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CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Maria lay sprawled out on a deliciously padded massage table, her body washed and warmed, scrubbed clean with mineral soaps and a light sonic vibratory deep-clean which was the only bit of advanced tech she’d encountered since their arrival, and that lone piece of equipment was cleverly disguised, hidden in a wooden carving, doing its work invisible to guests.

The results, however, were very apparent.

The way it shook a person’s cells as it cleansed them served two purposes.

Yes, it removed dirt, grime, and dead skin, but it also energized the living pigment tattooed in their flesh.

It was a big energy boost, at least for those who had their runes properly completed.

In Maria’s case, however, she’d been left crippled as far as the runes’ power was concerned, and in violation of the law at that.

After she shed her clothes and placed them in the bin in their room to be cleaned, Zepharos had advised her to be sure to keep her incomplete Infala from any up-close scrutiny.

“We are welcome guests, but a violation of Dotharian law could change that, regardless of who we know.”

“Noted,” she agreed, slipping into what had to be the softest robe she’d ever worn .

It felt like her entire body was being hugged by a giant marshmallow made of dandelion fluff crossed with the cuddliest animal she could imagine. In short, it was perfect.

She’d left Zepharos alone. He said he needed to sit and think on things a bit now that they were in a safe place. “A short meditation. I’ll join you after you are done for dinner.”

“Suit yourself. More hot water for me.”

“It’s a natural spring, Maria. I don’t think it runs out.”

She grinned wide, happier than she should have been, smacking him playfully on the shoulder. “Always so literal. I’ll see you soon.”

“That you will.”

It was a short walk to the spa area for a welcome soak and scrub, and Maria certainly put it to very good use.

She then made her way to the nearby room where she was told her masseuse would be waiting.

Despite their visit being comped, Zepharos had insisted she take a few credit chits with her to tip them.

His considerate attention to the service staff rubbed her the right way.

How he treated them without thought of how they could be of use to him was a sign of a man’s character.

He wasn’t trying to get anything. It was just what he did, it was that simple.

And the masseuse more than earned every penny, or whatever unit of currency they used on the chit thingies.

She worked Maria’s body with powerful hands, kneading and massaging where the muscles required loosening, switching to more gentle sweeping motions almost akin to a lymphatic massage in more tender areas, helping her body process the lactic acid out of her system and pump fresh blood into every nook and cranny of her cellular matrix.

“My God, you’re incredible,” she moaned as the woman dug her meaty thumbs into her lower back, pressing out to her hips until the muscles stretched and relaxed, a few vertebrae as well as her hips popping audibly as the tension finally released .

“You’re carrying a lot of tension in your legs and bottom, not to mention your back.”

“We’ve been on a hike,” Maria replied, leaving it at that. It wasn’t a lie. It just wasn’t the entire truth. A reasonable compromise, she thought.

“How romantic.”

“In a way, yeah, I suppose it is.”

“You suppose ?”

“It is .”

“Better. While you’re here, I’ve found people get the most of their stays by embracing the romance in the air. There have been quite a few babies made on these premises. Bonded couples, of course. I see you two are of different races. Are you and your mate Infala bonded?”

Maria had learned it was better to simply let people have their assumptions than get into the complexities of correcting them, especially given her and her rescuer’s tenuous situation.

“We’re not, actually.”

“Ah, too bad. Unless you didn’t want a child. It could always be done in a lab as is common in such situations, but there’s something to be said for a natural fertilization.”

“Well, we’re not looking to have a little one just yet.”

“Enjoying the consequence-free fun, then? Good for you.”

It took Maria a minute before she realized what the woman was talking about.

Of course. You can’t get pregnant here if you’re not bonded. Duh.

Now that she remembered, however, gears were turning in her mind.

Maria changed the topic, switching to inquiring about this spa resort and how it came to be, along with if the woman enjoyed working there.

It seemed this was a choice gig, and one people waited years just to get an interview for.

Exclusive. Private. And because Zepharos knew some prince back home, they were reaping the benefits.

She avoided having her Infala examined with the excuse that she and her man were meeting for dinner, and she had to cut the massage short, though she’d have loved nothing more than to linger a bit longer.

“Enjoy. Our chefs are second to none.”

