The sunlight beamed on Ancelin’s face, gently rousing her from a sleep that was far from refreshing.Her slumber was dreamless, aided by medication, leaving her head feeling cloudy.Judging by the sun's position, it seemed later than she anticipated—she must have slept past noon.Ancelin got up and walked over to the window.Frost and ice blanketed the grass, plants, and trees.Despite the chill, it was a surprisingly pretty day.The colder season was swiftly approaching.Verrian, indeed, was quite unlike Earth.While certain elements reminded her of Earth, the weather was distinct, unlike what she knew from the Northern Region of America.The warm season was transitioning directly into the cold season with little warning.Ancelin showered, dressed, and headed downstairs.The absence of coffee aroma signaled the quietness of the house.
The coffee pot was cold, and Krevan was nowhere in sight.Ancelin checked the greenhouse, the doomed rooftop deck, office, and garage, but Krevan wasn’t inside.It appeared he had been gone for a while, yet all the vehicles remained in the garage.Ancelin felt a momentary panic."He can go about without checking in.He's probably outside feeding the animals and working.He can't wait for me to wake up to start his day," she reassured herself in the empty garage.Back in the kitchen, she set a pot of water to boil for tea.She observed that Krevan had already brought in all the items she had bought in Silos, putting away the groceries.
In the living room, she noticed the things she had purchased for Kellie arranged on the sofa.Wandering back to the office, she checked if Krevan had brought in the new stones and crystals she had bought.As expected, the stones and crystals were neatly placed on her desk, ready for her to work with.Seeing his Satphone, Ancelin decided to call Lena.
"Hello, Lena, it's Ancelin."
The Satphone crackled with Lena's voice, so loud Ancelin had to hold it away from her ear.
"Ancelin!"Lena's voice cracked."God, I've been—I've been sick with worry.I thought you were—" A shuddering breath."I thought I'd lost you too."
"My computer's been—"
"I found him."Lena's whisper cut through the static."Krevan Vallex."Each syllable trembled."He was convicted of murder, of his wife, Ancelin.He served time on Hellgate Prison.Did do you hear me?He killed his wife.”
Ancelin's throat closed as her stomach plummeted.Her fingers went numb around the Satphone."I appreciate your concern, but I'm perfectly—"
"You appreciate my concern?”Lena yelled.“He killed his wife and other inmates.So many.He’s a monster.The things they say he did to them—" Her voice dissolved into weeping."Please just get out of there.Now, or you’ll be next."
"I'll call you back soon, I swear."Ancelin wiped her forehead with her sleeve as sweat trickled down her spine.
"It's like you're chasing after trouble these days."Lena's voice cracked."Ever since what happened to your parents, you've been taking risks that make no sense.You’re acting foolish and ridiculous.Do you want to die?"
"Lena, I hear you.I'll call back later," Ancelin said, disconnecting before Lena could protest.The Satphone slipped in her damp palm as she set it down.Her pulse throbbed in her temples.Ancelin couldn’t stand hearing what she was saying.Lena always did this—treated her like some wayward child.Yes, boarding that transport to Verrian hadn't been her most calculated move.But when she looked at Krevan, she saw a good man.A man she loved.A man who had protected her.
Ancelin sat in Krevan's desk chair, spinning absentmindedly as she pondered her situation.She couldn't leave him, even if she wanted to.Krevan had been right.A woman needed a protector on Verrian.Without him, the lawless men there would do more than just harm her.Krevan had shielded her many times.He was her guardian angel—strong, powerful, mysterious, and vengeful, just like the old Earth stories of such beings.Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Ancelin decided to prepare a meal.
Ancelin crafted a wonderful meal while grappling with some of the unsettling information Lena had shared.Krevan had to be without mercy toward the other prisoners on Hellgate.And there had to be a story behind his wife’s death.She wrestled with how to ask Krevan the details of his wife’s death.He’d not shared any information about his wife’s death.How would she handle the truth?Was he a threat to her?Ancelin's nerves were fraying."He must have an explanation.I’ll ask him," she resolved.
"What do you want to ask me, sweet girl?"The words came from directly behind her, warm breath tickling her neck.Ancelin's scream pierced the silence of the house as she whirled around.
"I had no idea you were home," she gasped, pressing a hand to her chest."That's about the tenth time I've screamed since arriving on Verrian."
Krevan's lips curved upward."Sorry about your nerves—and my eardrums."He gently turned her to fully face him."Now, what question has you talking to yourself in an empty kitchen?"
"Did you kill your wife?"The words tumbled out before she could soften them.
His face stilled."I’m responsible for her death.That much is true."
Ancelin backed away until she felt the counter edge against her spine.Krevan merely circled the kitchen island and settled onto a stool, seemingly unbothered by her retreat.
"Something smells incredible," he said, eyeing what she was preparing."I haven't eaten all day."
"I defrosted some tartis and roasted it with those vegetables from your storage unit.There's chocolate pudding too."Ancelin placed the steaming plate before him, willing her hands steady.The domesticity of serving dinner felt absurd against the weight of murder accusations hanging between them.
Krevan's eyes shifted to metallic silver."You said you trusted me.Are you going to listen to my explanation, or have you already convicted me?"
"I'm listening."She withdrew her hands quickly as she set down his plate, avoiding any contact with his fingers.
"From the beginning or just the ending?"He took a bite and his eyes shifted to green."These spices are perfect."
Ancelin gripped the counter edge of the table.Part of her wanted to flee through the door; another part wanted to collapse into his arms.Her stomach twisted with the contradiction.
"The beginning.Everything."She forced her voice to remain steady.
Krevan savored several more bites in silence.Just when she thought he wouldn't speak, he set down his fork.
"I married Gillian Grusop through arrangement.My grandfather and her father were business associates.I mentioned this before?"
