Page 3 of The Build Up

He reaches my side and curls his arm around my waist, his hand coming to rest on the swell of my belly. As always, his touch is both tender and possessive.

He’s gone and put our child to sleep, as he’s done every night since we returned to Earth.

Making up for lost time.

We look at each other, saying nothing.

And just as I stare at him in mild awe—the feeling never grows old—he regards me with a deep red gaze that turns almost inky-black in the fading light.

Stars,he’s so magnificently alien that it takes my breath away.

How must I look to him right now—standing barefoot on a balcony, sticking my hand out to feel the rain?

“You like this phenomenon, don’t you? Water, falling from the sky…”

“There’s a sense of relief about it,” I explain. “In this country, we go through long dry spells where the vegetation goes brown, and the earth becomes hard. The creeks run dry. The birds migrate to greener pastures. It gets bloodyhot,and everyone goes a little bit mad. And then, the rain comes…”

As if to illustrate my point, a jagged spear of lightning falls from the sky, casting a flash of light across the horizon for a split-second. A crack of thunder isn’t far behind.

It’sclose.

Tarak chuckles—a low rumble that reverberates right into my bones. He’s wearing nothing but a loose pair of trousers. Home wear. Unguarded.Relaxed.

It should be rare to see him like this—to have him all to myself like this—and yet he seems to be able to make so much time for me.

“We could terraform this place,” he says. “Change the atmospheric temperature so it rains more often. Create rivers and lakes. Accelerated-growth vegetation could quickly form a forest.”

“Don’t you fucking dare,” I say, placing my dry hand against his hard torso, exerting a little pressure. “There arebilbieshere. They’ve only just returned after hundreds of years.”

Yes, I’m the kind of person who will protest against some development or other because of some rare native species in the area. I’m not averse to the idea of putting farms in space, but this ecosystem is so rare and delicate that it should be protected at all costs.

Tarak’s broad chest rises and falls in a swift rhythm—too fast for breathing. It takes me a moment to realize he’s chuckling.

“You…” I take my handful of rainwater and slap it against his chest, wetting him. Of course, he doesn’t even flinch. But hedoesstop laughing.

At least he’s laughing. When I first met him, I didn’t think Tarak would ever be capable of laughter.

But apparently, Kordolianscanlaugh.

He takes my wet hand into his and twines his fingers through mine. The heat of his palm radiates into me. “I adore you, wife. Especially when you feel strongly about something. Forgive me. I couldn’t help but suggest that whichIwould do in an instant, knowing you would instantly reject it—with vehemence.”

His lips curve into an indulgent smile.

“You were teasing me,” I say flatly, trying to sound unimpressed even though I’m secretly delighted to see this playful side of him.

Silver-white eyebrows lift in mock surprise. “I thought you humans liked that sort of thing.”

“Well, yes, generally. But considering the ease with which you can do practically anything, including altering the fate of entire worlds, I have to be cautious around you.”

“You donot,” he retorts, mildly indignant.

It’s my turn to smile—smugly.Got you.

“Oh?” The penny drops quickly with him, as always. His grip around my waist tightens. He pulls me closer, leaning in, pressing his lips against my temple. “You and I… we’refarbeyond caution.”

Warmth spreads through me.

Lightning flashes again, softer this time, sheet-like in the distance. There’s a slightly longer pause before the thunder rumbles ominously.

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