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)
“All right, I’ll stop asking about your life.” Lyrica paused. “One more question first. I meant to ask you last time how you chose your surname, now that the Kurjans are claiming last names.”
Eudokia smoothed out her skirts with one hand. “Guavras was my surname before I mated Georgios. He thinks Georgios Guavras sounds a little too cutesy, but that’s what I wanted, so he agreed to the family surname.”
Lyrica’s eyebrows lifted. So that was a surprise, huh? She cleared her throat. “All right. Is there anybody that you know of who might be in a bad situation?”
“Situation?”
“Yes. Anybody who might not want to stay mated to their current mates.”
Eudokia’s lips briefly pressed together. “I’m sure I would never speak out of turn like that.”
Vero stiffened and forced himself to remain impassive. “Do you mind letting us know, Eudokia? We’re attempting to make sure that everybody wants to be in the lives they’re inhabiting.”
Eudokia looked away and then back. “All right, but I can’t think of anybody right now.” She stood, and Vero immediately did as well. “We’ve kept our heads down for so long, mostly from the Kurjan leadership and not from our mates. In fact, many of our mates have tried to shield us from leadership. Now that’s changed. I think you’re good for us all…Vero.”
Lyrica pushed herself to her feet. “What do you think about a field trip? Say we take a few of the mated ladies and, I don’t know, go to Vegas and have a weekend?”
Eudokia predictably looked toward Vero as she pulled on her coat and quickly buttoned it to the top.
He thought about it. “I can perhaps see some sort of vacation like that, but there would be security around you at all times.”
“Oh no.” Lyrica shook her head. “No, no. It would just be several of the women going.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Vero said, keeping his tone level but firm. “The world’s a dangerous place, and some of these females haven’t been to cities in eons. I would insist upon protection being in place. That’s nonnegotiable.”
Eudokia chuckled. “He’s not the only soldier who will set that rule, Lyrica. Honestly, I wouldn’t fight this one.” She reached over and gently touched Lyrica’s shoulder. “Also, maybe take a look at your thought processing. Just how happy have you been with the males in your life? I sense that something has been missing for you.”
Vero didn’t want to consider other males in Lyrica’s life, although it wasn’t any of his business.
Eudokia reached down and retrieved her mug. “May I borrow this? I’d like to finish this delicious drink, and I’ll return the mug washed.”
“Of course.” Vero lifted a pen and pulled one of Lyrica’s notebooks in front of him. “You’ve been with the Kurjan nation for a long time, Eudokia. Have you ever seen this symbol?” He quickly scratched out the circle with the three slashes through it.
Eudokia leaned over and stared at the drawing. “No. I’ve never seen that before. What is it?”
He figured she hadn’t. “This was carved into the back of the neck of a recent human victim here in camp.”
Eudokia sobered. “I heard about that. How sad…and odd. Why would anybody kill a human female?”
Vero had no idea.
Lyrica stared at the drawing. “As soon as we have Internet via satellite, I can conduct a search for that.” Visibly shaking herself, she looked away. “It was nice chatting with you today, Eudokia.”
“Same with you, Lyrica.” Eudokia gave another quick curtsy. “My prince.” Humor sounded in her voice this time, but her tone remained kind. She turned and headed toward the doorway.
“Eudokia?” Vero asked suddenly.
She paused and looked over her shoulder. “Yes, Prince?”
“Have you heard anything from Karma?” He doubted that any messages from Karma could have made it to Kurjan territory, but still, he had to ask. Ever since the nightmare the previous night, he couldn’t stop thinking about the sweet female.
Eudokia’s face fell. “No, and I miss her terribly. If you manage to get word to her, would you tell her hello for me?”
“Of course,” Vero said.
Eudokia swept outside and shut the door behind her.
He looked at Lyrica. “Why do you think you haven’t been happy in past relationships?”
She stood straighter. “I have no idea.”
Interesting. “Maybe you’ve been choosing the wrong males.” If anybody needed some cover and a safe place, it was Lyrica Graves.
“Is that an invite?” she snapped back.
His life was filled with danger right now, and he didn’t see that reality changing. He had to protect Paxton, and that most likely meant fighting to the death sooner rather than later. However, it was becoming clear to him how he could protect her. From very close to her. “It depends how much you want to take a risk.”
Yeah. He meant every word of that.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”