Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 121924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
“I’ll walk you to the stables,” Jelani declared. “I still don’t trust the other candidates not to do something stupid.”
Though I highly doubted anyone would choose to do anything right this moment, I didn’t turn down the offer. It wouldn’t be good to become complacent. “Okay. Thank you.”
We both began a slow walk to the stables, edging through the crowds of people. I didn’t mean for my gaze to cut to Talon—it just happened. His eyes were bouncing from me to Jelani. Eyes that narrowed almost … dangerously.
Too tired to ponder on it, I looked away.
Jelani nudged me with his elbow as we past the courtyard. “So, how did today’s test rank in terms of worst test ever?”
“The highest it could possibly have ranked,” I muttered.
Using only stepping stones, we’d each had to reach a golden egg. Stones that were in the sky, well above the river within the city walls. And yes, some people fell. I had almost been one of them, having not quite timed a particular jump right. But I’d managed to catch my balance and then finally reached the egg, which I’d had to carry back with me. If a candidate dropped the egg, they failed the test.
Really, the purpose of making you carry something so smooth that had no handles was simple: It meant that you couldn’t use your arms for balance.
The result of failing the test, whether by falling into the river or dropping the egg? You repeated the test. And you kept on repeating it until you passed or you cried foul.
The reward of passing? There was none. Except that it was over. But that truly had felt like a reward, because the whole thing had been horrible.
I generally had no issue with heights. But standing so high in the air on stones that were only wide enough to fit your feet on? Yeah, that could make a person feel dizzy and anxious.
Pushing the memories aside, I spared Jelani a glance. “So, when are you going to stop pretending that you don’t want Layna so badly it’s driving you nuts?”
His step faltered, and he let out a heavy breath. “I hear enough of this from Quillen and Soule.”
“They don’t like seeing you hold back. And why would you? As Khalida likes to point out, a lot of danger comes with being an officiate. At the risk of sounding morbid … you don’t know that you definitely have the time you seem to think you should take before you act on what you want.”
He flicked me a sideways look, his expression pensive. “I’m thinking I should feel hurt that you’re pushing me toward another woman.”
I smiled. “You and I do not want the same things. But we’re friends, right? Friends give advice to each other.”
“And meddle in their business?”
“And meddle in their business.”
His mouth curved. “Yeah, friends for sure.”
I gave a satisfied nod. “Now stop being a coward and go after Layna.”
“Hey, I’m no coward.”
“Prove it,” I dared.
Halting as we reached the stables, he shot me a frown of mock annoyance. “Good night. I’ll see you tomorrow at some point.”
“Good night.” We parted ways as I headed inside. Walking down the aisle, I slowed my pace as particular sounds reached me. Sounds coming from the feed room up ahead.
Moans. Grunts. Flesh smacking flesh. Voices begging or urging someone on.
I knew those voices. They belonged to the stable hands. Feeling my lips curve, I shook my head. It had seemed inevitable that they’d end up pouncing on each other eventually—I’d caught them exchanging many heated looks.
I continued down the aisle and walked into the tack room. There, I stopped, my mouth dropping open in surprise. A Laelap pup was hanging from leather reins, busy chewing on them while letting out the most adorable growl.
I put my hands on my hips. “I don’t think you’re supposed to be in here.”
At the sound of my voice, it released the reins and ungracefully dropped to its butt. It tilted its head, its tongue lolling out.
“Oh, you’re just the cutest thing.” My system melted. Simply melted. “Come on, let’s get you back to your den.”
Hoping it wouldn’t decide to sink its little teeth into me, I carefully scooped up the pup. A pup I then realized was a ‘he.’ He started licking my face and sniffing me.
I smiled. “I’d keep you if your Alphas wouldn’t eat me alive.” I walked to the opposite end of the aisle, pausing a mere step before the entrance of the barn. “If I get bitten by any of your pack for touching you, I will totally hold you responsible.”
I crouched down and placed him on the floor. He didn’t pad into the barn, though. He tried leaping onto my lap. “I’m sorry, you can’t stay with me.”
He barked, his tail wagging. And then there was a rustle inside the barn. The sound of claws clicking against wood became louder and louder. A huge-ass Laelap that was only slightly shorter than Chief appeared. I was guessing she was the Alpha female.