Total pages in book: 230
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
“You don’t care at all about quantum mechanics today, do you?”
He didn’t open his eyes. He didn’t have to see Dayita’s frown. Her perfect lips would be turned down, but there would also be a light in those hauntingly gray eyes. “You could read the chapter to me.”
“While you snore? I think not.”
He felt her settle down beside him, their arms barely touching. Yes, that was better. Dayita Samar was the only other Loa Mali resident here at Oxford, and in the last six months he’d pretty much decided that she was the only Loa Mali resident he needed.
He even adored her name. Day. She scared off all the other guys by putting that insanely thick mound of hair up in a mousy bun, hiding her glorious eyes behind bulky glasses, and wearing somewhat shapeless sweaters. He suspected she simply hadn’t figured out how to dress for the cold weather. He wanted to see her on their island home, her body wrapped in a sari that would allow him hints of her copper and gold skin. She scared the men off with her incredible intellect as well. They were all intimidated by how freaking smart she was.
It hadn’t intimidated him. After all, he’d lived in his big brother’s shadow for all his life. He was absolutely used to being the second smartest person in a room.
“I suppose it won’t hurt to take a little nap.” She sighed beside him. “Or to watch the clouds. They’re different here. I’m thinking about taking a meteorology class in my spare time. I’m fascinated by how different the weather is here in England.”
He turned on his side and smiled down at her, his head propped in his hand. “You should feel the way the winds can whip around the Himalayas. There’s nothing like a storm at base camp one.”
Her eyes came open. “You’re telling me they let you climb Everest? I would think the guards would have a problem with that. Did you force poor Rai to be your Sherpa?”
Naturally she knew what he was talking about and that he would need someone to guide him. And she was right about the guards. “I went to Nepal in Shray’s place. He got a horrible cold at the last minute, but Father didn’t want to cancel the trip. They let me go up to the first base camp. It was more than enough. A storm hit and I froze my poor backside off. I got back to the beach as quickly as possible.”
She laughed, the sound musical to his ears. “Did you cuddle with the guard?”
“I have a ‘no cuddling’ policy with my royal guard. And you know they only really stay close when I’m working for my father. There aren’t many people here in Oxford who want to hurt the spare heir of a tiny island country. Shray, on the other hand, oh, let’s just say I’ve learned to be happy that I’m a second son.”
“It’s one of the things I like about you, Your Highness.” She rolled over too, and they were side by side. “I think it would be hard to have your whole life laid out for you. I like that you’re not jealous of your brother.”
Yes, this was the Day he’d come to… Had he come to love Day? He certainly felt more for her than he’d ever felt for a girl before. He hadn’t slept with a single model, or anyone else, since he’d met her, and he hadn’t even tried to kiss her yet.
“Most people think I should be saddened by the idea of being the spare. By being so close to the crown and yet so far away. They think I should be jealous of Shray, but I feel sorry for him. Don’t get me wrong. I adore my brother, but I don’t want to be him. You’re right. His life is laid out for him. He’ll marry some woman my father approves of, have children as soon as possible, and settle down to be the perfect king one day. Did you know they forced him to major in economics and political science?”
He shuddered at the thought. And Shray hadn’t been allowed to go so far from home. He’d studied in India so he could be close to the palace. His leash had been so very short.
Day’s nose wrinkled. “How boring. Except the math part. That’s probably fun. Maybe I’ll study it in my free time.”
He had to smile. “You don’t have any free time. I’m forcing you to study something else. It’s called human dynamics. We’re going to a pub tonight and we’ll drink and eat and watch the crowds.”
Now her eyes went wide. “I need to study. I have a test in differential equations next week.”
“Which you can pass in your sleep.” Day had forgotten more mathematics than most people ever learned. Still, he knew she would prepare. “You can study later, Day. Tonight you’re going to play. You never play.”