Page 43 of A Queen’s Game (Aithyr Uprising #1)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Marietta, Before

“ K eyain, 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’t just her guard for long. After their first night together, Marietta had tried to keep things professional, clearly stating that the position wasn’t that type of job; yet somehow, through the tension that was ever present when 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 aggressive male look.” He flicked the elongated tip of his ears and said, “These don’t count as manly. 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 saying man or woman when 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 you still won’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.”

He rolled over, laughing a kiss onto Marietta’s lips. “Well, let’s head to dinner. I think you and I could both use our first-night-in-town drinks.” He shifted up, looking over his shoulder at Marietta. “Plus, there are some people I’d like you to meet.”

A tavern sat on the bottom floor of their inn, making their trip to dinner quick. Marietta’s stomach fluttered, never having met anyone from Keyain’s personal life. As they changed for dinner, he had explained that they’re some friends from Syllogi, who would also return at the week’s end.

Which meant he planned to meet them here, yet he didn’t tell her until that evening. Annoyed, she tried to let it roll off her shoulders, but it irked her. How could he say that he loved her, then take off for six months? It’s been less than six months since they’ve met.

The tavern was hot and stuffy, crowded with travelers and natives to Rotamu.

Stale alcohol, roasted meat, and yeasty bread permeated the air, making Marietta’s stomach growl.

The first night in every city was always her favorite.

A recoup from traveling before she met with her clients, always celebrated with good ale and better food.

Marietta laced her fingers with Keyain as they walked through the dining room of chattering denizens.

Marietta waved to a handful of people she recognized, but didn’t have time to greet them as Keyain wove his way through the long wooden tables.

He came to a stop at a booth where two elvish folks were sitting.

An elven man with dark skin and a bald head flagged them down from across the room.

Next to him sat a pale elven woman with chestnut hair and a tight smile on her angular face.

“Peryn, Rynka, it’s been too long,” Keyain said, sliding into the booth across from them, Marietta following. “I’d like you to meet my partner, Marietta.”

Surprise lined their faces as they looked between Marietta and Keyain. “We weren’t aware you’d found a partner, Keyain,” the man said. “I’m Peryn. This is Rynka.” The elven woman kept a tight-lipped smile, nodding her head. Marietta didn’t miss the fervent glances she gave Keyain.

“It’s lovely to meet you both. Have you visited Rotamu before?” Marietta asked, slipping into the conversation.

“Yes,” Peryn answered, “but briefly. This will be our longest stint in the city. Keyain, I’m assuming you’ve told Marietta when we’re leaving?” The question irked Marietta, for she had only just found out.

“I have. She knows it’s about six months.” Keyain turned to Marietta. “They’re traveling with me back to Satiros.”

“Does that mean Marietta won’t be joining us?” Rynka asked, her gaze turning to Marietta.

“Unfortunately no, she has her empire to run here.” Keyain smiled as he wrapped his arm around her. “Marietta helps businesses in all the cities of Enomenos. Six months would be—”

Marietta cut him off, hating that he spoke for her. “Six months is too long. Every week I’m in a new city meeting with my clients.”

At the edge of her vision, Keyain ground his jaw. He knew better than to speak for her.

“Oh, a business owner, Keyain?” Peryn said, grating Marietta’s nerves as he drove the conversation back to him. “I was a little surprised to learn you’re partnered with a clip, but it seems she comes with quite the pedigree.”