Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 118860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
There was a short silence. That is the nicest thing you could say to me. I worry I’m bringing you into a nightmare world. I don’t know what the future holds for me or how I will continue to evolve. I only know I want the world for you, the one in your dreams, not the nightmare life I may be offering you.
I know you don’t think I have a choice, Tomas. You bound us together in the way of your people, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have choices. I do. I made you my choice. Whatever happens in your world happens in mine, and I believe we’re stronger together. I believe we will be able to face anything in our future as a couple.
I am grateful you feel that way, sivamet. It is humbling to have your support when you haven’t been given the time needed to process our world fully.
I know things. I don’t know how I do. I believe it is my jaguar. I believe in her wisdom. She has memories I closed myself off from, but her gifts, the incredible warning system as well as her ability to feel when something is right, have always been shared with me.
She wanted the reassurance that should anything affect her jaguar, they wouldn’t proceed with the current plan of converting her. What would we do if things go wrong with Coh? She made certain her mind was open to any possible solutions he might make. I try to plan for any contingency. This is huge for me. It is the only thing that would stop me from going through with becoming fully Carpathian.
Sarika waited, trying not to hold her breath. Trying to give Tomas complete trust.
Solange’s jaguar remained intact. I believe that yours will as well. If we can see there is a problem, we will stop what we’re doing and wait to consult with our greatest healers. Luiz has much skill. It will be uncomfortable for us, and certainly the others will think it is an inconvenience when we must travel, but your safety and that of your jaguar must come first.
Tears were suddenly burning in her eyes, and Sarika was grateful no one was there to witness the tremendous relief that washed through her at Tomas’ response. He was the right man for her. Steady and careful thinking. He seemed to truly put her needs first.
They had been connected mind to mind, and she caught glimpses of the problems—and there would be numerous ones—Tomas and his brothers would encounter if she wasn’t able to go to ground during daylight hours. They would have to find a way to keep her safe while she remained aboveground and they were rejuvenating in the soil. Vampires would not be able to get to her, but they created puppets, humans that were no longer capable of thinking for themselves. They only served their masters. Those puppets ate human flesh.
A little shudder went through her body. She didn’t think it would be a very pleasant way to go, eaten by a puppet of the vampires.
You are not going to be eaten by puppets.
There was definite male amusement not only in his voice but pouring through her mind. She had to admit, she liked the smooth sound. She could listen to his voice forever.
First of all, you are quite capable of defending yourself even from something as vile as a puppet.
Sarika really liked his belief in her. It was no wonder she found him attractive. He treated her with respect, and she needed that.
Thank you for believing I could defeat a flesh-eating puppet of the vampire, but I think I’d prefer to faint and let you take care of it. I’ll put aside my badass status and try the fainting, fragile flower approach.
I see. You’ll play that card whenever you see something you don’t want to do?
Of course, kind of like asking the husband to take out the trash because it’s so heavy, when in reality it’s just smelly and not a good job to have to do.
His laughter played through her mind, lightening her spirit. Sarika stepped back from the rail. She didn’t feel a threat to her. There were no jaguar males waiting to pounce on her should she leave the safety of Luiz’s tree house. Not that she could. She frowned, trying to decide if she should be happy at Tomas’ concern or annoyed. She chose to be happy.
Hurry to me, Tomas. This is going to be a long day. Right at this moment, everything is beautiful. The sky, the trees, the animals. All of it is astonishingly beautiful. I want to share the beauty with you before everything falls apart.
There was a short silence. Her stomach did a slow roll. He liked what she’d said to him. She wasn’t the best at relationships. She was feeling her way, but she knew he was pleased, and that made her very happy. She tipped her head back to look up at the canopy, at the various leaves and branches gently swaying.