Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 130955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 655(@200wpm)___ 524(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 655(@200wpm)___ 524(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
Emil chewed on that for a few seconds. “If you need any help, there’s people I could ask for advice.”
Heat pulsed in Yev’s temples, and he swallowed the last of his cake. “You’re not alone in this.” Seeing Radek smile again felt like the purpose of Yev’s life for a second.
“Thanks. For now I just want to make sure this little guy is happy,” Radek said about Coal. “He’s suffered enough.”
It seemed to be obvious to everyone but Radek that the usual goings-on of the farm couldn’t resume, even if the foxes had better food and more space to run. But he was already dealing with so much shit Yev didn’t want to throw that in his face too.
The remaining half hour of their visit at Emil and Adam’s passed in easy conversation, but as pleasant as that had been, Yev was glad to take his two foxes home. He’d expected Radek to chatter on the way, but the boy was unusually subdued, and a few minutes into the drive through the snowy landscape, Yev lost patience. “Is everything okay?”
Radek nodded, but didn’t look any more cheerful. “I was just thinking about my mom. I usually avoid it, but we talked about the farm, and that circles back to money… She’s got multiple sclerosis, and most days she’s okay, but her illness will most likely get worse. She’ll need more care, maybe more than Mrs. Irena is willing to provide. If the farm brings less money, or stops earning altogether… I don’t know.”
Yev scratched the back of his head, his gaze on the road. It was a relief to see Radek starting to take care of things he was responsible for, as if the sudden change in his life had truly launched him into adulthood. Yev had no right answers, but he’d be there for him. “Maybe you could turn that land into something less… evil.”
“Land would be easier to divide than the farm itself, because I can’t just leave half the foxes with the Golonkos. They’d just breed them somewhere else. Maybe if I came up with a business idea Golonko would approve of, we could shift our attention to that and find a sanctuary to take in the foxes. It’s… difficult to have so much on my plate.” He hugged Coal when the fox woke up, and Yev wished they weren’t in the car, so he could embrace Radek.
“I will help you,” he declared, meeting Radek’s sad gaze. Even though he’d eventually leave Dybukowo and join his pack, he’d make sure Radek’s affairs were in order first. So maybe it wasn’t exactly reasonable, but he did feel responsible for him the same way Radek felt about the foxes. Maybe that was what happened when you saved someone?
Radek stroked Yev’s arm with the stump hidden in the jacket sleeve. “It’s nice to have someone I can count on.”
Something about his tone made Yev choke up. “You do. I tagged you with my name and phone number. That means I’m responsible for you, Ember.”
Radek winked. “I bet you say that to all the foxes.”
Yev slowed down as they approached the woods. “Not all of them. But I did tame you, remember?”
Radek’s golden eyes met his. “No one’s ever managed before. I can be a bit bitey.”
“I can be very patient,” Yev said, leaning in as he followed the herby scent of Radek’s hair.
Radek laughed. “Yev. Road. Wait for kisses until we get home if you’re that patient.”
Yev stilled, struck that he was definitely not patient when it came to Radek’s closeness. He stopped the car and cupped the handsome face, opening Radek’s mouth with his tongue. The boy gasped against his lips, leaning in and closing his eyes. So eager, so pliant, so lovely despite also having a jagged edge that made him interesting.
This time, even Coal wasn’t getting angry with him for touching the Fox Whisperer, and Yev laughed into the kiss when a warm tongue licked his neck.
Chapter 20 – Radek
“Radek? What are you wearing?” Mom frowned as soon as she spotted him in the far end of the corridor. “This coat doesn’t go with your complexion, I told you many times that red makes your skin look pink.”
Radek sighed as he made his way toward her. She was usually on her weekly shop at this time on Monday, and he’d come over in hopes of avoiding her forever, but her schedule must have changed.
“It’s a new jacket, I like it.” Wasn’t exactly new, since it belonged to Yev, but was new to Radek. Radek felt a lot more proficient in shifting nowadays, but Yev insisted on the bright color so he could spot Radek from afar, and it was nice to know he cared so much.
Mom looked up from her magazine. She sat on a sofa in the living room with one dainty biscuit by her tea cup. “It’s far too big for you too. Please get a new one. People will think I can’t afford to buy my son a jacket.”