“The guards.” He clutches his chest. “They’ve detained Tri'ot. I don’t know how she was able to gain access to the estate…” His eyes see the shaking Marta in my arms. “Oh goddess…”
“She’s alright,” I tell him. “Make sure the estate is secure. I’ve given her medicine, call for a medic.”
I push past the butler and sit on the bed. Jens’i runs as fast as his elderly legs can carry him out the door.
I grab the blanket and wrap both our bodies inside it, rubbing my hands down her biceps in an attempt to warm her.
“I drowned—”
“And you didn’t die, and you’re here in my arms.”
“I…”
“Why did you do that?” I can’t control the fear in my voice. “Why would you leave me?”
“You…you lied to me, about the other humans.” Marta’s body still shakes, but her skin starts to warm. “You kept me locked up here because you’re ashamed of me,” she says hoarsely.
My stomach drops.
“What do you mean?” Now my voice is shaking.
“Tri'ot told me, she told me everything. Just let me go and I’ll disappear. Take me to be with my people at the palace, and I won’t be your shame to hide.” Marta asks me to let her go, but the misting in her eyes betrays her confident tone.
“I..I…” I don’t know what to say.
Instead of talking, I pull her lips to mine and try to let my kiss explain everything.
She balks at first, but as I hold her tight, she eases herself deeper into our embrace. Her tongue darts out, and we explore the feeling of each other’s mouths.
The warmth between us turns into searing heat. Our hands dance wildly over each other’s skin as we search for anything to hold on to and ground us in this moment.
I pull back, and Marta gazes up at me expectantly.
“You can’t listen to Tri'ot! She’s a social climbing parasite. She’d say anything to obtain me. I’m nothing more than a trophy she can add to her case. She tried to kill you, Marta! She knew that you’d get lost in the tunnels and die!” I kiss her again, hard. I can’t control myself anymore.
She pushes back, her hands on my chest—like she wants to stay angry with me, like she can’t shake the lies Tri'ot told her.
“I’m sorry,” is all I can get out. I press my lips to her again, unable to find the words. “Why did you leave Nubbins?” I ask, knowing she loves that little beast.
“I knew he’d be fine with you–I left you a note!”
“I couldn’t read it,” I say as I kiss her face all over.
“You’re illiterate?” Marta’s mouth drops open, and she brings a hand to my cheek. “Why didn’t you tell me that? I could have taught you to read!” The sympathy in her voice makes me laugh, even though I know my timing is rough.
“F’tee, Marta, I can read—just not your strange alien language.”
“Oh”—her eyebrows shoot up—“of course you can read…”
“You have to promise me you’ll never put yourself in that kind of danger again.” I brush my thumb over her swollen lips.
“Promise me you’ll stop lying.” She stares into my soul as she makes her demands.
“I swear it.”
This time, Marta leans into me and initiates the kiss. I pull back, unsure if it’s safe to continue.
“Marta, you nearly drowned—are you sure this is okay? That I’m not hurting you more?” My voice shakes as I press my hips against hers.
