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Lies of Omission

*Ren*

D aylight awakened me, streaming through the leaves of some monstrous fern that’d claimed my temporary bedroom window as its home. I stretched, blinking lazily before the memory of what house I was in—and whose bed I’d borrowed—returned to plague me.

I jolted up with a shudder. It had been easy to shove the facts out of my head last night, when I was exhausted enough to sink into a dreamless sleep. But in the cold light of day, a shiver chased up my spine. I tore the covers off my legs and clambered out, trying to wash the image of my brother-in-law’s face from my brain.

I’d kill for a damn coffee right about now. No such luck on Dionus. They’d never imported the beans, though I wagered they’d have no trouble growing plenty, if anyone had the desire. Could be a nice gift for Karln. Bet she’d have it growing in no time, if she could scrounge up some space in that crowded garden.

What was I thinking? I’d probably never see Karln after today. For some reason, the thought didn’t sit well.

As I finger combed my hair and straightened my sleep-rumbled clothes, my lips tingled. That kiss… Why had I thought kissing Jalen was a good idea?

It wasn’t that it was bad—truth be told, it was the best damn kiss I’d ever experienced. And yeah, he’d looked like every woman’s wet dream bathed in moonlight, his muscles flexing as he kept us both afloat. But I should’ve resisted. Now it would be impossible not to recall how fucking incredible he tasted when I ought to be mad at him.

I’d broken the kiss as soon as my lust-drunk mind remembered that he wasn’t being entirely honest with me. I mean, how could I have figured out we were mates first? As a native, he had to know what those tablets were for. It seemed pretty damn likely he was keeping me in the dark.

But when I’d called him out for it, he’d fed me that dumb half-assed confession instead. I couldn’t care less if he lost some stupid duel. I needed to know if we were mates. As soon as he woke, I’d ask him point-blank. It was time for answers.

I slipped into the hall on silent feet. Wouldn’t be very kind of me to tromp around waking everyone while they were still sleeping. Only the hum of voices quickly alerted me they were already up. I was on the verge of clearing my throat and calling good morning when I froze in my tracks.

“Don’t be a stranger once you’re mated. I swear Rhelt never comes home anymore now that he has Cassidy,” Karln said, sounding a bit peeved.

My eyes widened and my heartbeat thrashed in my ears.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Auntie,” Jalen answered. “The future’s not written in granite yet.”

Karln’s scoff set my nerves on edge. “They say fated for a reason. If you’re both feeling the heat, then—”

“I know. Just… save me the lecture, please. I have a lot on my mind already.”

Why does he sound so frustrated? I cursed myself for the thought. I should be livid right now. Raging. There was no question anymore if he knew. Jalen was fully aware that we were mates—and he was choosing to keep me in the dark.

I should’ve stormed in there and demanded answers. But that wasn’t what happened. I tiptoed backward, worrying my lip between my teeth. Then I slammed my bedroom door shut before shuffling down the hall.

“Good morning,” I bellowed as I stepped into the living room.

“Good morning.” Jalen greeted me with that same stupid, sunshiny grin he always wore. And when my belly fluttered in response, I cursed myself for the second time that morning.

“I’m ready to head out when you are,” I announced curtly. His smile lost a little luster but didn’t fall before I tore my gaze off him and strode into the kitchen.

“Did you sleep all right?” Karln asked. “I hope Rhelt’s mattress wasn’t too lumpy. I’ve been meaning to replace the filling.”

“It was fine. Thank you.” I forced a grin for her sake and snagged a piece of haldi bread off the platter she held.

She smiled back warmly. “You’re welcome, Ren. It was such a pleasure having visitors. I’d love it if you came back again soon.”

“Um… Thanks.” I bit into the bread, hoping that if I stuffed my mouth, she’d give the doting-mother routine a rest.

It felt wrong in a visceral way. She was offering me something that I’d always craved but had never been given—a parent’s love. Getting such a tiny taste, here in the wild of what was supposed to be a barbaric world, made tears of longing well in my eyes.

I turned aside, blinking furiously.

And because luck was clearly not playing nice, Jalen noticed, his brow etched with concern. “You all right?”

I nodded and faked a cough. “Swallowed wrong.” I rubbed my eyes before shoving the last bite of bread into my mouth.

“Perhaps you shouldn’t take such big bites.” Karln chuckled, seeming to miss the tension simmering in the air. “Here you go, Ren. Freshly filled from the village well.”

She handed me a thermos, and I smiled gratefully before I swallowed. “Thanks again.”

