Page 12

Nell

A combination of light streaming in from the window and soft snoring woke Nell the next morning. She sat up in bed, staring at Maklr’s sleeping form. His head rested on his bicep, and his back was to the bed, affording Nell as much privacy as possible during the night.

She rolled out of the opposite side of bed and brushed her teeth before making her way into the kitchen.

When she arrived at the cabin the previous day, she tossed her tablet on the kitchenette’s table.

She tapped it, grateful it still held charge.

She logged into the resort’s page and smiled as she tapped on ‘Guest Amenities’, placing an order.

Her tablet now charging, she smiled at her plan.

In the small chiller, she found the porridge Maklr used for breakfast earlier and more fruit. She set about making the same meal he prepared their first full day at the resort.

“Good morning,” Maklr said. “I’ll be out of your way in a moment.”

“I made breakfast.”

Three words. Maklr turned. “Breakfast?” He held a clean shirt and pants in his hand. “You cooked for me?”

Nell held the pot with the porridge. “Not really.”

Maklr smiled. “I’ll be back in a few minutes to do a taste test.” He disappeared into the bathroom.

Nell heard the shower start, and began cutting the fruit.

She couldn’t help but feel a connection to Maklr.

He’d only ever been professional towards her, but she was drawn to him.

He was a constant feature in her dreams. After her nightmare, she instantly settled knowing he was nearby. He was the only difference.

When Maklr stepped into the kitchen, his white hair hung damp around his bronze horns.

“Breakfast is served.” Nell slid two bowls on the table.

Maklr pushed the tablet closer to her.

“I’m going to try to talk. I decided last night.”

“Why did you change your mind?” Maklr spooned porridge and fruit against the side of the bowl.

“I feel like I’m being crushed by this enormous weight, and it’s preventing me from taking a step forward.” Dark lashes hid Nell’s eyes.

Maklr lowered his arms when his claws lengthened. He winced as they punctured the underside of the table. He forced himself to remain calm lest he frighten her. “From where I stand, you’ve made the first step toward healing.”

Nell nodded. “What are we going to do today?”

Maklr looked out the window. “It’s raining. Unless you’re up for a walk in the rain, would you show me where you grew up in the holo-suite?”

“I can do that.”

“What’s that delicious smell?” Maklr’s deep voice called from the living room.

“I’m making a version of an empanada,” Nell said, raising her voice above her typical level, not looking up from the oil boiling on the stove.

“What’s that?” Maklr padded into the kitchen.

“Yikes! When did you get in here? How were you so quiet?” She yelped and jumped back straight into Maklr’s body, startled at the sound of his voice directly behind her.

Her hands trembled and hit the wooden spoon in the pan of hot oil.

Droplets splattered over Nell, the cooking surface and countertop.

She threw her injured hand in the air and rushed toward the sink. “Ah, damn. I need cold water.”

“It wasn’t my intention to startle you.” Maklr fiddled with the faucet until cold water ran into the sink. “How bad is it?” he asked, turning off the cooking surface before removing the pan of hot oil.

“It’s nothing that hasn’t happened before.

” Nell didn’t bother to look up. Her gaze focused on her oil-splattered hand under the running water.

She missed the massive scowl crossing Maklr’s face.

“I’ll be right back,” Maklr said. Nell made a non-committal sound.

The sound of wood creaking against wood filtered into the kitchen from the hallway.

She heard him muttering to himself as he opened drawers and moved contents around.

“Found it,” he called. Maklr emerged from the bathroom brandishing a portable regen wand.

“It’s not the newest model, but it’s a decent one.

Come here, let me run the regen wand over your injury and it’ll be good as new in a few minutes. ”

Nell peered at him through strands of her dark hair. “I, um,” she began.

“If you want to use it yourself, you can. Press here and the wand will turn on. Hold it a finger length away from your skin and slowly run the wand back and forth over the injury. It will heal your burn in a matter of minutes.” He placed the regen wand on the counter and stepped back, taking a seat at the table.

Nell’s uninjured hand darted out to grab the wand. She followed his instructions over the burn. A smile flitted across her face.

“How’s the pain?” Maklr asked.

“The pain is gone. I wish I had access to one of these on the harem ship,” she whispered. Once powered off, Nell raised the regen wand for a closer inspection. “This is amazing technology. I never expected to see one up close, let alone use one.”

“They didn’t have one?” Maklr asked from his seat at the table. Nell shook her head, unable to trust her voice. “What happened when…” Maklr trailed off. “We dealt with it. Some survived. Some didn’t.” Nell shrugged. “That’s life.”

Maklr frowned, his white eyebrows scrunched together. “That’s not how things are supposed to be.”

“It’s the way of the universe.”

“It shouldn’t be.”

“You’re idealistic. It’s noble, but not sustainable. I worked in an Elodian brothel, and then the harem ship.”

