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)
The “human dance” consists of us putting our hands against each other and staring face to face as we travel in vague, waltz-like circles. I'm not sure it's any sort of real “human” dance but Leah is managing with Rem, who moves even more stiffly than Zhur does. There are a few giggles at the “silly” humans but it's still a good PR move in my mind.
Zhur pulls me close and his tail gives a deliberate little curl at the end, showing the world that he's pleased with me. I wait a moment, and when Zhur doesn't pull me into a dip to finish the song, I decide that's probably for the best. With my luck, I'd eat some floor on the way down and set human relations back by a few years. "Can we kiss?"
He grabs my hand and nuzzles my knuckles. "This is all that's permitted."
Man, Rem really is a party pooper. Does he think I'm going to come in front of the audience if Zhur gives me a real kiss? Sheesh. But I put my hand to my mouth in a demure tee-hee sort of way, playing my role, and then give everyone shy smiles as we exit the dance floor.
The moment we do, we're surrounded by guards. My heart skips a beat in terror.
But they only move to flank us, and I see the splotched black and white face of Mrrrkuss with the guards. He nods at me and I look up at Zhur as we head down one of the long, winding halls of the palace. "Is...that all? Are we done?"
He nods, pulling me closer. His big arm around my shoulders feels familiar and comforting all at once, and my anxiety fades. "All done. No more socializing for us. Now we fade away so Rem and his new bride can have the stage."
There's a ton I want to say. I have so many questions. Like what comes next? What about tomorrow? What about a week from now? How do we get an income? Are we stuck here on Praxii Minor or are we being shuttled off somewhere else? But I don't want to ask it in front of the guards. We head down the hall with our phalanx of protectors, and I smile and wave at the people I've met, however briefly, over the last few days. Only a few acknowledge my greeting, but that's fine, too. I'm just softening them up for Leah.
The guards escort us back to our quarters, and then there's a flurry of bodies moving back and forth. The maids leave, along with most of the guards, and then several are posted outside, while Mrrrkuss waits by the interior doors. I'm alone with Zhur again, and for a moment, the silence feels deafening.
"So," I say.
Zhur thumps down on the edge of the bed as if he's lost all of his strength. He slumps there for a moment, and then flops onto his back. "I am exhausted. My brother is welcome to all of this."
Chuckling, I hike up my skirts and join him in the bed, tucking myself against his side. His arm goes around me and he starts to purr, and my heart melts. "Any regrets?"
"None. Less than none."
"Good." I snuggle up against him. "I didn't want you to feel like you'd made the wrong choice."
"It was the only choice open to me, truly." His hand skims up and down my back. "No, I suppose that's not true. I could have remained on the run for years. I could have raised an army to insist upon the return of my throne. Instead, I married a human and left my work for my brother." He huffs with amusement. "I think I will go down in the history vids as a waste."
"Or they'll see you as someone who knew what he wanted and decided to live life on his own terms," I tell him. "There's nothing wrong with that."
His gaze focuses on me and he pulls my hair free from the bun at my nape. "I am afraid we're going to have far too much security watching us while the festivities continue, my schemer. But once they are done, we can prepare for our exile."
"Do we know where we're going?"
Zhur hesitates. "I...did ask my brother for the hunting cabin. It's tucked in some lovely woods on a forested moon. Rem said we are welcome to it, as he hates the woods. He doesn't like environments he cannot control, my brother."
"I bet he's fun at parties," I mutter. "Okay, so we're getting a cabin in the woods. Is this the “tiny” cabin with sixteen rooms?"
He grins. "One and the same. I hope you will manage with such a rough exile. We'll probably only have a handful of servants to see to our needs. No more than six. And double that in security until things die down."