Page 4 of A Queen's Game
She leaned into her husband and felt the tightness in her chest. “I love you too.”
“Now tell me,” he said, releasing her, “what can I do to help get you into that shower faster?”
Thankful for the running water of their building, Marietta settled into the pillows, still flushed from their shower. Though plumbing was available throughout Enomenos, owning a shower remained a luxury. Between her and Tilan, they could afford such comforts.
Tilan walked in, his dark hair wet and clinging to his face. He only wore his undershorts, his build slim but bulked with the necessary muscle for a blacksmith.“Busy day?” Tilan asked as he relaxed onto his side. His long hair tumbled into his face. Their late nights, which happened often, meant eating dinner apart and catching up in bed.
“Busy, yes. But also exciting!” Marietta rolled to her side, her head propped by her arm as she looked at her husband. “You remember the pastry I was experimenting with two weeks ago?”
“The one with ale in the batter?”
“Yes! That one. I had it in the case today—sold every one of them again!” she said, a smile spreading across her face.
“Mar, that’s great! Glad it sold better than the cheese pastry,” he said, chuckling.
She swatted his arm. “Will you stop bringing it up? I thought using blue cheese would balance out the sweetness—will you stop laughing?” She crawled to his side of the bed, swatting at him.
Tilan tried to catch his breath, speaking between gasps of laughter. “I’m... sorry, but... who would think that stinky cheese would sell at a bakery?”
Marietta sat on top of him, looking down at her husband, whose smile lit his entire face. Her hands were gentle as she moved a rogue strand of hair that fell across his eyes, tucking itbehind his round-tipped ear, and brought her face to his with a kiss, his lips soft against her own.
She sat back, still on top. “You can appreciate that I tried something new.”
“That’s one of the many reasons I love you, Mar.” He laced his fingers with hers. “You’re always trying something new.”
“How about you? How was your day?”
“Same old, same old. Wit Dulath came to get his order, though he’s five days late.” His face dropped into a frown.
Marietta sighed. Wit was an old half-elven man and a former client of hers, whose memory worsened by the day. “I’m sorry, my love. I’m surprised the old man is still running a business. He’s what, one hundred and sixty now? He should retire to Notos like the rest of the old folk.” Half-elves live to about a century and eight decades, and with Wit’s appetite for alcohol, it surprised her that he was still alive.
“That’s because his memory is getting worse, and I brought that up to him today. Said Notos is too old for him.” He laughed, the sound filling Marietta’s heart. “Typical Wit.”
Marietta rolled to her side of the bed and turned off the oil lamp, smiling at the nymph dagger that sat on her nightstand. Though she no longer traveled, the habit was hard to break. Ever since Tilan gifted it to her, she slept with it by her side every night.
“Sometimes, I hate these long days. I miss spending time with you,” Marietta said, darkness falling upon the room.
Tilan’s arm draped across her middle, pulling her close. “I know things have been busy, but we’ll take a trip soon. I promise.”
“A trip? And where would we go?” Marietta longed for a few days off with her husband.
“Hmm. Notos? We could visit your parents.” His voice grew heavy with sleep.
“That would be nice,” she said, thinking of her parents’ countryside villa. “Notos is lovely this time of year, the pleasant spring weather before the summer’s heat settles. And my parents would love to see you. I swear they love you more than me.”
“Mm,” he said, his mind drifting off to sleep.
“I love you, Tilan.” Her voice was soft. A trip sounded perfect. It was the vacation they always promised they’d take together. Maybe they would go this time.
“I love you too, Mar,” he murmured as sleep overtook him.
White sandy beaches, warm breezes, and the heat of the southern sun filled Marietta’s dreams. Tilan held her hand as the wind whipped his hair loose from its tie. They laughed about one of their many inside jokes. She relaxed her head on his chest. Paradise, that was it; alone at last with the man who held her heart.
A loud thud stirred Marietta from her sleep, her eyes popping open. “What was that?” she asked, darkness filling their bedroom.
“Hmm?” Tilan’s gravelly voice said next to her.
“I heard something.” The hair of her nape rose, her heart racing from jolting awake. Out of instinct and habit, she grabbed her nymph dagger off the nightstand. As she reached for the oil lamp, someone burst through the doorway.
