Page 30 of Surrender
He had a late meeting, which he’d planned to conduct in his study, and had told her he might not make it to bed until the very early hours of morning. She’d decided to stay up late herself and read for a while in front of the roaring fire in the library, as this was one of her favorite spots in the grand house.
The coziness of this room was comforting and reminded her of her grandparents’ house. She smiled at the memory and closed her eyes, and the feelings became stronger. With her eyes closed, she could more easily transport herself into the past, back to a time when life was much simpler. A time when her grandparents were still alive, and her parents were still together. Her mother wasn’t sick yet and the Kall hadn’t invaded Earth. A time when all her hopes and dreams for the future still seemed attainable.
She sighed and opened her eyes, then stared into the fire, watching the flames dance in the hearth. A noise behind her prompted her to straighten and peer toward the door. To her surprise, a Kall servant woman named Chrisna was approaching her, a look of disbelief on her face. She rushed to Fiona and grasped her hand, giving it an affectionate squeeze.
“You will never believe what I just overheard.” The Kall female smiled and dropped Fiona’s hand.
“What is it?” Fiona asked, her curiosity piqued by Chrisna’s enthusiasm.
A worried look suddenly crossed the young Kall female’s face, though she still appeared excited and happy. “You must promise not to tell anyone, especially the ambassador.”
“Of course, I promise,” Fiona said. “Please, what is it?”
“Do you know whatushrinais?” Chrisna asked.
A knot formed in Fiona’s stomach. She nodded. “Yes, I-I know what it is.” She suppressed a shudder and wondered how the servant could look so joyous while talking about the violent practice ofushrina.
Chrisna leaned closer and whispered, “Good. I’m glad I don’t have to explain it. Anyway, I was walking by the ambassador’s study and overheard his meeting with the High Council. He called the meeting to propose a new law—a law that would make it illegal for Kall males who are in an arranged marriage with a human to practiceushrina.Not only is it now illegal, but it is punishable by death. I know I shouldn’t have eavesdropped, but when I happened to hear what they were discussing, I couldn’t help myself, and I thought you might want to know.”
Chrisna paused and took a deep breath, her eyes twinkling.
“I wanted to tell you about the meeting, Betsy, because I want you to know what an honorable Kall you have married. I-I know you were likely reluctant to marry the ambassador, but he is a good, decent male.” Her expression turned wistful and she emitted a dreamy sigh. “I remember how nervous I was to marry Rentzaq,” she confessed. “He is much older than me, and we were strangers and didn’t meet until our wedding day, and I knew very little about him at the time. I suppose that’s another reason I wanted to tell you about the ambassador’s good deed, because I remember what it was like to marry a stranger.”
Fiona was stunned. She heard footsteps in the distance and realized someone was nearing the library. Was it Merokk? Was his meeting now over? She regarded Chrisna with gratitude.
“Thank you for telling me all this. I-I don’t even know what to think, but it is wonderful news, to know he’s taken such a bold action with the High Council.”
“Remember, Betsy, we never had this conversation. I-I wouldn’t want to jeopardize my position here. I very much enjoy working for Ambassador Merokk, and Rentzaq enjoys working for him too. And if Rentzaq were to find out I was eavesdropping on the ambassador…” Her voice trailed off but Fiona understood her meaning perfectly.
The footsteps grew louder and Chrisna rose to her feet. She withdrew a dust rag from her apron and flitted to the other side of the room, where she made a big to-do of wiping down a bookshelf, no doubt trying to look busy in case Merokk entered the library, even though all the servants were normally in bed by now.
Her mind spinning, Fiona rushed out of the library and ran straight into a huge, solid figure. She glanced up and met Merokk’s dark gaze, his handsome face illuminated by a nearby sconce.
“There you are,” he said, his tone gentle. He wrapped his hands around her upper arms and peered down at her, and she felt as though she were looking at him in a brand-new light. He’d helped change a law that had previously harmed human females.
“Yes,” she said, finally finding her voice. “I-I’m right here. I was just reading in the library. You know how I enjoy sitting in front of the fire and reading. It’s particularly enjoyable on a dark cold night when the house is quiet and most everyone is asleep.” She drew in a deep breath as her face flushed. She felt as though she were rambling in her nervousness.
A warm but fatigued smile took over his face. “I hope you are ready for bed, wife.”
“Oh, yes,” she said. “I am ready for bed.” Her breath hitched and she felt suddenly nervous. She wanted to throw her arms around her husband and thank him for what he’d just done, but she didn’t wish to betray Chrisna.
Merokk studied her for a long moment, and she started to get a sinking feeling. What if he thought she was behaving strangely and questioned her? She would have to lie then, and she very much didn’t wish to tell him yet another lie, even if it was to protect a servant. It was bad enough that he didn’t know her real name, her true identity.
But he wasn’t cruel. His actions tonight proved he had a heart. Would he understand if she confessed everything to him? Would he be terribly angry if he learned she was an imposter? If he knew all her reasons for deceiving him, would he forgive her?
Her mother’s face flashed in her mind.
No, I can’t. No matter how badly I wish to confess everything, I can’t.
She couldn’t risk her mother’s safety, even if she was coming to trust Merokk. It was a risk she simply couldn’t take.
Fortunately, Merokk didn’t ask her what was wrong. Instead, he wrapped an arm around her and guided her upstairs. That night, he claimed her slowly and tenderly, with warmth gleaming in his dark eyes. He didn’t swat her breasts or slap her bottom, nor did he force her to her knees so she might suck on his cock.
He simply kissed her all over, then sank into her wet heat, where he drove home again and again, spilling himself inside her repeatedly. She would’ve never described what happened between them nightly asmaking loveuntil now, and while she couldn’t deny she liked his usual roughness, she hoped this wasn’t the last time he claimed her in this tender, affectionate manner.
She fell asleep in his arms, feeling more content and hopeful than she had in months.
Chapter 18
