Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 78164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
I had not heard his approach, far too distracted with the women’s pleas.
And I was far too young.
Addressing the ancient hybrid female, Cyderial gave a warning growl. “Miranda, I would appreciate it if you stopped antagonizing my mate. She has already told me she is not ready for motherhood.”
“She’s an adult, boy. More than capable of verbally sparring with me.” Standing as if she had any chance of meeting his height, Miranda seemed every bit an intimidating force of nature. “Besides, your dove is charming, and I want her to have her way. But I don’t want her heartbroken when she realizes what it’s going to cost. Better she hears it from us than one of the men if they sneak up to her when your back is turned. It would not have gone over well for you, General.”
Kneading my neck as if his physical tricks might actually work when I was practically vibrating with tension, Cyderial said, “I have already told them our children are not a current option.”
He discussed such things with his friends without discussing it with me?
“This has been an enlightening conversation.” My words were stilted, the way I rose from my seat graceless. “It was nice meeting all of you.”
Abandoning my drink and the women that might one day be my friends, I let Cyderial escort me away. My mind consumed with the dilemma of responsibility I was far too unprepared to shoulder.
A baby could buy other females’ freedom.
A child of mine who would suffer if taken to the academy.
And I would be choosing to do that to my baby.
I would also birth her, knowing she would be coveted by at least one of the fixedly staring males in the courtyard.
Clearly of a mind to take me home, Cyderial quickened his pace toward the courtyard’s exit. “Don’t let whatever Miranda said scare you. No one can force you to bear children, my love.”
“Wait.” Slowing my pace so he might give me a moment to think, I blurted out, “What if they’re right?”
Where I was caught in a mental tornado, Cyderial was steady as a mountain. He’d had ten years, after all, to consider much in my history and his intentions. He must have even known about the genetic irregularity. Had he not said something about samples being destroyed?
Suspicion must have been all over my face, his response seeking to assure me. “I will handle Miranda and the others. No one will mention this to you again.”
Pulling at his sleeve, I refused to budge another step. When he ceded to my will, I took his hand in both of mine and contemplated the weight of it, the things it could do, the people it had ended. Those hands had been used on my body and might someday hold my child.
Every last child inside me had been fathered by this man. And now those children had to be considered—far sooner than I would have preferred.
Meeting his waiting gaze, I said, “Please show me. Which of them want my daughters?”
“Our daughters,” he quickly corrected, unruffled as he pulled and warmed me against his frame. “All are worthy men, but that is beside the point. You are not ready.”
With a focused, unblinking stare, I took in the faces of every male in attendance, marking those who met my eye. “I wasn’t ready to be mated either, but here I am. Show me who they are.”
Begrudgingly, he pointed at three males, all of whom faced me fully so I might see them from head to toe. They were named, their rank listed, age offered last. Many were older than Cyderial.
General Aegir, the eldest. His hair was an unlikely shade of sliver, but his features maintained the ageless beauty of our kind. Tall and slender, he gave me the impression speed was his skill and that he would be very deadly with a sword.
General Boreal. Broad-shouldered and built thick. Dark skin, dark hair, tight curls, and a face that looked as if it had never smiled.
General Murdoch, younger than the rest, wore his hair long and unbound. Chestnut-brown and wavy, it caught the light. But that was not his defining feature. His mouth set in a permanent smirk, I had the impression he might’ve been the most dangerous of the three.
“And the boy who chased me, begging for my name?” That one in all his terrifying enthusiasm might want my child too.
“Died outside the gates of the academy.”
Good. I would have killed him myself if he had charged at my child in such madness. “What about the man from the bar who helped me?”
“He has already contacted me, asking to be considered. I have not responded, but I admire his restraint in helping you escape.”
Unsure what drove me to do it, I closed the distance between our bodies. Fitting under his arm and flush to his side while I measured my child’s potential suitors. “Why didn’t you tell me?”