Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 119846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
“Gods! Is she all right?” Bright was panting and his face was red. It was pretty clear he was in the same situation Burn was.
“I think she just fainted—probably from the overload,” Burn growled, cradling her to his chest. “She’ll be okay in a minute—just give her some time.”
He looked down at Noelle anxiously. Her cheeks were flushed and her chest was rising and falling rapidly. Her eyes were still closed.
She looked fucking gorgeous, he couldn’t help thinking—with her wide hips and big breasts and thick thighs, all draped in the beautiful red dress that wrapped around her body like the wrapping paper the humans used to conceal gifts. They had learned about that a few days ago when Noelle had taught them all how to wrap a present.
She’s not your fucking present—she’s a gorgeous mature Elite who would never be interested in you and Bright, he told himself sternly. Neither of you can ever hope to Bond a female to you—not alone and especially not together, since you don’t have a real Twin-Bond.
But his best friend seemed to have other ideas. Now that he was sure Noelle was still breathing and didn’t appear to be in distress, he looked up at Burn excitedly.
“Did you feel that? Did you feel it?” he exclaimed. “I mean, you came in your leathers, right? Just like I did. And I’m pretty sure Noelle came too!”
“Yeah, so?” Burn demanded.
“Don’t you see?” Bright was practically vibrating with excitement. “It’s the prophecy—the one the old blind Seer gave us back on Therim Five! Don’t you remember?” he demanded. “She said we would find a third—a woman who could help us bond as Twins instead of just friends! And that pleasure would guide the way. I don’t know about you, Burn, but that kiss…” he shook his head. “I’ve never felt anything like it. Noelle has to be the one.”
“You’re fucked up in the head,” Burn growled. “I don’t care what that old Seer said—there’s nobody and nothing that can form a Twin-Bond between two males who aren’t even related.”
He knew how badly Bright wanted a brother and a Twin-Bond and he wished he could be the male that fulfilled those wishes for his friend. But he didn’t believe it could really happen. Not that he could get through to the other male.
“You have to believe,” Bright told him earnestly. “You have to have faith, Burn.”
Burn only grunted. He didn’t have faith in much of anything—and he didn’t share his best friend’s bright and shiny worldview. Bright had been raised by two loving parents that kept him safe as a child. Burn hadn’t had that safety and security—well, he he’d had it but only until he was twelve. After that…
But he didn’t want to remember what had happened after that.
“Stop talking foolishness and come on,” he said to Bright. “We need to take Noelle to the Med Center—she fucking fainted.”
Even as he spoke, however, Noelle stirred in his arms and moaned softly.
“She’s all right,” Bright said. “Look, our suite isn’t far from here at all. Let’s bring her there and we can talk to her when she wakes up.” He made a face. “And both of us can change our trousers.”
Burn had to agree that would be good—Kindred males always made a lot of seed and his undergarments felt fucking sticky and uncomfortable right about now.
“All right,” he growled. “But don’t scare her with your wild talk.”
“I won’t scare her—I’m just going to ask her,” Bright told him. “Come on—hurry.”
And he led the way out of the classroom, while Burn followed, still cradling Noelle in his arms.
3
BRIGHT
Bright couldn’t understand why his best friend was so reluctant to believe in the prophecy they’d received back on Therim Five. The Seer who had given it to them was well known as a wise-woman and one who was touched by the Goddess. She’d even displayed the green-on-green eyes and had green streaks in her long gray hair, just like the Priestesses who lived in the Sacred Grove.
Neither of them had been looking for any kind of wisdom or seeking a reading of their future on the day of the prophecy. They’d simply been in the remote mountain village on a distant planet, doing a job. It had been a little after noon and he and Burn were going to find something to eat for their Midday meal when she’d walked right up to them on the street and taken Bright by the hand.
“Excuse me, old Mother,” he’d said politely. “Do you need some help?”
She’d shaken her head, her blind eyes staring over his shoulder.
“No—it is I who must help you,” she’d said in a surprisingly strong voice. “For I know what you seek.” Her other hand—gnarled with age—had shot out and grabbed Burn, who was standing beside him. “I know what both of you seek!”