“It’s my pleasure.” Karln shooed me with a deft flick of the wrist. “Go on, then. You ought to head out if you want to make it a good distance on the trails before nightfall.”

Jalen pulled her into a hug. “We’ll talk soon.”

I strode out the front door, fighting back tears once again. And this time, I wasn’t sure it was only from that sweet woman’s kindness.

Why hasn’t he told me? His words to his aunt kept ringing in my ears. It wasn’t what he’d said so much as his tone. The frustration had been easy to spot, but was there more behind it? Fear… Disappointment.

Was he keeping the truth from me because he didn’t want me? No one’s ever wanted you before. Why should it be any different now?

Jalen joined me on the porch, his gaze sliding down my limbs slowly enough it made liquid pool in my belly. “Thought you’d be wearing your skinsuit today.”

Shit. I’d planned to change out of the short Dionion skirt and tank before we left, but that idea flew out the window when Karln got all motherly with me. I couldn’t fathom going back in there now. “Doesn’t matter. I’ll change later.”

“If you’re certain.” He offered me a pack. “Karln insisted you take this to replace the one you lost. Your clothes are inside, along with some snacks and necessities.”

I swallowed thickly. “That was nice of her.” Too nice. I snagged the bag, feeling more uncomfortable than I should’ve.

Jalen’s eyes narrowed. “You’re acting strange. What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?”

Scowling, I set off down the cramped path. “I’m not used to having someone dote on me. I’m an orphan, remember? And unlike you, I didn’t have some kindly relative to take me in. Just a flawed system that stuck me in a tin can out in space, where I grew up alone and forgotten.”

I winced, hardly believing what had spewed out of me. I never shared anything about my past. Not with Arda, or Zen. Not with anyone.

“Ren!” Jalen’s footsteps pounded behind me. “Wait.”

No thanks. I planted one foot in front of the other, wishing I could outrun the pain of my past just like I was running from him. But everything catches up in the end, doesn’t it?

Jalen caught me before I made it out of his aunt’s garden and onto the street. His fingers closed around my forearm tightly enough to make me gasp.

“Let go of me,” I hissed, glaring daggers at his hand. Horrible, sickening memories fought to surface, making me quiver in place.

He dropped my arm instantly. “I’m sorry.” The depth of emotion in the simple phrase made me certain he wasn’t just apologizing for grabbing me. It was for my confession. For my sad excuse of a childhood that no one should have to suffer through.

I drew a deep breath, willing the maddening wash of shame and rage roiling within me to subside. “It’s fine. Let’s go.” I turned on my heel and sped through the village streets, not caring if Jalen followed.

Fuck. No wonder Jalen didn’t want me. I couldn’t even stand feeling his hand wrapped around my arm for two seconds without freaking out.

Thankfully, the streets were far less crowded than they’d been the day before. Everyone probably slept in after dancing half the night away. But one familiar face appeared just before we reached the gates.

“Ren.” Demi ducked out of the shadows of a nearby porch and jogged toward us. “Can’t let my sis leave without a hug goodbye.”

I summoned my first genuine smile of the day. “Demi. I’m gonna miss you.” A sigh spilled out of me as his arms wrapped around me tightly. I closed my eyes, but not before I spotted Jalen stiffening, his jaw clenched.

Whatever. His little show of jealousy wouldn’t stop me from enjoying a hug from one of the few men in the universe I could actually trust. I’d thought I could add Jalen’s name to that list, but not any longer. Not while he was actively lying to me through omission.

I squeezed Demi tightly. “How much longer are you planning to slum it on Dionus?”

“Not too much longer.” He pulled back, smiling. “My work here is close to complete. This is my last stop before I head back to deliver one more translator upgrade to Harlxston and start looking for a new gig.”

“If you need a ride out of the system, I bet Arda would be happy to lend you a guest room on the Verne . We could catch up more during the flight.”

“Hm… You know what? That sounds great. Guess I’ll see you soon, then.” He squeezed my forearm—in the same spot that still burned with the ghostly remnants of Jalen’s touch—and released me.

Jalen’s voice rang out, far deeper and gruffer than normal. “Demetri.” With a curt nod, he brushed past him and marched to the gate.

“See you around, Jay.” Demi wiggled his brows and lowered his voice to a hushed murmur. “Someone woke up on the wrong side of the mat today.”

I stifled a giggle. “Or with a stick up his ass.”

Demi’s lips thinned. “I know it’s useless to try to convince you to stay, but promise me you’ll be careful out there. Those poachers are no joke.”

“I will.” With a wave, I strode into the jungle.