What would Reece do if they shared the bed? Would he try and seduce? Would she let him? What if he did nothing? Should she make the first move and have a selfishly indulgent moment?
She emerged from the bathing chamber to find Reece already lounging on the mattress, one arm tucked behind his head, his other hand holding a tablet upright on his belly. He wore a warm and comfortable-looking track suit, definitely not sexy attire. A spurt of disappointment hit her at seeing his body all covered up. Maybe his flirtatious words were just meant for fun and shouldn’t be taken seriously.
“What are you studying?” she asked, shoving her soiled clothes into a niche in the wall. Would the laundry unit still function? She’d not tried it in centuries.
“Looking over the readings I took before our swim.”
“And?”
“And it’s too early for me to form a conclusion.”
She snorted. “Is that a polite way of saying you don’t know how you’re going to fix the problem?”
“Not yet. Give me time and I’ll think of something.”
Doubtful, but she also really hoped he could.
While the large bed had more than enough space for her to lie down without touching him, something about the intimacy of it had her hesitating.
“What’s up, Queenie? You’re chewing your lip and wringing your hands something fierce.”
Not about to admit her trepidation, she threw herself down on her side, back to him. “Nothing. Being here is just hard.” An answer he accepted.
“What will you do if Mars can make a comeback?”
The question took her aback. “I actually hadn’t thought of it.”
“You should because, once I fix it, you’ll need to make some decisions. Will you stay queen? Finally retire?”
“You’re asking me to imagine something that won’t happen.”
“Such little faith.”
“More like being a realist. I don’t know why you think you can solve a problem thousands of years old. Or are you implying I didn’t try hard enough?”
“Oh, I believe you’ve tried, well past the point most people would have given up. Don’t forget, I have prophecy on my side.”
“Would you really give your life to fulfill it because, it seems to me, it claims your success hinges on your death.”
“A warrior is always aware he might have to give his life to fulfill his mission,” his somber reply. “As it is, I’ve lived muchlonger than I should have. The day I became Aquarius I should have died. I’d be nothing but bones in the Earth if not for my second chance. So, no, I wouldn’t be greedy. And you’re one to talk. You gave up your life and any chance at happiness to do the right thing.”
She almost denied his claim, but he spoke the truth. She wasn’t happy, hadn’t been since she’d realized her victory over the Kukakk spelled the Martian downfall.
Rather than continue this conversation, she fell silent and pretended to sleep. Soon, she actually did slumber, her dreams, no surprise, haunted by the past. This time she stood in her bedroom, not as it sat currently but when it used to be a lavish sanctuary of soft fabrics, plush carpets, and the window gleamed with daylight. Through it, she could gaze upon her kingdom. The clean and safe streets. The sturdy and highly functional homes and buildings. The peace she’d taken for granted.
She stiffened, feeling a presence by her side. “Invading my dream again?”
“Not on purpose,” Reece murmured. “Gorgeous city. I can see why you miss the old Mars. It used to be quite amazing.”
“I’m aware.” A terse reply. She went to move away from the window, but he grabbed her arm.
“That wasn’t meant to sound as if I blamed you. You did the best you could.”
“And it wasn’t enough.” Her voice broke.
He dragged her against his chest and wrapped his arms around her in a hug. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had gotten that close.
She should push away. She didn’t deserve his comfort, but instead, she leaned her cheek against him, heard the steady thump of his heart, and somehow felt the warmth of him despite it being a dream. Desire stirred but forget pushing away. Reece held her tight—and it felt so good. So right.
