Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Paxton nodded, then groaned. “So did I. Believe me, I didn’t expect her declaration. I figured she’d agree to mate him to save everyone. But in the end, she said only one answer existed.”
That kind of loyalty proved rare. “So I thought that she knew something about you that I didn’t. She’s the Realm princess—the heir to everything. She chose you, Pax. So I figured I should, too.”
Paxton coughed, turned to the side, and spit out a couple of blood clots. “You have a great uppercut.”
“Ditto.”
Pax lifted an ankle and his boot jerked to the right as it healed with a loud crack. “When Hunter heals—”
“No. I don’t want to talk about Hunter.”
Paxton sighed heavily. “He was just doing his job. The one the King of the Realm, his father, ordered him to do.”
“I know,” Vero said softly. “I understand. I really do.” Vero had always followed the orders of his superiors as well. But Hunter had pretended to be his friend for years. They’d trained and had gone on missions together, always having each other’s backs. More than that. They’d geeked out together in the science labs in a way other soldiers would never appreciate.
“You’re related to him now. I mated his cousin and you’re my brother.”
The words weighed heavily but Vero kept his focus pure. “You can deal with them all you like, but I’m not. I’m your enforcer here and out in the world. And I hope to hell, if you somehow come to an agreement at the Convexus and save the Kurjan nation, that you’re not planning to settle the Kurjan nation in Idaho near demon and vampire headquarters.” Vero would never live that close to them, even if they became allies. The idea of losing this brother he’d just found felt like another fist to the gut, but he’d never admit it.
Paxton chuckled. “No. Canada is the place for us.” He cleared his throat. “If things go south and the Kurjan nation crumbles, there’s a place for you in the Realm. Just so you know.”
“You can’t have a plan B, Paxton. It’s the Kurjan nation or nothing.” Sad but true.
“All right. Well then, I will succeed in bringing the Cyst soldiers back into the nation. There’s no alternative.”
Vero’s gut actually ached. “I’m glad you understand that.”
Paxton sighed. “For the record, I’d love to reach a point where we are true allies with the Realm. Maybe even friends.”
That would take centuries. Maybe. “The easiest way to do that is to arrange for matings, if the Cyst return home. While vampires and Kurjans are male only, a lot of demons, shifters, and fairies align with the Realm. Maybe we start speed dating with other species in a few years.”
“Speaking of speed dating, what’s up with you and Lyrica?”
The mention of the stubborn female’s name heated his blood. “Nothing. The female is impossible.” But that kiss. That was something.
“You like her,” Paxton said, his voice light.
“Do not.” Vero could finally see out of his left eye.
Paxton punched him in the thigh. “Do too.”
Vero swiveled and grabbed Paxton around the waist, throwing them both into a snowbank. “Do not.” He punched first without hesitation this time.
Chapter Twelve
Lyrica sat straight up in bed, blinking her eyes. She gingerly removed the laptop from her chest. She must’ve fallen asleep while planning the next few activities for the community. So far, she’d had a difficult time drawing out the long-standing Kurjan mates. The females seemed to keep to themselves. But finally, a few had started confiding in her. They had dreams. She wanted to help them succeed in life so badly.
What had awakened her? A loud thump and a groan came from the next bedroom. She pushed off the warm covers and yanked on yoga pants before tiptoeing to the door. A bump and a muffled curse came through the night. That was Vero. She’d recognize his low tenor anywhere, but he didn’t usually use expletives. Around her, anyway.
Her heart pounded and she took several deep breaths to calm herself. Then she slowly opened her door and looked out into the darkened hallway. Nothing.
Swallowing, she padded in her bare feet to Vero’s doorway and knocked softly.
Nothing. What if he was hurt? Steeling her shoulders, she opened his door to see him sprawled across his ultra large bed, face down, his powerful frame dominating the space. His broad shoulders were motionless, the thick, defined muscles hidden beneath layers of bloody and snow-covered fabric. His back, normally taut and imposing, seemed oddly slack, but even in stillness, his sheer physical presence was undeniable. The fabric of his jacket clung to him, soaked through in places, revealing hints of the hard planes beneath. Ice had formed in jagged patterns down the backs of his legs, encasing the ridges of muscle there in a crystalline sheen. Water dripped steadily from his combat boots, pooling onto the floor, the sound unnervingly loud in the silence.