Page 48 of The Warrior
I pulled a thick sweater over my head. “Why?”
“Because you told her you were about to fight some random jerk who had talked trash about her. According to Laura, she had to guess half of what you said in your drunken state. She was convinced you wouldn’t be able to fight.”
“The guy was drunk too.”
“I know, I saw him.”
After putting on my socks, pants, and boots, I looked at Boulder. “Wait a minute. When did you talk to Laura?”
“She called Finn, who called me. That’s why Archer and I showed up and brought you back here.”
Running a hand through my shoulder-length hair, I gathered it on top in a messy bun. The sides were shaved short, and I loved the convenience of this hairdo.
“I’m hungry,” I said and reached for a tooth cleaner. The small rice-kernel-sized device began polishing and cleaning while I looked myself in the small mirror and groaned. My jaw was yellow and when I touched the skin it hurt.
“Laura is here.”
My hand froze mid-air and I slowly turned my head to look at Boulder. “What did you say?”
“Laura came early this morning. She’s up at the school.”
My blurry brain kicked into gear. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I just did.”
I flew out of the cabin with Boulder next to me. “Is she okay?”
“Laura is fine, she’s been waiting for you to wake up. We figured you needed time to sleep.”
My wristband told me it was half past ten in the morning, and I cursed softly. By now my Huntsmen would be wondering why they hadn’t heard from me.
“Did you tell Khan about my visit to the bar last night?”
“No.”
“Good, I’d rather he didn’t hear about it.”
“He told me about you two arguing yesterday. You shouldn’t have gone after Pearl like that.”
I spun around and grabbed Boulder’s jacket. “She’s manipulating him and he can’t see it.”
“You’re upset about the Council’s demand for her to be Khan’s co-ruler.” Boulder pushed me back in a gentle way. “I get that.”
“It’ll be over my dead body,” I swore.
He frowned. “Don’t fucking say that.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I’d rather die a free man than be tamed by a Momsie like Khan and you.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Boulder’s face scrunched up. “If anything, Christina makes me a better man.”
“Yeah, but you have to admit that Pearl is like a spider waiting to bite the head off her mate.”
“That’s crazy talk. The Pearl I know is kind, wise, and generous. Khan used to be unpredictable and moody. I’d say she’s been a good influence on him.”
“The woman is manipulative and dangerous,” I claimed. “You just wait until our people learn that the Council has Khan by his balls, making a woman our ruler.”
“I agree that most won’t like it at first, but these are times of change, and many welcome it.”
