Total pages in book: 175
Estimated words: 166095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 830(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 166095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 830(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
Once I’m dressed, I hunt down Dora. Even though she’s sleeping in my bed (which is probably a bad idea, but I don’t mind it) she’s keeping the holding cell established as “her” space. For some reason, that irks me even though it shouldn’t. The less clingy she is, the better…even if I kinda like her clinginess.
Kef me, I must be really lonely. I scrub the thought away and swagger into the holding cell, a bright smile on my face. “How do we feel about visiting the station together, fluffit?”
She gives me a surly look, obviously still upset about the little joke I played on her on the bridge. “Do I have a choice?”
“Honestly? Not really. This trip is for you. We’re getting you kitted out so you need to come with me.” I gesture at the door. “Hop to it.”
“Kitted out?” Dora looks worried. “How so?”
“Well, for starters, you’re far too pretty and far too human. We’ll need to get you a holo-mask that will disguise your features so you’re able to travel without any rogues trying to snatch you.”
“You…think I’m pretty?”
My brow heats and I rub the base of one of my horns. I pick up her clean change of clothing, trying to decide if it’s going to call attention to her on the station or if I should be completely obvious and swaddle her in an oversized cloak like Mathiras did with Helen. “Focus, fluffit. Now, I can’t hide that you’re human—yet—so we need a good cover story. Are you going to be upset if you have to wear a collar?”
When she doesn’t answer, I glance over at her.
Dora’s biting her lip, giving me a soft, bashful look. She tucks a yellow strand of hair behind one tiny round ear. “Do you think all humans are pretty or just me?”
I am absolutely not answering that. Time to distract. “Just answer the question. Collar okay?”
She shrugs, touching her neck. “I don’t mind it as a disguise.”
“Okay, good. That makes things easier. Now if anyone asks, you’re a naughty, naughty runaway slave and I’m the one bringing you back.” At her startled look, I continue on, setting her other jumper back down on the bed. “It’s a private job, done under the table for an old friend, which is why it’s not an official bounty. They know I’ve got a soft spot for female humans and that’s why I was hired. Your master is going to pick you up on 3N and you’re absolutely pissing terrified of him and want to stay with me, so if you’re a little clingy it’s understandable. Got all that?”
Clearing her throat, Dora replies with, “You’ve got a soft spot for female humans and you like that I’m clingy. Is that true?”
Have I met the only keffing being in this universe more difficult than me? I frown at her. “Don’t get too excited. It’s called a cover story. Did you catch the rest of that or not?”
“I’m pretty, you’re distracted by my beauty, and you’re doing your best to hide your crush on me.” Dora’s eyes are positively sparkling with glee.
Cloak it is. Maybe I’ll get lucky and she’ll suffocate under it. “Let’s just go before I decide it’s reality and get rid of you after all.”
“You wouldn’t,” she declares, and she follows after me as I stride down the hall of the ship. “You wouldn’t have anyone to spoon you at night and you like it. I’ve heard the little noises you make in your sleep.”
I do not make noises in my sleep. Especially not happy ones. “Wrong again.”
She trots up behind me, choosing this annoying moment to be fearless and unafraid of me. “Can I hold your hand on the station?”
“Only if you want it chewed off,” I say cheerfully. Then I raise her hand to my lips and lick it, all while maintaining eye contact.
That makes the little fluffit pause. She blinks at me and then extracts her hand from mine. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re weird?”
“Never. Now, let’s get you a nice blinky collar so everyone can think you’re a runaway slave.” Holding hands, kef me. If I held hands with a human female in the midst of that den of thieves and scoundrels, they’d think I’d gone soft.
And Bethiah is many things, but she is definitely not soft. Weird, yes. Erratic, absolutely.
Soft? Never.
Nine
DORA
I touch the collar around my neck and try not to look too anxious as we head off the ship.
Did Bethiah want me to pretend to be scared? There’s no pretending necessary. I’m absolutely terrified right now. Three Nebulas is the same busy station I remember from before, and the moment the smell of sour air filters and damp heat hits my skin, it brings back a flood of memories. I’m no longer cocky and teasing and having fun. In a heartbeat, I’m a terrified, powerless human once more.