Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 135784 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135784 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
"Probably are." I flex the hand again. "You can replace my legs, too?"
He nods. "Eventually. Give that one a run for a month, make sure you don't have any problems. If you do, come and see me. Repairs are on the house—I guarantee my work. Then, if you're happy…" Zakoar dips his head in acknowledgment. "You come back."
"I will." I'm already planning on it. If all of my limbs can feel this light…the thought is staggering. I don't even care that Zakoar just cleaned me out of more credits than my shuttle cost me. My arm feels amazing. "You're good at your work."
The smile he gives me is thin, half of his mouth frozen by the metal of his jaw. "Got lots of practice in the war." He gestures at my heavy legs. "Can't do much for those today, but I updated a few chips and replaced some faulty wiring while you were under, so they shouldn't give you as many problems as they have. It'll hold you over until you come back." He pulls out a rag and wipes oil off his hands.
"My thanks."
The male glances at me. "Your human nearly came unglued when I worked on your legs. I thought she was going to scratch my eyes out. Had to remove her from the room."
Automatically, I search for Sophie. She's in the next room over, her face pressed against the glass, a frown on her lips as if she's displeased with being out there instead of at my side. Alyvos has a hand on her shoulder, which irks me, but when I see Sophie impatiently try to head for the door again and he stops her, I suspect it has more to do with keeping her out there than touching what's mine.
Our eyes meet and I nod at her.
Sophie calms. She gives me a thumbs up, a question in her eyes.
I give her a thumbs up with my new hand and can't stop the grin on my face.
She grins back.
I glance at Zakoar. "She's as protective of me as I am of her."
His expression is impossible to read. "Is she your slave?"
My protectiveness flares and I narrow my eyes at him, flexing my hand. "Why do you ask?"
Zakoar continues to wipe his hands, his expression calm. "I do not want to buy her. I ask because I know of a planet where humans are safe…if she is on the run. A farm planet. It is supposed to be a good place for them." He pauses for a moment. "So I hear."
"I can take care of my mate," I growl at him.
"I did not say you couldn't." He tosses the rag over his shoulder. "Come then. Let us get your mate before she claws her way through the glass."
I hop off of the operating table and notice that my legs seem to be running smoother as well. There's no shockwave from impact, no ripple of parts reacting as my feet land on the ground. My limbs are still too heavy but…it's better. I head toward Sophie, unable to stop the smile from spreading even wider across my face.
New limbs and a fierce mate at my side. Truly, no male is luckier than I am.
* * *
"Are you sure you won't come with us?" Zoey asks the next day as I run the final diagnostics through the Little Sister's renewed systems. I glance up from my data pad and look over at Sophie. We've talked about this already, but I'm willing to change my plans at a moment's notice if that's what my female wants.
But Sophie shakes her head, her hands on Sleipnir as the carinoux does his best to crawl into her lap and cuddle up. My mate is seated in one of the chairs on the bridge, but it's entirely not big enough for her and an eight-limbed beast, and neither one of them seems to realize it, because Sophie tries to make room for the damned creature. "We'd just be in the way, Zoey. With Sleipnir acting like he is now, I can't leave his side for an instant, and Jerrok and I have decided we can't sell him no matter what. We're better off taking the Sister somewhere safe and waiting for your return rather than just eating up your supplies…or the walls of your ship." She pats the carinoux's nose with a wry look.
Just this morning we woke up to Sleipnir chewing on the comm panel's wiring in our room, so Sophie's not wrong. Given free time and some boredom, the carinoux could do some serious damage to the Sister. At least back on my station there's plenty of room to move around and the terrarium. Sleipnir is easier there. Here, he's anxious and clingy.
He also sleeps between me and Sophie each night, and that needs to come to an end. I miss my mate. I want to claim her body. I want to kiss her all over…without our eight-legged companion watching my every move and deciding if I'm hurting her or not.