"Then get dressed.I'll wait.But hurry I have to take care of my livestock.”
"Could we see my house today?"she asked.
Krevan's hands stilled under the running water, his mug half-rinsed."That generator's sitting out in this mess.Storm'll soak you through before you take three steps.Your house will still be there when the storm break."
"Just tell me straight—is it falling apart?"Ancelin leaned forward, fingers tight around her cup.
"Falling apart?"The corner of Krevan's mouth twitched."No.But it's...primitive.Like those wilderness retreats Earthers pay for, except nobody pays to rough it on Verrian.It’s too harsh here."
"Primitive how?"Her voice sharpened."Don't sugarcoat it."
Krevan set his mug down, eyes locking with hers."Those listing images you supposedly reviewed—did you actually look at them?Really look?"
"I did, but I can't recall all the specifics.I viewed so many photos.I was juggling a lot when I made the arrangements to come here."
"Let me be straight with you, Ancelin.The place is...rustic.The temperature control is spotty at best, you'll need buckets when it rains, and your bathroom facilities consist of a wooden structure about thirty paces from the back door," Krevan said, leaning against the counter."Though I did make sure the kitchen sink works."
Ancelin's coffee cup froze halfway to her lips."An outdoor toilet?In this weather?The listing never—" She set the cup down with a sharp clink."What am I supposed to do at night or during storms like this?"
"There's a ceramic pot under the bed," Krevan said with a half-shrug."Not elegant, but functional and the listing did disclose what I’m telling you.”
Ancelin gaped like a fish out of water while Krevan's mouth quivered with barely contained amusement."This house’s hot shower works perfectly," he said, stacking her plate with the others."After you're cleaned up, I'll get you connected—SatView, Galaxnet, Satphone—all the essentials.The other house and the outhouse situation can wait."
Dazed, Ancelin found herself nodding and sliding off the stool.She drifted toward her room in a stupor.As Ancelin left the kitchen, she could feel Krevan's eyes on her.When she glanced back, he was watching, seemingly entranced by the sway of her hips.She knew that look of interest from a man.
Her missing the Earth-bound vessel had altered their paths forever.Something about Ancelin had gotten under Krevan's skin—his entire manner transforming overnight.How long had it been since a woman had shared his space?"I told you to leave while you could," he murmured into the silence after she'd gone.His words drifted up the stairwell to where Ancelin paused on the steps, a shiver racing along her spine.The sensation confused her—was it fear that made her pulse quicken, or something else entirely?
Ancelin retreated to the guest room, stripped down, and collected her toiletries before making her way to the bathroom.She paused, taken aback by its pristine condition.A spacious tub sat beside a glass-walled shower enclosure.Twin sinks stretched beneath wall-length mirrors that caught her naked reflection as she stepped toward the shower.After arranging her bottles along the built-in shelf, she went hunting for towels, discovering a closet stocked with plush white linens and unused soaps near the entrance.
Ancelin grabbed a fluffy white towel and set it within reach of the shower."Strange," she murmured to her reflection."He claims he never has visitors, yet he's stocked for a small hotel."
She stepped into the glass stall, and the door slid shut with a soft hiss.Like everything else in Krevan's house, it operated with sleek precision.How had he afforded such luxury on this remote planet?The question lingered as warm water cascaded over her shoulders.Her soap created rich, fragrant lather against her skin.She tilted her face into the spray, letting it drum against her temples and neck, easing the tension she'd carried since arrival.Steam billowed around her, obscuring the mirrors beyond the glass.Sinking onto the marble bench, Ancelin inhaled deeply.If Krevan complained about her using his hot water, so be it.Right now, she couldn't summon the energy to care.Her eyelids grew heavy as she leaned against cool tiles, consciousness slipping away beneath the steady patter of water.
* * *
Sunlight dappled through the dogwood trees like confetti across her parents' front lawn.Ancelin's graduation tassel danced from her rearview mirror, swinging in rhythm with her humming as she pulled into the driveway.Two nights ago, her mother had told her—"Life's just beginning for you, honey"—and Ancelin had spent the morning dreaming of cinnamon rolls rising in the oven at her parent’s home on Saturday morning.
She floated from the car, purse swinging from her fingertips, the tune on her lips growing louder as she let herself in through the garage.The house greeted her with silence.No coffee scenting the air, no bacon crackling its welcome, no morning news anchors chattering.
"Hello?"Her voice bounced back to her, hollow."I'm home!Anyone awake yet?"Her keys clattered against the counter."If nobody made breakfast, we could go to that new place downtown.I want to celebrate some more!"
Ancelin spun around the corner into the family room, her smile still bright as a promise.Then her world inverted.Crimson painted the beige walls in violent brushstrokes.Her parents—her beautiful, loving parents—lay twisted on the sofa like broken dolls, their limbs arranged in a grotesque parody of rest.
* * * *
Ancelin's scream bounced off the bathroom walls.She stumbled out of the shower and slammed into Krevan, who caught her by the shoulders with steady hands.
"Ancelin," he murmured, voice steady as stone."You're okay now.What scared you?"
His voice pierced the haze of her terror.She grabbed fistfuls of his shirt, burying her face against him.
"So much blood," she whispered through chattering teeth.His arms enveloped her, a fortress of warmth, until awareness dawned."Oh god—" She recoiled, shielding herself with crossed arms."What are you doing here?Turn around!Where's my towel?"
Krevan turned to the linen closet, yanked several towels from their neat stack, and held one out to her, his eyes carefully averted.
"Your scream..."He swallowed."I thought something was hurting you.I just reacted.I'm sorry for the intrusion."
Tears streaked down Ancelin's burning cheeks as she clutched the towel to her chest, unable to look at him.
