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)
Lyrica shook her head. “It’s not the way things are done today.”
“Maybe not in this country,” Vero said, “but you can’t say that for all human countries.” Lyrica cut him a glare. He tried not to smile. She was irresistibly cute, like a sparrow darting about, and there wasn’t much in this world that ever made him back down.
“I do understand how the world works,” Eudokia countered. “Georgios and I often traveled. One of his jobs the past couple of centuries has been to acquire goods for the Kurjan nation, and I’ve shopped all over the world. I’ve had a good time, too, and I haven’t seen any life I’d rather have than the one I do.” She looked at Lyrica again. “How about you? Were you happy before you were taken from your current life?”
Lyrica frowned. “I was happy enough. At least I had my freedom.”
“Hmm,” Eudokia said softly. “Happy enough. That doesn’t sound like happy to me.”
Lyrica placed her cup back on the table.
“I agree,” Vero said, surprising himself. He took a big gulp of his drink. Where had he been that he didn’t know apple cider even existed? Maybe it was time he ventured out on his own for a little while. He looked at Eudokia. “Are you content in your mating?”
She smiled. “I’m very content. I love Georgios, and I want to stay with him.”
Lyrica finally sat back and looked like her body relaxed. “But from what I’ve seen of the interaction between you two, he’s rather demanding.”
“All males are demanding,” Eudokia said, her gaze flicking to Vero and back. “Even if they don’t know it at first.”
Vero fully recognized himself as a demanding male. He’d had no choice when he had to rise up within the soldier ranks. And yet, he remained their finest scientist, though by force of habit he kept that well concealed.
“But a male shouldn’t be telling you what to do,” Lyrica said softly.
Eudokia chuckled, and a slight accent emerged, but Vero couldn’t place it. “We might do things differently here in the Kurjan nation,” she said kindly, “but like I said, I’m happy. Yes, Georgios is a little bossy sometimes, especially when it comes to safety, but if you think I don’t rule that roost with my mate and my three grown soldiers who have ventured out on their own, then you’re not watching closely enough.”
Vero had seen Eudokia in full temper at one of her sons once, and he would’ve backed down as fast as her son did that day.
Eudokia looked Lyrica over. “In fact, all three of them are currently unattached. I would be more than pleased to provide an introduction for you.”
Irritation clacked down Vero’s spine, but he didn’t move. He didn’t so much as twitch.
Even so, Eudokia glanced at him beneath her lashes. “Or perhaps not.” She smiled again. “May I provide any additional information to you this fine day?”
Lyrica nodded. “Would your mate let you leave?”
Vero stiffened. Talk about a loaded question.
Eudokia’s smile brightened her already pretty face. “Not in a thousand lifetimes.”
“Exactly.” Lyrica slapped her jeans-clad thigh. “You can’t really leave.”
“No, probably not.” Eudokia sipped again. “If I did leave, and that male failed to follow me, I’d sever his head from his fit body. He’d better love me more than that.” She sniffed. “Even the thought of it makes me want to burn the gingerbread I planned to bake for him tonight.”
Vero’s ears perked up. “Please don’t do that. Georgios hasn’t done anything wrong.”
Eudokia lifted one eyebrow. “I’ll save you a slice. Prince.”
“Thank you,” he said sincerely. The woman was a genius with all breads.
Lyrica clasped her hands in her lap. “I don’t understand.”
A fine line formed between Eudokia’s eyes. “I’m sorry. Are you saying you’ve never met a male who would die for you? Kill for you? Who couldn’t live this existence without you?”
“No,” Lyrica breathed. “In my world, that’s pretty much called stalking and a behavioral abnormality.”
Eudokia pursed her lips. “I suppose it’s a matter of degree.” This time, she leaned toward Lyrica. “Make sure you know yourself before you attend speed dating again. There’s no halfway with the thought of a divorce if you mate an immortal.”
“I know.” Lyrica seemed to be avoiding looking at Vero. “Some of us like freedom.”
“Some of us like safety, protection, and undying passionate love,” Eudokia said softly. “But again, there’s a fine line. Make sure you choose a male who’d give his life to keep you safe, and not one whose ego is dependent upon you or who would even consider harming you. Any male who’d hurt a female should be put down.”
Vero finished his drink. “I couldn’t agree more.” His uncles had been assholes to everyone, even females. How could he explain this to Lyrica? “While I’ve observed mates like my brother be overbearing and overprotective, he’d do anything in his power to make Hope happy. If she’s not happy, he’s miserable.” Which put the power in Hope’s hands, really.