Page 49 of Einar

“Murgulis the only one slightly slimmer and you know there is no getting him in a suit.”

WithoutwarningIhearRubychime in, “I’lldo it.”

MyshoutedNOis simultaneous withSlavic’semphaticNO!

“Why?Ifit the size requirement andI’mpretty handy to have around when it comes to tools.Justshow me whatIneed to do and help me do it.”

Ofcourse, my sister would volunteer for this.Onceshe’s made a decision,Rubyis all in.Whetheryou like it or not sometimes.

“No, we will fight them if need be.”

“Slavic, you’re just being dumb right now.Canyou give me a good reason as to whyIcan’t be the one to do this?”

“Isaid no.”

Oof.Thatis not the response you should have gone with…

“Okbuddy, you’re going to learn really fast that shit like that doesn’t work with me, so we’re going to nip that in the bud right now.Doyou guys have any other options or objections?”

Slavicroars in fury atRuby’ssassy response.BeforeIcan stop him,Einarreaches up and switches the sound off.

“Hey!Turnthat back on,Ineed to know what’s going on!”

Insteadof frowning at me for my sharp tone,Einarsmiles instead. “Listeningany further will just upset you.Weboth know that your sister has made her mind up and will not be swayed.Iwill make sure you can see her the entire time she is helpingSlavic, butIam sure you have more questions for me?”

ChapterThirty-One

EINAR

Rowan’sfrowningface is adorable.NotthatIam stupid enough to make such a comment aloud.Thatshe feels safe enough to express any sort of negative emotion is telling.Shemay not trust me consciously but the heartbond is working on her at a subconscious level, letting her know thatItruly mean her no harm.

Shehuffs and folds her arms across her chest as she glares at the screen in front of us.Stiflingmy laughter,Icheck the screens just in time to seeSlavicpull a flush facedRubyfrom the helm room toward the maintenance air lock.Whenhe starts pulling suits from the nook where they are kept,Iknow what is going to happen next soIavert my eyes.

“Unlessyou wish to get a full visual of my oldest brother in the nude,Isuggest you avert your eyes for some time.”

Rowansqueals, spins on my medical stool, and covers her eyes all at the same time.

“Eww, gross!He’sbasically my brother now,Ido not wish to see his dick!”

Herwords catch me off guard with how formal they are compared to howRubyspeaks, which in turn, sparks my insatiable curiosity. “LittleRowan,Ihave a question, if you would permit me?”

“Uhm…alright.”

“Whyis it that you speak so differently fromRuby?Iknow you are sisters and normally siblings raised in the same dwelling have the same syntax when they speak.”

Myquestion makes her face fall, and the brief moment of levity disappears as if it never happened.Concernfills me that so simple a question could cause such a reaction.

“Robert… the manImarried onEarth, was a high-ranking politician where we lived.I’venever been sure why he picked me out of all the women he had to choose from, but unfortunately for me, he did.WhenImet him,Isounded just likeRuby.However, after we were formally engaged, he started in on howIwould embarrass him at his functions becauseIsounded like a ‘backwoods hillbilly,’ so he forced me to take formal etiquette lessons untilIsounded as polished as any upper-class lady.AnytimeIslipped up the repercussions were… unpleasant, so now it’s habit to speak the wayIdo.I’mnot sureIcould revert back to speaking the wayRubydoes even ifIwanted to.”

Herexplanation makes her so forlorn that it sends a pang through our heartbond, butIrefuse to rub my chest.Sheis far too perceptive, and it would only cause her more misplaced guilt, but it does provide me with an opening to tell her a little about myself.

“Iwas not abused by a mate, butIdo understand being forced to do things against ones will.Ifyou wish to listen,Iwill tell you whyIam different from my brothers.”

Relieffills me when she nods her agreement, and drops her hands from her face, looking up at me expectantly.Glancingback at the screen,Iget a glimpse of pale flesh beforeIjerk away with a shudder.Rowanmust have seen whatIdid because she snickers at my expense.

“Didyou see something you can’t unsee?”

“Almost, little one.Itwas very close.”

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