Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 55108 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55108 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Tarek’s lips twitch.
I throw the ball. It flies through the air—for about the length of my leg. Then it drops and rolls. “Ooph.”
I bend over, panting, hands on my knees. My leg is starting to ache, and I rub it, hoping he won’t notice.
He comments immediately. “You in pain? Sit down.”
“No, it’s nothing.” At his lifted brow, I amend it. “Nothing unusual. It always aches when I do physical activity. But it hurts regardless, and this at least makes me stronger, so… I try to ignore it.” I rub the twisted muscles and sit down.
He comes and sits near me, not touching, but close enough so that I want him nearer.
“What happened?” He brushes a hand across my knee and I try not to gasp at the touch.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” I swallow hard.
“I’m just trying to get to know you—”
Panic surges through me, even though this is what I wanted. I can’t talk about my leg right now. “Do you want to talk about this?” I snap, touching his forehead, near his left eye.
He flinches. “No.” His voice is cold. He turns away. “I apologize.”
“No. It’s my—I apologize. I’m so sorry.” I reach out again, hating to see his expression change. “Tarek, this is hard for me.”
He takes a breath. “I understand.”
We’re silent for a second. It’s quiet in the dome, and the only sound is some kind of metallic screech in the distance, maybe a saw. The light is soft and even, coming through the skylights above.
I don’t believe he can’t see. His eyes are so kind, so intuitive. Or am I imagining what I want to see there?
“It’s killing me that right now they won’t even let me see Enya. I want to see her, Tarek. I’ve been with her for so long. Don’t they know that I need to be part of this with her?” I’m helpless to describe it. “Why won’t they let me?”
Tarek rubs his forehead. “I know, beautiful. But they’re doing what they believe is best.”
“Well, it makes me feel like garbage.” Tears burst out. “Like I’m worth nothing. I was used to that back on Ocretia, but on Zandia, I thought—I hoped…” I sniffle. “That it would be different. That I’d be valuable. But now it’s like I just got tossed aside.”
“That’s not what it is at all.” He takes my hand, his voice earnest. “Zandians are not as aware of human emotions. They’re doing their best, too. And think of her mother. She’s been many solar cycles without her child. Surely you can give her this chance.”
I can’t answer. It’s just too much right now.
“And you.” I turn to him accusingly. “You never told me about her, on the ship. You were part of it, too. Just taking me because I was a tool, a means to an end. I want to be more than that!”
Now I’m sobbing outright.
“I’m sorry, Zina. I was under orders not to communicate her status to you.” His voice sounds pained. “I could not betray my commander. I wanted to tell you. I—worried. I still do.”
“You do?” Surprised, I glance up at him.
“Yes.” He clenches his hand on mine, then loosens it. “I didn’t want to surprise you with it. But”—he shrugs one shoulder—“it was out of my hands.” He pulls me closer. “Just give it time. Of course you’ll see her again. This is temporary, as she adjusts.”
I nod. Sniff. “Yes. I just miss her. I promised her we’d somehow always be together. I just want to see her in person, to really know she’s okay.”
“I understand, little one. I’ll make some inquiries. See what’s possible.”
“You will?” My voice is tremulous. But there’s something here I just know it. Beyond the words, there’s something between us, something that’s growing stronger second by second.
He reaches for me, sliding his fingers into my short hair.
I go still, eyes trained on him, body trembling in anticipation.
“Did they cut your hair? Your slave masters?”
“No, I did it,” I admit. “So we wouldn’t look so feminine. To deflect male attention.”
Anguish flickers over Tarek’s face. Then his jaw tightens. “And did you?” His voice is tight.
I swallow. “Not always. But I kept Enya safe. That’s all that matters.”
Tarek’s great hands close into fists. His nostrils flare. “No female should be taken against her will.”
“No,” I agree, my voice soft.
He suddenly stiffens. “You didn’t feel—did I—Stars, Zina—”
“No,” I interrupt. “I liked the way you touch me.”
Tarek’s eyes change to bright purple, his horns—stars, his horns appear to pulse. And then, as if the leash he’d kept himself on snaps, he lunges for me, catches the back of my head with his hand and claims my mouth.
Instantly my body is pulsing to the rhythm of his. My lips part to allow his tongue to sweep between them. He pushes me onto my back, covering my body with his.