Page 13 of A Queen's Game
She smiled up at him as her hand rubbed his chest. “Well, I could be more entertaining. How much longer until your sword can have another bout?”
“Seriously?” he asked. “You want more?”
Marietta pushed herself up, her curls cascading around her. “I could go all night.”
A smile hooked Keyain’s lips as he cupped her cheek. “I won’t keep you waiting for lo—”
Marietta silenced him with a kiss.
Chapter Five
Marietta
The door latched behind Keyain as he stepped into the room. Marietta’s heart jumped to her throat as she scurried backward on the bed. “What is this?” Marietta asked. Of all the people to attack her, why hadn’t she considered him?
“Marietta,” he whispered, eyes wide as he approached, “it’s been so long.” His hand reached out to her, but she pressed her back against the wall.
“For a good reason,” she hissed. “Why am I here? Where’s Tilan? The nurse said my husband was coming.”
His hand fell, as did the look of hope on his face. Keyain swallowed hard as he said, “I am your husband.”
“No, no, no….” If she was in Satiros because of Keyain, then her situation was worse than she realized. With bile rising in her throat, heart thundering in her chest, Marietta jumped from the bed, past Keyain. After two steps, her vision turned white, her limbs weak beneath her. Keyain caught her as she collapsed.
“Please, you must rest.”
With the slight effort she could afford, Marietta pushed him away. “I asked where my husband, Tilan, is.”
“Mar, I—”
“You don’t use that name. Not anymore.” Hot tears blurred her vision. A hasty hand wiped them away as she glared at Keyain.
“Okay,” he said, holding out his hands. “You’ve been through a lot. It’d be best if—”
Keyain reached for her, and Marietta smacked away his hand. What right did he have to bring her to Satiros? “Why am I here, Keyain? And where in the hells is Tilan?”
“Do you remember what happened to Tilan?” he asked, taking a step towards her. “He’s gone, Marietta.”
Gone. Tilan was truly gone. Marietta’s breath hitched as tears spilled from her eyes, mouth quivering as she yelled, “What did you do?”
“Hush, please.” He reached for her again, Marietta’s weak punches powerless against his embrace. Keyain’s lips grazed her forehead, the touch scathing. “The soldiers said your injuries were severe, that you hit your head hard.” He paused with a deep breath. “I’ve missed you so much.”
She thrashed against him, screaming into his chest. His touch was familiar yet foreign from memories she’d long blocked out. Marietta needed to break free—to escape.
In a blur of motion, her knee found his groin, jerking up into his crotch as she darted away from him. Even in his pain, Keyain’s size and strength held her to his body. As his arm shifted to her face, Marietta bit down and broke his skin. Dropped from his hold, she fled for the door. The handle was in her grip. She pulled with all her strength as Keyain’s hand landed next to her head on the door, slamming it shut.
The bastard. She wouldn’t stay there. Not with him. Marietta swung her hip into him to shove him out of the way, but his mass held. Her limbs were leaden as she tried again, failing in their weakened state.
Keyain wrapped her in his arms, whispering into her hair. “I know it’s a lot to take in,” he murmured to her. “I’m so sorry the humans have tricked you so.”
“What are you talking about?” Breath snagged in her throat as she looked up at him. Was he always that tall?
“The Enomenoans took you from me. And now you’re home, my wife.” He whispered as he guided her back to the bed.
“I’m not your wife,” she hissed.
With his strong arms, Keyain placed her on the bed as he knelt beside it with his face, keeping his face level with Marietta. “You are my wife.” He moved a stray curl of hair from her face, the gesture too personal, too sensuous.
“You’re a liar,” she whispered, her voice fraying with emotion. “Why am I here? What did you do?”
