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 would hope so after destroying my fingers!" Nora flexes them again. "I'm dead on my feet. I don't know how you have so much energy."
Me? Have energy? I'm tired—or so I thought. Now that Nora mentions it, though, I do feel restless. Not quite uneasy. Just like I can't sit still for long. Even now, I'm pacing along the edge of the crowd, as if I can't find just the right spot to stand in. Or that I can't stand there for long. "Maybe it's adrenaline," I tell my friend. "I'll crash out before the end of the day."
"It sounds like you need to be on one of the football teams, then." She makes a shooing motion at me. "Go join up before it's too late. They're starting soon."
Football might not be a bad idea. I'm not the sporty type, but I'm considering it just to get rid of this restless energy. I touch her arm in thanks and then head away from the group clustered near the costume contest.
"Mom! Did you see us?" Lukti comes running up before I can head for the far end of the village that's been cordoned off for the soccer “fields.” "We won!"
"I saw. You both looked incredible." I turn and hug my son as he throws his arms around me, and share a smile with a beaming Drenol. "No one even stood a chance."
"I got a special prize," he tells me proudly, holding up a beaded leather waist-pouch meant to be looped on the belt. "And Drenol got one too!"
"You two get to match again," I tease. "That's wonderful."
Lukti takes his hat off and cranes his head, eyeing the group gathering at the far end of the village. "You think we're still in time for foot and ball?"
"Football," I correct. His dad says “foot and ball game” even though it's the American version of soccer. "And go change quickly and I bet you can still join in. I'll tell them to hold you a spot while you get out of your costume."
Drenol just stands there. He doesn't go to change costumes. He just eyes me as if I've got something on my face.
"Everything all right?"
His eyes narrow. "You do not seem yourself."
I fight back a flare of irritation at his words. Maybe I'm hormonal? Because normally his comment wouldn't bother me. "I'm just a little on edge today."
"Why?"
Hell if I know. I shrug and turn towards the football players, only to see Salukh heading towards us. The sight of him takes my breath away. Even after all this time, I can't get enough of looking at him. At his strong nose and the soft mouth that kisses me so sweetly. At the impressive breadth of his shoulders. Even the way he smells makes me crazy—
The way he smells? Why am I waxing poetic about how my mate smells?
Salukh seems a little agitated, too. He all but races over to my side, and he seems unfocused. His gaze skitters over me before flicking to Drenol and then pulling me closer in a possessive gesture. "You are here."
"Yes. I wanted to play football. Lukti, too."
To my surprise, Salukh frowns. He touches my cheek and shakes his head. "I do not want anyone pushing you. The thought makes me...angry."
"Huh?" I've played football with everyone before. He's never once mentioned getting angry about anything. This is Salukh. He doesn't get angry.
As if realizing what he just said, he scrubs a hand down his face. "Apologies, my heart. I do not know what is going through me this day."
"It's okay. Maybe you're on edge, too." I touch his arm, my fingers lingering on his sleeve. Our eyes meet and we share a small smile.
"You are both fools," Drenol says suddenly.
I turn to look at the elder. "Excuse me?"
"Both of you. Fools." He shakes his head. "The boy will stay with me tonight. You go find someplace private. Get it out of your systems."
And he shoos us like we're pesky flies. What the heck.
I'm just about to tell him that he's being hateful and rude, when thunder ripples through the valley. I eye the skies overhead, but then I hear the thunder again. And again. It takes me a moment to realize that it's coming from within me instead of from above. With wonder, I look over at Salukh.
My gorgeous, wonderful, even-tempered, patient Salukh.
Who is not even-tempered or patient today. Just like I've been restless all day.
I laugh aloud. Maybe we are fools.
CHAPTER
FOURTEEN
TIFFANY
Salukh stares at me with a puzzled expression as I grab his hand and pull him away from the game field. "Where are we going?"
"Away. Somewhere private. Were you not listening to Drenol?" I laugh with delight, the roaring in my ears not letting up. Resonance pounds in my head, my pulse and the thrumming as loud as any drum. It's been so very long. I've been told that some couples only resonate once. And I've truly been fine with that. I don't need a dozen children at my knee to be content with my life, like Josie always says she wants. Lukti is the best child, and I adore Salukh with every fiber of my being. I could not ask for more.