“If they’re half as skilled as you are at your craft, I have little doubt,” she replied, slipping all of the credit chits into the woman’s hand.

“Oh, there is no need. Your visit has been?—”

“Please. You’ve done wonders for me.”

The masseuse hesitated a moment then gave a little nod, pocketing the currency. “Thank you. Very generous.”

“And thank you . I feel like a new woman.”

Maria slipped on her robe and headed for the door.

“Enjoy the rest of your stay.”

“We will.”

She headed back to their private little bungalow, wondering just how much money Zepharos had given her to tip with. Judging by the reaction, it was apparently a considerable sum.

She found him dressed in crisp, clean attire, a loose-fitting outfit that was basic, comfortable, and accentuated his natural attributes in a delightful way. He turned to mark her arrival with a cheerful little grin.

“You look happy.”

“Oh my God, I feel incredible . You don’t know what you missed.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. There are some clothes for you over there. Our own will be laundered and returned in the morning.”

“What don’t they do for us here? ”

“I haven’t found that out yet,” he said with an amused grin. “Are you hungry?”

“Famished.”

“Then get dressed. Dinner is sure to be something special.”

As it turned out, it was even better than her already high expectations. There were other couples present, but all were seated in private booths of woven reeds, keeping them all in their own worlds, out of sight and earshot of each other.

Then there was the food itself. Their dinner service was essentially an alien tapas tasting with myriad remarkable flavors and textures presented for them to sample.

The range was broad, with hot and cold served along with complementary wines and coolers.

Every last detail was perfectly curated, from the remarkable amuse-bouche, to the steady stream of bites, down to the final flight of sweet liqueurs, each small glass matching its accompanying dessert.

When they finally finished, the pair were full but not uncomfortably so, and their bodies were positively aglow from the food and alcohol.

Not inebriated by a long shot, but comfortably buzzing and feeling no pain.

By the time they left both were in the absolute best of spirits and utterly relaxed. Maria leaned against Zepharos’s muscular frame, lacing her fingers through his. She felt him tense slightly, his energy shifting toward the uncomfortable.

“Relax. You said it yourself. We need to blend it.”

“Uh, but?—”

“Just go with it, okay? Trust me.”

She could feel his pulse thundering through his palm, which had become quite a bit hotter all of a sudden.

It seemed the man accustomed to being the forward one was taken quite off-guard by being the recipient rather than instigator.

But despite his momentary surge of tension, his shoulders slowly relaxed as they walked, easing into the moment and simply enjoying it.

Maria felt the shift, the vibe returning to what they’d had when they’d finished dinner. They both felt good, and now that he’d eased up, walking hand in hand was as natural as breathing.

She turned and pulled him off the trail, reveling in the safety of the area. Nothing would come after them. Not tonight.

“Come on, let’s explore.”

“Uh—”

“My turn. I lead, you follow, okay?”

His cheeks flushed slightly. “Very well.”

She wandered through the trees, moving away from the illumination of the buildings but easily seeing the way, pleasantly surprised to find the plants in this valley had a sort of natural bioluminescence, providing them enough light to safely walk wherever they saw fit.

It’s got to be from the minerals in the springs he was talking about, she mused, utterly enchanted by their surroundings. She looked up at Zepharos’s face and saw he was just as in the moment as she was. She squeezed his hand and pulled harder.

“Over here. This way. I think I see a pool.”

Sure enough, they had walked far from the retreat area but had managed to find one of the natural pools dotting the landscape.

Maria let go of his hand and started undressing.

“What are you doing?”

“What does it look like I’m doing? We’re going skinny dipping.”

“But this pool is unmarked. We don’t know if it’s safe.”

She kicked off her sandals and slipped her foot into the water. “It’s perfect.” Her clothes landed in a pile in a hurry, then she waded in, submerging up to her neck. “You coming?”

He stared at her, a look of shock on his face. “You continue to surprise me.”

“Good. Now get in here. ”

Zepharos quickly undressed, his cock dangling thick and long in the warm night air. Unlike previously, she openly watched him as he waded into the water, and he stared back, quite un-shy as she rose to greet him.

“Better, see?”

“It is quite nice. A little soak will?—”