Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 21341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 107(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 107(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
"I guess." He heaves a big, gusty sigh and then gamely trots away to find his grandmother.
As he does, Pashov and I share a look.
"He is fine," my husband says with a shrug, still picking caramel out of his teeth. "You worry too much."
Pursing my lips, I watch my son retreat, his little back strong and proud. "I know Kemli will spoil him for a bit, but it doesn't make up for the fact that Tash needs more friends. Everyone's Pacy's age, but there's a gap for Tash and I don't like it." It's like the children have chosen to be either Pacy's friend or Tash's friend, and they've chosen my more gregarious Pacy. Normally it doesn't bother me because Tash has Rollan…but Rollan isn’t here.
Pashov licks his finger as he regards me. "He will find his way. I fought with my brothers when I was younger."
It's different, though. I can't imagine quiet, self-assured Salukh picking a fight with Pashov. And Zennek is an even quieter sweetheart. If anything, Tash is far more like them than his father Pashov. Who else can Tash play with that's the same age? Vekka? She plays dolls with the girls. Maybe Zalene, but she's got a sharp little tongue and has been using it on the boys lately. Tash is sensitive and sweet and I don't want anyone to crush his fragile spirit. "Maybe we should get him a pet. Like Holvek."
"A quill-beast, then?" My mate asks, voice dry. "A snow cat? Or perhaps a dirtbeak?"
I shudder at the thought. Maddie has horror stories of where she's found Millicent nesting. Given that Millicent's a dirtbeak, and dirtbeaks make their nests out of dung, well...I'd be hosing the entire hut down on a regular basis. "Actually, never mind. I guess we'll just wait for Rollan to come back."
"Perhaps you could make our smaller son a very good costume. Have him impress the other boys."
Scraping the last dried bits of hraku caramel off my spoon, I consider this. "I'm not much of a seamstress, but that's not a bad idea. Maybe I'll ask Tiffany for help. You know she's making costumes for their entire family? Do you want to dress up with the boys?"
Pashov grins up at me. "I can. Should I be a unicorn?"
I'm utterly flummoxed by his suggestion. "How do you know what a unicorn is?"
"Harrec suggested it. He said Kate mentioned it is a creature with one horn. Is it insulting?" He touches the nub of his broken horn, where we've been so happy to see some growth again. Not enough to be a visible change, but it's there.
I can't decide if I'm annoyed or not. Kate obviously mentioned unicorns and Pashov in the same sentence to her mate. Unicorns aren't a bad thing, and Kate isn't a cruel sort. She's just awkward at times. I get to my feet and put aside the pan before making a decision. "Unicorns are special magical creatures. I'm going to say it's a good thing."
"Then make me one for your celebration," he says, and jumps up after me. He wraps his arms around me, one sliding to my butt. "No tail here. Maybe you should get one for your costume."
Even when his memories disappeared, Pashov's love for grabbing my butt remained. I grin at him. "You wouldn't know what to do with me if I had a tail."
"I would flip it aside and do the same things I always do." His eyes heat and he pulls me toward him.
I'm suddenly very glad I sent the kids out.
CHAPTER
NINE
JODEN
I shove my knife into the side of the large not-potato, eyeing my mom as she puts a bowl right next to me.
"Make sure you put all the scraps in this bowl, baby. We don't want to waste anything."
"Sure, Mom. Thanks," I say and carve a chunk off of the surface as my mom kisses the top of my head and then flutters off to see how my sister is doing.
At my side, Kae leans closer, her small knife in her hand and an equally large not-potato in front of her. "Has anyone said what are we supposed to be making?"
"I have no idea. But my mom is having fun so I'm going to keep cutting until it looks like something." I shrug and chop another chunk off, lopping it into the bowl. "It's fun to cut this, anyhow."
Today is the day that all us kids are working on holiday preparations. Mom insisted me and my sisters stay with her today and now we're all gathered in the longhouse with knives and not-potatoes and we're supposed to be carving them or something. Mom got excited and started rambling and I think she forgot to tell us what we're supposed to be making, but that's kinda typical for my mom. I figure if no one tells me, I'll make my own thing.