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)
She takes another sip of tea, shaking her head all the while. "I can't believe I'm going to even consider this." Her gaze moves to me. "You can't be around when I'm asking questions. You get this weird fanboy look on your face the moment his name is mentioned. It's distracting."
I suspect she's not wrong. I am normally well-equipped to hide my emotions, but the thought of meeting the famous Nassakth has me feeling like a nine-year-old cub watching his first bout. Even now, I'm grinning at the possibility that I might get to speak to him. "I shall make myself scarce when we are in town."
She thinks for a moment. "I'll bring some clothes to be mended to the woman that's set up a tailoring business and start from there. You can go to Simone's and chat with her for a bit. Get some fresh buns, too. The ones with the sweet stuff in the middle."
I nod my head. "It shall be as you ask."
"And stay there. I'll come get you. Don't come looking for me. If I ask about a praxiian and another praxiian shows up, anyone I talk to is going to get hugely suspicious."
"I will remain at Simone's side."
Maeve sets down her tea cup and sighs. "Okay, let me go rip something. The story holds up better if I actually show up with torn clothing."
"Would you like for me to tear it for you?" I inquire solicitously. "I can assist."
To my surprise, my wife blushes. "No, no, I can do it."
Interesting. She blushes at the thought of me tearing her clothes. I tuck that tidbit away for future use.
CHAPTER
SIXTY-FIVE
MAEVE
I clutch the torn dress in my grip as we walk toward the outskirts of Port. I've strategically ripped one of the sleeves, because tearing the neckline feels far too obvious. Zhur walks at my side, wearing the jumpsuit I modified for him, his mane spiked into a quasi-mohawk this morning. He keeps a hand at the small of my back just like a husband would.
Just that light touch makes me feel giddy and shy at the same time.
Nothing is supposed to have changed between us, and yet I feel as if everything has changed. I can't stop blushing. I'm sore between my thighs—a good sore—and feel as if I'm walking bowlegged, even though I know I'm not. I checked in the mirror first. I can't make eye contact with Zhur without giggling.
Everyone in Port is going to know I got laid.
I feel so incredibly obvious, like I have a neon sign on my forehead screaming "SHE GOT THE D." And yet at the same time, I'm kinda proud of it? Why shouldn't we fuck? We're married, right? The fact that we're sleeping together just sells the whole package.
I decide I'm fine with it. And then I have to bite back another giggle, because I'm such a dork.
We turn towards the main street of Port, and as we do, I pause. Zhur pauses at my side, his hand flexing on my back. "Should we split up now?"
"Yeah, it's probably a good idea. You know where to find Simone?"
He gives me a dismissive look. "Of course. There is one street here. It would be impossible to miss her."
"I'm just asking. No need to get all prickly on me."
He reaches down and gives my backside a pat, the playful gesture making me jump with surprise. "I'm not being prickly. If I was, I'd say we should use the sled to come into town instead of walking in like a peasant."
Now I've got flirty Zhur? Even his tone is frisky. I eye him suspiciously. "You do know we are peasants, right? Everyone here's a peasant?"
"Except for Lord va'Rin."
"Right, not him—"
"And Nassakth, who is a gladiator of renown."
I roll my eyes because I swear, Nassakth has made it into every conversation we've had. "I'm surprised you didn't call out Nassakth's name when we were in bed together, you've got such a crush on him," I grumble. "I'm sorry I'm coming between the two of you."
He gives my backside another squeeze. "Don't be jealous, Maeve. I will give you all the dick you possibly need."
Oh lord.
I clear my throat, looking around at the quiet street. It's early and there's not many people out, which is a good thing. "Just...keep your voice down when you say shit like that, all right? And come here."
Zhur moves closer but doesn't lean down. "Is something wrong?"
I crook my finger at him. "I'm going to give you a quick kiss before you go. It's a couple sort of thing—we call it PDA. Public displays of affection."
"I see. And your people are into this?"
"Some are. Lean down, please." He does, and I give him a quick kiss on the mouth before he can say anything else. That done, I pat his chest. "Thank you."