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)
This makes Zhur laugh. He pulls me against him in an impulsive hug, squeezing me close and burying my face against his chest. It's very unlike him...and I love it. "Did I not tell you that it rains constantly here, my schemer?"
"Probably," I say, even as more rain patters down on us. "Does this mean we have to go inside now?"
Zhur's expression grows stoic even as he tucks me under his arm. "You're coming with me, and we're going to ignore everyone at the party. All right? No matter what they say, ignore them. And if anyone gets too close, scream and I will have them murdered."
Did he just say 'murdered'...? "I-I can't tell if you're joking or not."
But then Zhur is grabbing me by the hand and hauling the doors open, and we step inside, damp from the rain, and stare down the absolutely packed ballroom full of alien nobles, all of them regarding us with something akin to horror.
CHAPTER
ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE
MAEVE
I've never seen such a sea of disapproving faces. Everywhere, there are praxiians giving us looks of mute dismay, and mesakkah with their noses turned up. Next to her tall husband, Milly quietly gives me a thumbs-up.
If Zhur notices the looks they're giving us, he doesn't care. He tucks me under his arm protectively and snarls at everyone. "Back away! You're scaring my bride!"
Oh right. I'm supposed to be the one that hates being social. It shouldn't be too hard to feign, given that these people are all intimidating as hell and unfriendly. I burrow closer to Zhur and do my best to look helpless and sweet as the crowd parts around us and more soldiers file in to the party. They form a blockade between us and the guests, and we're quickly ushered out of the festivities and down a long, winding hall with an impossibly high ceiling.
As we hurry away into the bowels of the palace, another praxiian appears and approaches us. He's got stripey gray fur, somber clothes, and what looks like a massive stick up his ass judging from the sour expression. I know who this is, and I have to fight back the urge to claw his eyes out.
Zhur strategically tucks me behind him as if he can sense my rage. "Brother."
"I thought my instructions were clear," Rem says as we come to a halt in front of him, the soldiers all around us like a phalanx. His hands are clasped behind his back, and he looks incredibly displeased to see Zhur. "You are not to show yourself until the abdication ceremony."
"My wife showed up," Zhur says. "I wasn't going to leave her in their clutches."
"Your wife?"
Zhur gently pulls me forward just enough so Rem can look at me. Then Zhur steps in front of me again.
Rem's tone is full of vinegar. "You said nothing of this, brother."
"Imagine that. Me not telling you everything," Zhur says, voice dry. "It's almost like I don't trust you."
I pop my head around Zhur's side, even though he's trying to shove me out of sight. "You want me here," I say helpfully. "I'm the perfect ambassador for this wedding."
"Maeve," Zhur grits out, voice low. "Please be silent."
"I'm just saying, a happy human bride is the perfect example to mingle at this party, given that the royal bride is probably not playing ball with you."
"Maeve," Zhur says again, warning in his voice.
"What do you know of my bride?" Rem steps around Zhur to glare at me.
"I know she doesn't want to marry you," I retort.
Did I think the other aliens were looking at me with distaste? It's nothing compared to the look Remrrrtel is shooting my way right now. "How? How do you know this?"
"I have my ways," is all I say, because I don't want to get this other woman in danger. "There's been a change of plans in regards to Zhur's exile. I'm going to go with him."
One dark gray brow arches, and Rem looks over at Zhur, as if seeking confirmation.
"I've learned it's best to just agree with her," Zhur says, a smile on his face. "She'll show up where I'm at regardless if you tell her yes or no. And the story she's crafted for us neatly slots in to our plans."
Rem eyes Zhur and then me. Then Zhur again. "You truly are married?"
Zhur nods. "It's a long story."
"One I need to hear, obviously." The words are sarcastic, yet there's no humor in Rem. He hasn't cracked a smile, and I worry that I've gotten Zhur into bigger trouble.
Then again, how can it possibly be bigger? I decide to push a little more. "A story we'd be happy to tell in exchange for letting me talk to Leah."
Rem's nostrils flare. "Is that a demand?"
"There's no harm in letting them talk," Zhur says, even as he ever-so-discreetly pushes me behind him again. "Let them vent their human complaints to each other. It's not as if they can leave."