You've endangered yourself, and I know you didn't want trouble. I've said nothing to anyone about your name or where you live. I swear, I've kept you a secret. I don't want you to be pulled into my brother's schemes."
Maeve shakes her head, her hand smoothing down the front of my tunic. "I mean, I thought it was pretty obvious why I'm here. You're going into exile alone, Zhur. I'll be damned if I'll let that happen."
New terror seizes my chest. Is she working on some crazed plan to overthrow my brother? "Maeve, no. You can't change what's going to happen—"
"I can't change it, no," she interrupts. "But I can go with you."
I'm stunned by her response. She's crossed the galaxy, left her farm and put herself in danger...all so she can accompany me into exile? It's the most selfless, most asinine thing I've ever heard. "I don't understand. Why would you?"
Her gaze locks on my chest, and she fusses with the seam down the front, pretending to pick a bit of lint off the fabric. "You're going to be trapped in one place, unable to leave on your own. You're going to be living in a bubble, basically. You'll be under constant scrutiny and without the freedom to do as you please. The day to day will be your own, of course, but in the larger sense, you'll be trapped. I know how that is. I lived in my stupid aquarium for two years. Maybe longer. And I was left alone, right? I could nap all day if I wanted, or fart around with the plants growing inside my environment. No one bothered me. But...I was still trapped. I guess I see your situation like how I saw mine."
Her voice grows soft, husky with emotion.
"And I know how lonely it can be. I can't help but think how much better it would have been if I'd had a friend to spend my time with. How I wouldn't have felt so frantic and alone. I'd have had someone, you know?" Maeve looks up at me, and her eyes are full of emotion. "I won't let that happen to you. Not if I can do something about it. So I'm going to go with you into your exile, because I wish I’d had a friend for mine."
I flinch at the word “friend.” Is that still all I am to her? I'm humbled by her generous offer, but I worry she hasn't thought it through. "What about your farm? What about your friends back on Risda?"
"Simone knows. She's not thrilled but I promised to write. The farm is fine. Salvotor's in charge. He's loving farming, strangely enough. I can't stop him from hugging the animals all day long." Her pretty pink mouth curves into a smile. "I'll work something out with him long-term if I have to, or I can let the land revert back to Lord va'Rin. It's no big deal."