Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 141492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Petru stepped slightly in front of her, helping to keep her family from seeing the shaking she couldn’t quite control.
“And you, Yelli,” Amastan asked, his voice very gentle. “Do you believe you are Petru’s wife? That you belong with him?”
Had he not tacked on the last sentence, Safia could have easily answered honestly. She moistened her lips and looked up at Petru. Her hand would have been crushing his if he hadn’t been so strong. As it was, her knuckles were white. His thumb began to glide back and forth over the back of her hand soothingly.
“Yes, Jeddi. There is no question anymore in my mind that I am his lifemate.” She left it at that.
“We have many issues to work out,” Petru said. “Safia has raised questions she deserves answers to. I wish to take her somewhere private where we will not be interrupted. I want her to feel free to ask me questions without reservations. If she has objections, she needs to be able to voice them without feeling as if she is betraying our union. We can only accomplish that if we’re alone.”
“Forgive me, Petru,” Gwafa said. “I know she is your wife, but we have little knowledge of you, and Safia is very beloved. These circumstances are highly unusual.”
“You worry for her safety.”
Safia was relieved that Petru didn’t force her father to have to state his concern. That would have been an insult to the Carpathian, and they couldn’t afford to keep offending him. She was very sure when they talked together, she was going to be doing enough of that for her entire family.
“I can only give you my word of honor that she will be safe with me, and I will return with her tomorrow evening. In the meantime, to keep your farm and family safe, the brethren will weave safeguards against demons and vampires.”
“Do you think it wise for the two of you to go off alone with vampires and demons coming out at night?” Amastan inquired. “We can provide complete privacy for you here on the farm. We have guest quarters. Two of them are a distance from the main house.”
Safia tried not to give a sigh of relief. That was the perfect answer. Trust her grandfather to think of it. That was why he was their leader. He was wise and diplomatic. He was well aware she was uncomfortable and not at all sure of the situation.
Petru gave her family a slight bow. “I thank you for the offer but must decline the invitation. We will take our leave now but will return tomorrow eve.”
The pressure on her to move left her with no choice but to lead the way toward the heavy front door. It appeared as if she were taking the initiative when it was Petru. Amastan and Gwafa trailed after them, her father not bothering to hide his anxiety.
Izem had both hands on his hips as he strode right outside as if he might attempt to stop them. Petru ignored them, swept Safia into his arms and took to the sky, preventing any interference if that had been her brother’s intention.
Safia pressed her lips together to keep from voicing a protest, wrapped her arms around Petru’s neck and buried her face against his shoulder. She didn’t want to see the family farm fading into the distance.
How did you discover the brethren were close to you?
Safia remained silent, clutching at his shoulders. The tips of her fingers touched his thick, silvery hair. It felt like silk to her. She had the unexpected urge to bury her fingers in it.
Safia? When I ask you a question, I expect an answer.
She sighed. I don’t think it best to discuss this while we’re this high in the air.
Why not? No one is around, and you can voice your objections in any way you desire.
That’s just the problem. Every time I think of you sending those three to spy on us, it makes me so angry I’d like to show you just how my grandmother used to tweak our ears if she didn’t like something we did.
Tweak your ears? he echoed. I have never heard of this. Is this some kind of medieval torture? I thought I knew of them all.
Yes. She proceeded to show him, twisting his earlobe with a bit more enthusiasm than her grandmother had ever used.
He burst out laughing. I must try that on a vampire, although his ear would most likely fall off. They rot from the inside out, and body parts tend to come loose in an alarming fashion.
She couldn’t help but laugh with him. He had an atrocious sense of humor. Aura was the only one she could secretly laugh with over outrageous things that would shock her family if they knew she said or did them. The thought of Aura sobered her. She’d been hurt needlessly.