Read Online Rystani Warrior 02 - The Dare by Susan Kearney - Free Book Online Page A

interacted with them for years. But not until she and Tessa had become friends had anyone bothered to explain the subtleties and nuances that confused her. Although Tessa hadn’t answered her question about why Dora’s nudity would bother her if Kahn were around, she knew jealousy was not a factor. Tessa didn’t think that way. Besides, Tessa knew Zical was the man who fascinated Dora. However, dressing up was kind of fun, and she concentrated on the shoes.
    “Compliance.” Dora took a step forward. Her knee buckled and she compensated by stiffening her suit. “Tell me what to taste first.”
    Tessa had reached out to steady her, saw that her effort wasn’t required, but frowned. “Maybe we should have a medical doctor check you over.”
    Dora’s stomach rumbled, the sensation odd but not necessarily unpleasant. “Perhaps my muscles are just reacting to my excitement. I’d like to eat first. Please?”
    “Okay. Are you feeling claustrophobic anymore?”
    “Tessa, I’ve been waiting three hundred years to taste food. Please. I’m fine. Just hungry. The walls are finally staying right where they are supposed to be.”
    Tessa laughed, her first real laugh since Dora’s transfer. Her entire face lit up, and her concern disappeared. Dora was lucky to have a friend to worry over her, but the enticing aroma of hot bread made thinking difficult. She’d never fully comprehended why humans let their stomachs rule so much of their lives. They planned their day around meals. Celebrations, weddings, deaths—all were accompanied by eating. Now she could take part.
    She had yet to put a morsel into her mouth, but the smell of the bread, the dark crusts with steam rising—ah—the cravings made her mouth water. She had to restrain herself from snatching the bread, stuffing it into her mouth, and gobbling as if she were starving.
    Stars. She’d never guessed she would be this eager to do such an ordinary task as filling her mouth. If she had urges as strong around men … oh my … what had she done? With the human drive to mate almost as strong as the need to eat, she would have to refrain from attacking Zical the moment she saw him.
    Tessa sliced the bread, slathered it with honey butter, and handed it to Dora. “What has you thinking so hard?”
    “I’m trying not to drool.” Dora carefully placed the slice of bread between her parted lips, allowed her teeth to sink into the crust. “Oh … my.” The sweet taste of the honey butter drizzled over her tongue. “This is … heaven.”
    Tessa took one look at what must have been Dora’s blissful expression and grinned. “It’s a good thing you gave yourself a fast metabolism so you could pig out, even if it isn’t as efficient.”
    “Efficiency isn’t everything. I’m human now.”
    “Yes, you are. More?”
    She tried a bit of fried yicken , a tasty meat. “Remind me to thank Miri.”
    Tessa busily laid out the rest of the repast. “Not all food tastes as good as Miri’s. Try a little of everything and don’t eat too much or your tummy will ache later.”
    Easy for her to say. She’d been eating all her life. Dora hadn’t comprehended that aroma and texture were so much a part of taste. She discovered she loved crunchy sour pickles but didn’t find the soft sweet ones pleasing. Crisp vegetables, cheese potatoes, and rye bread were her favorites. However, she tasted everything, even Tessa’s coffee, which she spat back into the cup with what she hoped was a scowl. “This must have gone bad, although the smell is wonderful.”
    “The coffee’s perfect.” Tessa sipped happily from her over-sized cup. “The jolt of caffeine is just what I needed.”
    “But it’s so bitter.”
    “An acquired taste.”
    Sharing hot drinks, alcohol, and food was so much a part of the family ritual that Dora vowed to acquire a taste for coffee. She envisioned many shared meals with Tessa, the two of them lingering over steaming cups while they had interesting