Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 91775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
He blinks at me, a worried look on his face. “I thought I had all your words but I was wrong. What is vy-ta-men? De-fish? Cat bag?”
I laugh with delight. “Unimportant things. I’m just spitballing. You don’t know that word either. Okay, I’m just tossing ideas in the air because I’m excited over what we can accomplish together.”
Rem’eb’s gaze searches mine. “You would truly come with me? Leave behind everything and live in the caves with me?”
He sounds so uncertain that it makes my anxiety kick in. I fight the urge to pull my hands from his grip. “I mean…only if you wanted me.”
“I want you. I want you more than anything, my Tia. But…what about your people? What about your home here? The loom you wished to bring them?”
“The beach isn’t my home any more than the other village—Croatoan—was. Everyone was nice and kind, but I didn’t feel like it was my place, my home. I don’t know that I’ve ever had a home.” It sounds so pathetic that I feel obligated to continue. “Even when I was a child, my parents would send me to live with others so I could get the best education, the most well-rounded learning so I could get into the most prestigious colleges. All I wanted was to feel like I belonged. Like I was wanted. Important. The only person that’s ever made me feel like I’m valued is you. The only time I truly feel settled is with you. The only person that makes me feel heard and loved and valued…is you. Maybe you’re my home.”
Rem’eb groans, leaning in to lightly kiss me. His gaze moves over mine. “You are certain you wish to do this?”
“As long as you promise you’re going to tear that wall down. I didn’t come across the universe for my mate just to live apart from him.”
A grin flashes over his mouth before he kisses me again. “There will be resistance.”
“No one likes change, but I don’t give a fuck,” I whisper against his lips. “And are you the Chief’s Fist or not?”
“Oh, I am,” he practically purrs, the sound thrumming along with his contented khui. “My beautiful stranger. You are so much more than I dreamed of.”
“Just say that you want me,” I tell him, feeling vulnerable and suddenly afraid. Am I truly lucky enough to get all that I want for a change? “Say that you want me and I’ll go to the ends of the world with you.”
“Nothing would make me happier than for you to be by my side for the rest of my days.” He kisses along my jaw, tilting my face before sliding to my neck. “I am the luckiest of males to have you as my mate. And if you cannot bear to be amongst my people, then we will return to yours. Or we will make our own village. I care not. Just stay with me.”
With a happy sigh, I throw my arms around his neck and pull him in for another hungry kiss.
His hands roam over me as our mouths meld, and this time when tears slide down my face, they’re tears of joy. I kiss him wildly as he works my pants down my hips, just enough that I can lift my body to kick them off and aside. With trembling fingers, I pull him free from his leggings and then his slender, perfect shaft is in my hand, the edge of his frill somehow hotter than the rest of his skin.
We both groan with pleasure when I seat myself upon him, and he cradles my face, gazing down at me with such love and devotion as I rock my hips over his length. When he’s deep inside me—so deep it feels as if he’s touching my womb—his frill spreads inside me, the sensation making hot pleasure ripple deep. I can feel it flutter and push against my walls, and when he pulses, it makes me clench around him until I climax. I come, clutching hard to him as he fills me with his seed.
“Mine,” he whispers, leaning down to kiss me. “All mine.”
For the first time, I believe it.
Chapter
Thirty-Four
TIA
We part from Harlow and her family at the base of the ship, and then I rope together with the ancestors and the clones, and we make our way back towards Icehome Beach. No one stays behind—I guess Chalath decides to roll the dice and follow me, and we end up getting back sooner than anticipated without the sled and the small children slowing us down.
Once we’re back on Icehome Beach, Rem’eb and I invite Noj’me, Set’nef, and Tal’nef to our hut to share dinner…and to discuss what comes next. We found a thick cluster of mussels in a tide pool, and I’ve salted them up and boiled them for the meal. I’ll miss fresh shellfish down below, but I’m eager for our new beginning.