Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 138217 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138217 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
“Tell me about yourself, Theo,” Babushka Quyen said, and it was no demand but rather genuine interest. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
Theo’s heart fluttered. Being able to acknowledge her relationship with Pax would never be something she took for granted. “A brother,” she said, as Yakov spoke to his grandfather, the deep timbre of their voices beautiful background music. “A twin.”
His grandmother’s pupils flared. “Oh, that mischief bear,” she said, glancing at Yakov. “He never once mentioned that.”
Theo wondered when Yakov would’ve had time to talk to his family about her at all, but she took the words at face value. And she decided to speak the rest of her hidden truth. “We weren’t allowed to grow up as twins, were separated at seven years of age.” A grief that would live forever in her, but that had been tempered by her new bond with Pax even as Scarab Syndrome raised its lethal head.
Though the pain of the reminder squeezed her chest, she tried to focus on the good. “We’ve found each other as adults, though, and we’ve become a family.” Odd to say that surrounded by such a loud and boisterous one, but for her and Pax, their quiet loyalty to each other was family, too.
She knew at that instant that she wanted to introduce her brother to Yakov, to show Yakov her family as he’d shown her his. It mattered to her that the two most important men in her life connect . . . that they like each other.
Babushka Quyen made no effort to hide her anger on Theo’s behalf, her face set in grim lines. When she reached out a fine-boned hand toward Theo’s, Theo turned hers palm up in silent welcome.
The older woman’s grip was tight, her shoulders set. “I can’t believe anyone would do that to any siblings, much less twins.” She nodded at Pavel and Yakov. “Our two mischief bears have always been peas in a pod. Very much their own individual people right from day one, but their bond as brothers? It’s extraordinary.”
“I feel it anytime they’re together,” Theo said. “As I feel the embers of it glowing between Pax and me.” It was so easy to talk to this gentle nonjudgmental woman that she added, “I want my brother and Yasha to meet. I’m not sure how it’ll go, however. Pax can be protective.”
“That’s a good sign in a brother. As long as he’s not overbearing.” Babushka Quyen patted at their clasped hands with her other one, her touch warm and full of love. “Though I think you’re plenty strong enough to take on even such a brother.”
The elder’s gaze went to her mate, her expression soft. “My love adored his mama, you know, so it’s a great compliment for him to compare you to her. I wanted you to know that.”
She squeezed Theo’s hand. “Spine like iron, my mother-in-law. I thought for sure that she’d hate me on sight. I’m her opposite, you see. Soft and born wanting to please. But I should’ve known that the woman who’d raised my Vitüsha had a generous heart.
“She told me that all she’d ever wanted for her son was that his mate love him as deeply as she knew he’d love them. And that there wasn’t a single doubt in her mind on that point where I was concerned.” Another gentle pat of their clasped hands as Babushka Quyen turned her lovely eyes on Theo once more. “That’s all we want for our grandcubs, too. Just love our Yashka, Theo.”
A thousand cracks across Theo’s heart, the organ fracturing under the pressure of her primal, potent emotions for Yakov. She knew she couldn’t set those emotions free. She wasn’t normal. Would never be normal. It wasn’t that she had a surface scar. The damage was in her brain. The rages could strike at any moment, destroying everyone in her path.
Including this rambunctious and loving family that was Yakov’s heartbeat.
* * *
* * *
YAKOV came home from the dinner happily buzzed. He could tell that, no matter their reservations, his family liked Theo. That display of steel against his grandfather had a lot to do with it—but it wasn’t the entirety.
While his dedushka might be the louder one, his babushka’s voice held equal weight, and she’d made it clear that she’d found a kindred spirit in Theo. “This family needs another tranquil member,” she’d said at one point. “Arlushinka, Theochka, and I plan to kick the rest of you heathens out once a month and sit in a nice quiet salon over a cup of tea or coffee.”
Everyone had laughed, with his mother protesting that she could be quiet, too. His babushka had rolled her eyes. “Cub of mine, if you can sit still for five minutes without twitching, I’ll eat my plate, the knife, even the fork. With hot sauce.”