Page 65 of A Queen's Game
“Keyain, stop!” Marietta cried as he kissed down her neck, pushing her onto the double-wide bed. Just arriving in Rotamu, they were getting settled in the room for a week-long stay in the double river city. Dust and dirt from traveling from Kentro coated their clothes, Keyain not caring as they rolled onto the covers.
For a moment, Keyain pulled back, leaning on one arm as he gazed down at Marietta. The golden afternoon light shined through the windows, casting Keyain in its glow. With a hand, he cupped her face, a thumb brushing over her cheek. “I love you, Mar.”
That was new. Marietta couldn’t help but smile, thinking of her grumpy bodyguard who gave way to protective partner in just a few months. Keyain cared deeply for her though he could be a bit possessive at times. Her heart fluttered as she said, “I love you, Keyain.”
His kisses came slowly, passionately, his hands reaching for the hem of her tunic, pulling it up over her head. “Life is so much more enjoyable with you in it,” he said while kissing down her neck once more.
Marietta’s stomach flipped as her smile widened. Keyain was never one for sentimental words, yet he continued. “Freedom like this, to love and to travel, is made so much sweeter by your company. I can’t believe there was ever a time in my life where I didn’t have you,” Keyain said into her skin, pausing to kiss her collarbone. “Your vibrant energy for life is refreshing. Your enthusiasm for your business and people is commendable. How you balance it all—the traveling, the work, the people—and still make time for me is unbelievable. I love you, Marietta, and I am utterly and completely yours.”
Keyain kissed her again while his hand cradled her head. Marietta pulled back, holding his face. “Such flowery words from someone who hates sharing how he feels,” she teased, causing his smile to deepen. “It’s funny to think of how much of a killjoy you were at first, not wanting me to drink or dance, not wanting any mischief,” she said, lifting her mouth to his. “But you learned to trust me, and I can see that your concern came from a place of caring. Despite your rough, aggressive exterior, inside you is a large heart that somehow I’m lucky enough to have a spot in.” Marietta sighed, looking up at Keyain. “You are a pain in my ass,” she said, earning a laugh from him, “but I am yours. I love you, Keyain.”
Keyain slowly kissed down her body, removing her leggings as he went and discarding his clothes. With the confession of their love fresh on their lips, they didn’t stop until the sun hung low in the sky.
The past five months had been a blur for Marietta. She’d gained a handful of new clients, some needed more attention than others, and then there was Keyain—an unexpected piece she hadn’t planned on. He wasn’tjusther guard for long. After their first night together, Marietta had tried to keep things professional, clearly stating that the position wasn’tthattype of job; yet somehow, through the tension that was ever presentwhen they were together, she had fallen for Keyain. Despite his blunt way of handling situations and dealing with people, Keyain was a refreshing foil, helping Marietta think logically about her business. Plus, on the road, Keyain had proven himself more capable than any guard, especially after the first attack in the countryside.
Marietta laid on her side, staring at Keyain while their bodies were still slick with sweat. “The freckles kind of take away from the aggressive manly look you’re going for,” she said, reaching out her fingers to trace them.
Keyain pretended to bite her fingers, laughing. “You mean aggressivemalelook.” He flicked the elongated tip of his ears and said, “These don’t count asmanly.Quite clearly, I’m an elf.”
Marietta rolled her eyes. “You know what I meant. Male and female sound too much like breeding animals. It’s brutish.”
“Maybe here, but you wouldn’t catch anyone from Syllogi sayingmanorwomanwhen referring to elves.” He hesitated, biting his lip. “Speaking of Syllogi, we need to talk about something.”
“That sounds serious.” Marietta tried to joke, but her stomach dropped.
“It’s not bad, I swear,” he said, leaning on his side to face Marietta. Keyain brought Marietta’s hand up to her mouth, kissing it. “I have to leave at the end of the week.”
“What? Why?” Marietta furrowed her brows. “You wait to tell me this now?”
“I’m sorry I waited to tell you.” Hesitating, he ran his fingers through his hair, deciding his words. “I need to go home for a while.”
“Satiros? For how long?”
“Six months.”
Marietta jolted up, looking down at him. “Six months? And you waited until a week before to tell me?”
“I know, I know. Marietta, I am so sorry. But I hired guards, already reached out to a few people I trust. And I paid for everything, you just—”
Marietta cut him off. “Why do you have to go back? Why for so long?”
Keyain tried to cup her face, but she moved away from his touch. “I have a job, Marietta. I can only do so much on the road.”
“And this job is what, exactly? I’m assuming it’s still drugs of some sort since youstillwon’t tell me,” Marietta said, tightening her lips. “I’m willing to overlook whatever it is because I don’t believe you’re harming people or doing anything too despicable. But you need to tell me something, Keyain.”
“I love you, but I can’t. One day I will, I promise. Right now, you’re better off not knowing.”
She fell onto her back, gazing at the wooden ceiling above. “Is this the part where you ask me to come with you?”
Keyain leaned over, his finger lightly circling her skin. “I could never ask, not with your business, but you are more than welcome to come with me. I’d love to show you Satiros, to tell you everything.”
Marietta closed her eyes and sighed. “You know that isn’t possible. I can’t take six months off, as much as I would love to learn something about your life,” she said, glancing at Keyain with a tight smile.
Silence overtook them as they laid together, Marietta stewing about his blatant lack of notice. Finally, she said, “Alyck won’t be one of the guards, right?”
Keyain laughed uncomfortably. “No, he wouldn’t make it an hour before you killed him, and I prefer to keep my friends alive.”
Marietta smirked. “I would rather risk it by myself than rely on him. So no worries, he’d be alive and well in whatever city-state I ditched him in.”
