Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 124077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 414(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 414(@300wpm)
“No,” was all he said.
Terra turned to him with an innocent expression.
“I didn’t say anything,” she protested.
He raised an eyebrow.
“You were about to.”
“I was just looking,” Terra said.
The big Monstrum crossed his arms over his broad chest.
“I said, no.”
She burst out laughing.
“But don’t people decorate their horns?”
“Some do,” he allowed grudgingly.
“But you don’t?” Terra asked.
“No.” Taurex shook his head firmly.
“Why not? It looks like fun!”
“Because I am not a festival display,” he rumbled.
Terra laughed harder.
“But just think how cute you’d look with flowers on your horns!”
One of the vendors heard her and held up a vine covered in tiny golden flowers that glowed and tinkled with soft, bell-like chimes.
“This would look magnificent against his horns,” she told Terra.
“I agree,” Terra said, nodding.
Taurex stared at both of them.
“No.”
Terra took the vine from the vendor and held it up near his face–though she had to stand on tiptoes to do so.
“Come on. Just let me see,” she coaxed.
He shook his head again.
“No.”
“Please? It would look pretty,” she wheedled, still laughing.
The corners of Taurex’s mouth twitched but he still refused.
“I do not wish to look pretty.”
“You could look handsome and pretty,” she pointed out.
“Terra.”
There was a warning growl in his voice, but she could see the amusement in his golden eyes.
“Just one little flower?” Terra asked.
“Not even one.”
Taurex backed away and she followed him. It was fun to tease her huge Monstrum boss, she decided.
“You are enjoying this far too much,” Taurex rumbled, still retreating.
“I really am,” she admitted.
“You will not decorate my horns.”
“What if I ask nicely and make puppy dog eyes?” Terra gave him sad, pleading eyes.
“I do not understand how you could turn your human eyes to canine eyes, but the answer is still no,” he said.
Terra was laughing so hard she could barely hold the flowering vine when the vendor said cheerfully,
“Your mate is very patient with you.”
The laughter died in Terra’s throat. Again someone had mistaken her for Taurex’s mate. She glanced at the big Monstrum to see his reaction.
For the briefest instant something passed over his face—something warm and intense that made her heart flutter. Then he inclined his head to the vendor.
“She is worth being patient for.”
Terra’s cheeks got hot with a blush as she handed back the vine. She wasn’t sure how to feel. For the second time someone had mistaken them for a couple and Taurex hadn’t bothered to correct them. In fact, he had leaned into it. What exactly did that mean? Or did it mean anything at all?
“Er…maybe we should keep moving,” she said.
“An excellent idea,” Taurex said, though his mouth was still twitching.
They walked away from the stall and Terra became acutely conscious of the fact that somehow, they were holding hands again. She couldn’t even remember when it had happened–somewhere between the glowing plant and the horn decorations, her hand had simply found his, and he had taken it.
For several minutes, neither of them spoke. Terra looked around at the strange, beautiful forest Market instead, trying to get her suddenly fluttering emotions under control.
The green artificial sunlight filtered through layers of purple and pink leaves overhead, mixing with the glow of thousands of flowers and making the entire place seem enchanted. Alien scents drifted through the air—spices and warm bread and fragrant blossoms and things she couldn’t name. Everywhere she looked there were couples strolling together, laughing and talking, their children sometimes trailing behind.
For the first time in years, Terra felt completely relaxed. There was nowhere she had to rush to, no bill she was worried about paying. No customer waiting for her to smile and pretend she enjoyed his hands on her body when his touch actually made her skin crawl.
In fact, there were no men bothering her at all–no Jackson criticizing her and no Orlov watching from the shadows.
She was millions of miles from Earth, walking through an impossible forest inside a living spaceship orbiting Mars while a giant Minotaur held her hand and carried groceries for a meal he intended to cook for her.
How had this become her life and why did it feel so good–so impossibly right?
Terra glanced up at Taurex again and this time the big Monstrum caught her looking.
“Are you well, Terra?” he asked in that soft, deep voice of his.
“I’m very well, thank you,” she said. Then, before she could lose her nerve, she added, “In fact, I was just thinking that I’m having a really good time.”
Taurex’s expression softened.
“I am glad.”
“This is the most fun I’ve had in…” Terra tried to remember. “God, I don’t even know how long.”
Something serious entered his golden eyes.
“Then you have not had enough joy in your life.”
The words landed more deeply than she expected, and Terra looked away.
“No,” she admitted softly. “I guess I haven’t.”
Taurex squeezed her hand.
“I want to change that for you–I want to give you joy,” he rumbled.