Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 144433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
"Am I losing my mind?" Nassakth demands, his gaze flicking from Maeve back to me. "You bring an enemy to my doorstep and you're worried about pastries and if I'm being rude? He is a dead fool walking for daring to approach me."
"It's...an honor," I manage to rasp out. "You're just as fast as ever."
The incredulous look on his face deepens. "And you're going to die because I won't have my mate and cubs threatened! Did you bring assassins with you? Is this female one? Who else knows that I am here?"
Maeve shoves the box of pastries under Nassakth's nose, unafraid. "If you're done bleating about the blood of your enemies, can I point out the obvious?"
His brows lower. "You two are trying my patience—"
"He's orange," Maeve continues. "He's orange and hideous and his fur is a disaster. He's wearing clothes I bribed the laundress for. Does he look like he's in a position of power to you?"
Shame floods my system. "You told me my mane was not that bad!"
But some of the anger is draining from Nassakth's gaze. He studies me with a look of intense skepticism, as if he's not believing what he's seeing. He reaches out and plucks a strand of fur from my head, staring at the root.
"He's in hiding because he's being hunted," Maeve continues. "You think he would look like a wreck on purpose? Dye himself orange on purpose? He's in hiding, just like you. If I would have known you were going to attack him, I would have never agreed to let him meet you. Here I was trying to be a good wife to cheer him up by having him meet his hero and you're trying to choke him out."
Nassakth pauses. Rubs that strand of my fur between his fingers again. "This is a lousy disguise if it is one."
"You got any better options that don't cost a ton of money?" Maeve asks. "Because I'm a broke-ass human. And the disguise is just so he can blend in. No one knows that he's here...except you."
"I knew him immediately," Nassakth says. "It's in his demeanor. Anyone that has been around nobility would recognize it instantly."
"You hear that, babe? You need to slouch more."
I look over at Maeve, and she winks at me.
"I..." I'm still dazzled by Nassakth. I have been pinned to the dirt by my hero! He almost killed me. Truly, I am honored. "I swear on everything I own that I mean no harm to you and your family. I simply wished to meet you."
Nassakth leans in. "Swear on your mate's life."
"Hey," Maeve protests.
"I swear it," I say.
"Hey!" Maeve protests again.
Nassakth plucks the dying plant from his head and brushes the dirt off his brow. "You two have some explaining to do. As for your plant, treating it like this isn't going to help it thrive." He gets to his feet. "Come inside."
We have been invited into Nassakth's house. Truly this day is just getting better by the moment.
CHAPTER
NINETY-ONE
MAEVE
We follow the ex-gladiator inside the big house, and as we do, I'm filled with a sense of trepidation. I'm not excited like Zhur. I can tell he's beside himself with joy as he rubs his throat, his tail with that little curl at the end that indicates happiness. For a guy at the center of political intrigue, he sure is trusting. Me, I'm worried that this Nassakth is inviting us inside so it makes it easier for him to dispose of the bodies.
He knows who Zhur is. Knew him the moment he laid eyes on him. Does Zhur have easily recognizable features for a cat guy? Or does Nassakth know him because he was very familiar with the royal family? I genuinely have no idea and it makes me nervous. None of Zhur's hiding here was thought through very well. Either it was all completely last minute, or someone has set him up to fail.
I don't like the thought of that at all.
I'm further disturbed as we step into Nassakth's house, because it's clear he doesn't have the same set-up as the rest of us. The interior is like a stucco palace with tons of windows and pretty, pale tiled floors. There's greenery all over every inch of the place, some of them tiny pots on windowsills, all the way to broad-leafed trees in large planters situated under beams of light. The ceiling is high and airy, and every inch of this place reminds me that this is a house that was built for someone with money. It's a far cry from my tiny little farm and it reminds me that money equals power, and Nassakth has power. Or connections. Or both.
It's not a comfortable feeling.
"Are we having company?" A human woman steps out of the hallway towards us. She's average looking and probably about ten years older than me. She's also very heavily pregnant, her big belly showcased in a form-fitting tunic with a decorative belt adorning her hips. She puts a hand under her stomach as if to support it and gives me and Zhur an awkward smile. "I haven't cleaned house."