Page 81 of Married to the All Hallows' Eve Alien

"Everything she likes except for me is on Earth, and that's the other thing."

"What?"

"Look at me."

Commander Fox looks me up and down with a critical eye. "What? You look fine. A bit tired."

"No. I mean, she wants her human man, not an Alliance one."

"What's skin color?" the commander asks dismissively.

"You know what it is. Why should it not be as important to her as it is to us in the galaxy?"

"Look at all the shades of colors humans are. She should be more okay with this than you."

I shake my head. "It's not a competition. I'm sorry I even brought it up. I was just trying to point out that I think she's finding it difficult to find me attractive like this. I didn't want to have some deeper philosophical debate."

"Sorry," the commander says genuinely. "You should just wear your holo then until she gets used to you. That's what I would offer."

We finish sparing, and I clasp shoulders with the commander. “What if she leaves?” I ask quietly, telling him my biggest fear.

He looks me dead in the eyes. “Make sure she doesn’t. Don’t leave it up to fate.” He lets go of my arms and then says, “Walk in the goddesses' light and let them guide you."

"May they always guide me," I reply, trying to think of what else I can do to convince Ivy to stay.

* * *

On the way back to my quarters, I stop by Vin's quarters. He's awake. He opens the door and bows.

"No need to dress," I tell him. "I just wanted to let you know that my… I have new quarters in the married corridor, but I'm not living there yet. Ivy is there, and you're not to come in unannounced."

"Yes."

"I don't think we will have our marriage ceremony tomorrow," I say, not needing to explain myself to my squire.

"The goddesses will not leave it too long," Vin replies.

I acknowledge his reply and then go to my own quarters. I go directly into the bathroom. I can't help but think about Ivy. I wish she would talk to me about whatever she has so much to talk to Caroline about. I'm her husband, almost. Once my clothing is off and I'm about to get into the shower, I'm so annoyed I'm almost ready to walk back to our married quarters and demand they tell me what they're talking about. But I resist. That wouldn't look good, and it would probably annoy Ivy.

After a long shower, I try to go to sleep. I close my eyes, but sleep eludes me. I get up and walk the short distance to the married corridor. I’m naked and still a bit wet, but I don’t care. I can’t sleep when my future with Ivy hangs in the balance. The door opens for me, and I walk in.

Caroline and Ivy both go silent. I don't mind that they were talking about me. I expected it. "I didn't mean to interrupt. I just wanted to make sure Ivy was settled for sleep…"

Caroline immediately rises. "We had a good visit. May the goddesses guide you."

"May you walk in their light," I reply as she quickly passes me. Then my eyes meet Ivy's.

Thirty-Six

Ivy

"Thank you for coming to talk to me," I tell Caroline, trying not to be shocked by Sem being completely naked standing in the doorway.

"I'm not sure what good it did. I'm almost afraid I made things worse."

"You didn't," I assure her. Then Sem and Caroline exchange some words in Alliance, and she leaves. Sem doesn't break eye contact with me.

I tell him without any preamble, "She told me that if she were me, she'd 'say a prayer for those eggs that they didn't survive and move on with my life.'"

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