Page 78 of Bride of Choice

“Why am I hearing a big assed butt in there?” I demanded to know.

Bia laughed, like he just couldn’t help himself, amused in the face of my fit of pique instead of annoyed, mad, or any of the other kajillion things he could have been in reaction. “I forget how much you’re like my Mina,” he said on a chuckle.

“Yes, very amusing, thank you, moving on,” I muttered quickly, to his further amusement. “The message?” I asked, impatiently waiting for him to get ahold of himself as he grinned down at me like a sweet faced, chortling idiot.

Eh, I could see why Mina liked him. The guy was a sweet pea and easily amused by snippy women.

“Right. The message. Khri and a few others went to join your, uh, Kooky on his hunt. They found yukti tracks-”

“He’s not my Kooky,” I mutteringly replied. I highly doubted Kookypants would appreciate a rumor like that going around. He might suddenly become too busy to hang out with me. Then I’d shrivel up and die and it would be sad, so very sad, but anyway!

“Of course,” Bia said quickly, yet the freak smiled too widely for someone in complete agreement with my statement.

“Carry on,” I huffed bossily, waving for him to get on with it. I’d admit I was nervous and the ‘tude was peeking. That “of course” from him wasn’t really helping things any.

“Long story short, they’re going to follow the herd’s tracks. It’ll take a bit. Mama offered to put you up at their place but Doogie’s lost his marbles and took over the guest room, insisting if they let you stay the night you’d never leave.” Shaking his head, Bia let out a low whistle.

“Your brother has issues.” It took everything in me not to outright grin evilly. Paranoid much, Dougie boy? “He needs a girlfriend,” I added.

“Tell me about it,” Bia muttered. “He spends more time holed up drawing than anything else. He’d forget to eat if Mama didn’t remind him. I think she doesn’t push him too hard to leave because she’s secretly afraid he can’t make it on his own. Can you believe he’s older than me?” The male let out a deep breath, the air he let out puffing out in a little white cloud, it was that freeze your nipples off cold out right now.

“Thinks he’s the favorite but it’s actually that everyone’s worried he’ll forever be a lost boy? A tale as old as time.” My soft, sarcastic tsking was cut off when he blurted excitedly, “I know of the lost boys. Mama told us that story when we were little.”

Stuffing my hands into my pockets, I rocked on my heels. “Did it keep you from being a dummy?”

A smirk tipped the male’s lips. “Right up until I found my mate. There was no helping the stupid I got up to after I laid eyes on my Mina.”

Awww. And a little bit, Shut up, that’s too cute for words and my brain just can’t handle it.

“So…” Ignoring the dreamy look that stole over his face at the mention of his ladylove, I thought I might need to be the one to get this ball rolling. “Do I need a ride home or…?”

“Oh. No. Your- Erm- It was thought better if you stayed within the village, safer and you won’t be all alone. Baby can stay at Mama’s, and I offered my old place up. You could use it at times like this, you know, when you two come into town, if you need it, or whatever.”

“Oh. Wow. Thanks.” I didn’t know what to say. It was really nice of him.

“Haven’t been there in a bit but Mama said she’d pop in and check to see everything was ready to go for a guest.” Nodding, he rocked on his heels for a minute, crossing his arms over his chest. Was he waiting for something from me…?

“Is there… something else?” My gaze darted from the nervous rocking back and forth and the shuttered expression on his face, the way he tensed after crossing his arms.

“Are you alright, out there all alone with my uncle?” he blurted, looking uneasy.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” My hand lifted and I waved it about airily. “I was the one that talked Kooky into staying with me in the first place,” I admitted, hoping that eased whatever concerns he had. “He’s been a perfect gentleman.”

Bia blinked, gaze catching on my bracelet as it jingled along with me. It was a lovely soothing sound, and this guy kinda reminded me of a nervous, easily distracted house cat hanging around me.

“It’s really cool of your Uncle Celuk to let us stay there like that,” I added.

Bia frowned, staring down at me with a funny look.

Maybe it’s been a long day for him. “Me and Kooky,” I elaborated.

Bia blinked. “Oh. Yes. Right. Sorry.” Shaking his head, his expression cleared and he got this ah-hah look on his face. He was kinda small compared to most Lo denaii. Maybe he didn’t get enough nutrient rich foods or something or needed to find himself a Lo denaii version of a multivitamin. It may also be affecting his brain.

“You okay? You look like me getting off of coffee,” I murmured lightly. Pausing for a moment, wondering just how much he did or didn’t know, I asked cryptically, “Have there been, uhm, any creature sightings lately?”

“Creature sightings?” he sputtered incredulously. “You aren’t, uh, actively looking for any, are you?”

“What? No!” And there was my answer. A part of me silently asked, What kinda crazy, exactly, was he under the impression I was embracing? “I was warned not to wander off on my own.” A shudder wracked me. “There are too many creepy things chilling in the woods, waiting to snatch a human up.”

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