Page 18 of Chained

Maxym’s incredible dark eyes glitter in the artificial lights above us.

“Then I will be here for you tomorrow,” he says.

And just like that, I’m released from my cowl of fragrant feathers and muscles as if it had never happened, and instead, Maxym stands a foot away from me, looking as benign as a predator can look.

Ridiculously flustered, my cheeks burning, I force out a goodbye and stumble into the transport. As it departs, I watch Maxym. He doesn’t move, staring at me until the gates close behind us. I don’t know why I just invited him back. I don’t even know if Retah would want to meet him.

It felt like the right thing to do.

It doesn’t take long to get back to Retah’s. His dwelling is attached by a series of tunnels to his shop in the Solyom area of Tatatunga and tucked away down a myriad of side streets, which means the transport can avoid the main market.

“How did it go today?” Tibi greets me as I exit the transport in our courtyard, this one filled with multi-colored vegetation, some of which she is picking and placing in a basket.

“I got through all the gladiators I had on my list for today. Everyone was happy,” I reply.

“Excellent!” Tibi thrashes her tail. “I made you some of your favorite soup. Come eat.”

“I already ate,” I say, tiredness washing over me.

“Oh?”

“With the gladiator.” The words trip off my tongue before I can stop them.

“Withthegladiator?” Tibi’s mouth curls up. “The very annoying gladiator?”

“Maxym offered to provide me with protection within the dome.”

“Did he?”

“As per Retah’s agreement with them,” I retort haughtily. “Nothing unusual. Is Retah around?”

I walk past her into the main dwelling, hoping she will let the matter drop or I can get away from her to process my own feelings about what happened today without an interrogation.

No such luck. Tibi follows me.

“He had to go away for a few nova-days, to finish off a few contracts.”

Damn, I remember him telling me that this morning. I can’t use him as an excuse to get away from Tibi or to find out more about Maxym.

“Of course, I forgot.”

There’s a small furry paw on my arm, halting my progress.

“I’m not the enemy, Cleo. You can talk to me,” she says.

If only!

“I’m sorry.” I take her paw in between my two hands. “I’m tired. It’s been a long day.”

“Why don’t you go have a rest. I’ll bring you some joh, and you can do a comm with Retah,” she says sensibly. “He’d like to hear how today went even if he can’t be here. Especially if it went well. You know how important the dome contract is to him.”

“Okay,” I concede, pleased she’s dropping her line of questioning relating to Maxym. “That sounds nice.”

She gives my hand a pat, withdraws her paw, and walks off in the direction of the food prep area. I feel my shoulders drop.

Sooner or later, I’m going to have to come clean with her and with Retah. The fact Maxym knows about my pregnancy means it isn’t going to be long before I can’t hide it anymore. That’s if he knows how to keep a secret…or a confidence.

I reach my rooms and, kicking off my boots, I climb into the bed, pulling the bedclothes over me and arranging them so I don’t look…pregnant.

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