Page 27 of Surrender
She flinched and he loosened his hold on her arms, but he didn’t release her. “I’m sorry, Merokk,” she said. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I-I thought you were trying to say that you wished to send me away.” Her blue eyes glimmered with tears.
He felt the anger drain out of him and he shifted to cup her face. “Send you away?” He pressed a quick, firm kiss to her lips. “Never. I will never send you away.” He paused and took a deep breath as the last of his anger faded.
How strange, this attachment he was developing for Betsy. The prospect of sending her away or being without her made him rage inside.
Was it the beginnings of true affection?
He pushed these thoughts aside, intending to examine them later.
Betsy exhaled slowly and offered him a tentative smile. “I’m glad you aren’t sending me away. I-I thought I’d done something to displease you.”
“Quite the contrary,” he said. “I am most pleased with you, little one.”
“Then are you saying that youmightsend me away in the future?” she asked, using a cautious tone. Tears remained glimmering in her eyes.
Was she on the verge of crying because he’d frightened her? Or did the idea of being parted from him leave her anguished? He secretly hoped it was the latter, though he wasn’t brave enough to ask her to explain the reason for her tears.
“No, Betsy,” he finally replied, still cupping her face. “That is not what I’m saying. I wanted to know if you were aware some Kall husbands got rid of their wives.” He paused, hesitating to tell her the rest. Obviously, she wasn’t aware of this archaic practice, but they needed to have this conversation just in case anyone ever mentionedushrinato her in passing.
He didn’t want her to live in fear that he might hurt her in this way. He might punish her from time to time, but he would never cause her permanent harm and he certainly wouldn’t take her life. The very idea left him raging inside at all the dishonorable Kall males who’d ever partaken in this practice. He hoped that in his lifetime,ushrinawould be abolished.
Eventually, he continued, keeping his voice gentle. “In my culture, it is legal for a Kall husband to kill his wife if he wishes to end the marriage. This practice is known asushrina.”
She sucked in a sharp breath and the tears finally escaped her eyes. He was quick to brush them away with his thumbs, keeping his movements tender as he held her. He detested the fear that gleamed in her eyes.
“I want you to know that I will never take your life, Betsy, even if our union one day proves to be an unhappy one. I do not approve of this ancient Kall practice and I’ve spoken out againstushrinamany times. Fortunately, it is a rare occurrence these days, but it is my hope it will one day be illegal.” He paused and skimmed a hand gently over her head, aching to soothe her fears. “I promise never to hurt you in this way, I swear it on the souls of my ancestors, and by the ancient gods of Kall, I mean it.”
“Thank you, Merokk,” she said, her voice cracking. “I’m sorry I didn’t understand what you were trying to tell me at first.”
“You need not apologize. Please know that I am not telling you aboutushrinato scare you, little one. I simply wished to preemptively calm your fears, should you ever come to learn about this practice.” He stroked a hand through her auburn locks, reveling in the silkiness of her hair. She shivered at his touch and some of the color returned to her face.
“Well, I’m glad I didn’t know about this practice, or I must confess I would’ve been even more frightened of you when we first met.” She sighed. “I’m glad it isn’t a common occurrence.”
“It is my belief that our leaders will declareushrinaillegal within my lifetime. I have faith that this will happen.” Again, he wished he weren’t so far from his home planet. If he were still on Kall, he could more easily voice his concerns to the High Council. He might have even been rewarded with a position on the High Council, where he could make a real difference, butfluxxhe was stuck with this cursed ambassadorship.
Betsy peered at him, her features now much more relaxed. “I am glad you aren’t cruel, Merokk. I-I meant what I said when I told my father that you were making me feel at home. It’s true. You’ve made me feel welcome in your house.”
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned down, meeting her eyes directly. “It’sourhome, little one.”
* * *
Fiona layawake in Merokk’s arms. Once they settled down for bed—after he claimed her, of course—he’d gathered her into his huge arms. It was the first time he’d really held her while he slept, and despite herself she liked it. She felt safe in his embrace.
How strange that she would feel safe in his arms after the conversation they’d had on the way home tonight. Her mind whirled with all that he’d told her. She still couldn’t believe that some Kall males murdered their wives, simply because they wished to end the marriage.
Well, given what she knew about the Kall, she supposed shecouldbelieve some of them were capable of such cruelty, but it still broke her heart.
But Merokk didn’t approve of the practice and promised he would never harm her. This brought her hope, knowing that he condemned some of his fellow Kall for the brutality they showed their females.
She thought of all the weapons that adorned his walls. He’d been a Kall warrior. Well, he was still a warrior. Even though he now held a post as an ambassador, he regularly traveled to the nearest Kall occupied military base and supervised the training of Kall warriors. He’d even told her he sparred with them and practiced his battle skills almost daily, wanting to stay in top form, just in case his people needed him.
She couldn’t bring herself to ask him how many humans he’d killed during the war, nor could she ask him what part of the world he’d helped conquer. Did his actions during the war make him cruel? Did the comfort she derived from his arms make her a traitor to her people?
Was she no better than the American turncoats she’d condemned?
She closed her eyes, praying for the rescue of sleep. She didn’t want to think anymore tonight. She simply wanted to enjoy the feel of Merokk holding her tight.
Chapter 16
