She turns to me, a tight frown on her lips.
“If you can respect me, like I deserve, I will try to be more patient with you.”
I nod, feeling like a small boy being scolded by a schoolmarm. “I promise.”
“Samesies,” she huffs.
“So, more freedom?”
“It would be appreciated,” Marta says curtly.
“Dinner, in the dining hall?” I feel like I’m negotiating some off-world treaty. But Marta’s frustration is still palpable.
“I would like that.” She pauses. “But how are we going to avoid the giant dome of water that will send me into a panic attack?”
“Oh, um…If we take the stairs down to the chapel, there’s a service hallway we could use. It has back entrances to the kitchen and dining hall.”
“How many secret tunnels are in this place?” Her eyebrows arch.
“A lot. Would you like that?”
“Yes, it’s a start.”
Nubbins whines, breaking the tension between us.
“I think this wittle guy is hungy.” She speaks to the little beast like it’s a baby. “What does a kahne’ah eat?”
“I’ll have Jens’i bring his belongings up today. I believe his nutrient kibble is among them. Why don’t you go get dressed, and then you can take him to swim down in the chapel—I’ll inform the staff of your new freedom.”
“I can go there by myself?”
“Isn’t that what we just agreed on?” There’s an edge to my tone I can’t control. Doesn’t she see it’s already hard for me to let her out of my sight?
“Okay, okay, don’t get testy…I’m just checking.”
But the thought of Marta struggling in one of the pools of water sends a jolt to my stomach.
“Just stay out of the water…We have more swimming lessons before you’re allowed in by yourself,” I tack on.
“Yeah, yeah,” she waves her hand as she shrugs on the slip she wore yesterday. Our clothing is still piled from where I threw it on the ground last night. “Wasn’t planning on taking a dip, anyway.” I pull out my data pad and order something small to make me feel better about Marta being without me near the water.
She’s slipping through the door and down the stairs before she even stops talking to me. Nubbins bounds in front of her, excited for his swim.
I’m already trying to figure out how to keep the estate staff from seeing her as Marta’s world inside my home expands. Jens’i will handle it, we can handle this.
I already feel my grip on my mate slipping, and it terrifies me.
CHAPTER25
?TUCKED IN?
?MARTA?
The crackedbathroom door remains ajar, a sliver of light filtering through as steam lingers in the air from my recent shower. It makes little sense for me to close it. What’s the point of modesty when the big gray alien in the other room has eaten me out?
I squeeze the water from my hair, the droplets cascading down and beading up on the nonabsorbent fabric. I’m swathed in yet another of Raf’ere’s enormous robes. As always, the clothing here tents over me.
Amidst what would normally be silence in the duke’s chambers, I catch the hushed whispers of Raf’ere’s voice. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I cautiously peer through the crack, the soft blue glow of my alien lava lamp casting an ethereal aura. There, I see the duke on his knees, facing the armchair that Nubbins has taken a liking to. I catch the imposing and scarred alien offering some kind of treat to the small creature.
