Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
"You just healed it."
She points at the soft leather wrap. "And I put a bandage on it, and you don't want a wet bandage on a wound?"
"Why wouldn't I take the bandage off?"
She sighs and pulls the wrap off. "I'm sure you would. I'm just advising you, all right? It's my job to look after everyone's health. Do as you like. Be a stubborn goat."
He grunts and gets to his feet. "My thanks for the healing, even if it wasn't necessary. It was a small prick of the knife. Nothing, really." With one last glance at me, he turns and leaves.
Veronica just shakes her head.
I get to my feet. "You know what? I think I'll take a walk. Try out the new ankle."
"Oh good!" The healer seems pleased at this announcement. "Just walk carefully if you head down to the beach. Some of the rocks can turn an ankle. And no climbing. And don't stay out too long."
"Anything else?" It's on the tip of my tongue to comment something sarcastic, but this female has been very patient with my injury and tending to me. Even I know not to bite the hand of the healer.
She pauses, clasping her hands in front of her. "I think that's all. If it starts to hurt, come back. The khui helps things set very fast, but with two breaks in the same spot, your bones are weak."
"My bones are incredible," I inform her, insulted.
Her hands flutter to her forehead. "That's not what I meant...you know what? Never mind. Go walk. If anything falls off, I'll fix it."
When I get to my feet, I'm aching and sore all over, as if I've run for days instead of lying around on my tail for the last several. Everything hurts, but I would never admit this to anyone. I move slowly and adjust my gait so I don't show a limp and head out after Bek.
I want to talk to him. Find out more about how he is with his mate. Find out if it is common for human females to be utterly baffling to their males. Perhaps he will have advice for me. Kef knows I could use some. Every time I think I have an idea of what is going on, April proves me wrong.
I trail after Bek, following at a safe distance as he moves across the camp, and as I walk, I try to decide how to phrase my questions. Do I ask specifics? Or do I try a broader approach? I don't know him well enough to calculate this. Actually, I don't know anyone in the camp well enough to determine this. Perhaps Corvak.
Is this what April means when she says I need friends? People who will give me advice and not look at me as if I am a strange three-headed creature if I speak to them?
Does...this mean Corvak is my friend? Ugh.
I'm busy thinking about how irritating Corvak can be when he's in a stubborn mood (which is near constant) when Bek scowls over his shoulder. "What do you want?"
I ignore the twinges of pain in my leg and keep my steps even, catching up to him. "I wish to talk to you."
"Why." The word is flat and not entirely a question. His eyes are mistrustful slits as he glares at me.
"Because..." I struggle to find an answer that does not make me sound like a fool. "My female — my mate — is confusing. I don't know what to think."
Bek pauses, considering this. He stops in his tracks and I do too, my ankle giving an unpleasant twinge. "The other taters have no advice? They are your tribe."
"Are they?" I comment, wry. "Have you met them? Would you take advice from any of them?"
He snorts, his stance relaxing a bit. His arms cross over his chest. "They are a strange lot."
"I am sure they are fine fighters," I continue. "But we are males who have been kept separated from females all our lives. They are not going to be the ones I go to for advice on relationships." Even thinking about it now, I know it would be a disaster. Skarr would just go on and on about Vivi and how incredible she is and that females use mind control. Kyth would stare at me as if that is somehow an answer. Jason would be annoying and overfriendly.
And I will die before I ask Chalath for advice on anything. He thinks he knows everything already.
Bek rubs his chin, considering my words. "I do not know if I am the best when it comes to advice, but I will share what I know. What is the problem?"
"I do not understand the rules," I blurt, frustrated. "I am trying to do everything I can to please April, and yet the more I do, the less happy she is."