“Brothel?” Maklr shoved his fist to the side so Nell didn’t see him clenching it, or the droplets of blood that pooled in his palm from his claws poking into the soft skin.

“Yes.”

“How long were you there before you were rescued?”

“I don’t know. They didn’t let us have clocks or anything.

And the calendars, I mean, year system, uh, revolutions,” she clarified at Maklr’s confused expression, “are different here. I can’t be sure how long it’s been since I left Earth.

Earlier when we were in the holo-suite, I tried to approximate what it looked like. My memories are hazy.”

“Did you,” Maklr paused, deciding against finishing his question.

“I hated every minute. I complied because I didn’t want to die.”

“I never thought you enjoyed it.”

“Some did.”

“Nell, you never have to justify anything you did for your survival to me. I am proud of you.” She stared at Maklr in disbelief. “You survived when so many others didn’t. You might think I’m idealistic, but I have seen the aftermath.”

“Yeah, well,” Nell trailed off, resting the regen wand on the table. “I’ll finish cooking. I was almost done.”

“Would you like me to finish while you sit and relax?” Maklr asked.

A smile toyed on Nell’s lips. “I enjoy cooking.”

“Should I put this away then?” Maklr held the regen wand.

“I won’t need it again as long as you let me know when you’re walking back into the kitchen.”

“I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m sorry, Nell.”

“It’s okay. I don’t like it when people come up behind me.”

Maklr’s mohawk flopped as he bowed his head. “Apologies. I’ll remember to let you know where I am next time.”

“Thank you.” Nell placed the oil back on the cooking surface. “These should only be a few more minutes.”

Maklr’s weight pushed the chair against the floor, making a sharp scraping noise, his footsteps heavy. “You don’t have to stomp,” Nell called.

“I don’t want to startle you again.”

“Mm hm.” Nell turned, a half smile on her face. She said nothing, but flipped the flaky pastry in the pan.

Throughout dinner, she remained quiet. Maklr looked like he wanted to ask her more questions, but refrained.

“Thank you for fixing me,” she murmured before finishing the last bite of her dinner. “You cooked, I clean?” Maklr stood to take their plates. “Please, let me. I need to.”

Maklr stepped back, recognizing her need for control. “Do you accept my apology?”

“Nothing to apologize for. I didn’t hear you come into the kitchen.” Nell busied herself around the kitchen, washing and drying the plates and wiping down the countertop with meticulous attention to detail.

Maklr relaxed on the couch watching a video on the screen that covered the entire wall.

Nell headed to her room and took a long, hot shower.

She scrubbed her hair with her fingernails until her scalp almost bled.

Her skin turned red from the pressure she used with the washcloth.

She dried and dressed in her comfortable baggy black pajamas and wrapped a towel around her hair.

“No turning back now, Nell,” she gave herself a pep talk.

“It’s Maklr. He’s safe. You can go back out there and relax like a normal person. ” She snorted. “Normal.”

Nell took a tentative step into the room. Maklr’s head swiveled. “Hello.”

“Hi,” Nell said shyly.

“Want to watch the show with me?” Maklr asked.

“I don’t know what it is,” Nell said.

“It’s a show about a woman who finds old things and fixes them so they’re usable again. You’ll be able to pick it up quickly, and I can explain who everyone is if you’d like.” Maklr grinned. “Charlie got me into the show. She said it’s something called reality television.”

“Can I watch with you?”

“Of course. It might be a tight fit with both of us, but we’ll make it work.”

Nell cautiously sat on the couch. Maklr’s forehead scrunched into a half-dozen lines as he regarded Nell and the redness on her arms from the shower. Finally, he said, “I’m a good listener.”

“I don’t want to talk about it. It’s from the shower. I scrubbed a bit too hard.” Nell tried to swallow past the lump in her throat. “You really are a good guy, aren’t you?” she asked. She watched as he flinched at the word good.

“I am no more and no less than whatever you need me to be. On my honor, I will promise that I will never harm you.”

“I know.”

Sitting next to him, she realized how large Maklr was. His shoulders scrunched together, arms folded on his lap. “I’m sorry,” she murmured.

“For what?”

“That can’t possibly be a comfortable position for you. You can move your arms.”

Maklr shook his head. “I can’t. Not without touching you.”

“It’s okay.”

Maklr narrowed his eyes, searching her face. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Nell whispered.

Her body tensed as Maklr unfolded his arms. “I’m going to move my arm behind you.”

“Okay.”

Maklr shifted his position on the couch, resting his forehead against hers. Careful to keep his claws retracted, his hand reached to caress her cheek. “You’re beautiful.” Nell flushed. She opened her mouth to protest, but Maklr rested his thumb over her lips. “No. Don’t deny it. You are beautiful.”

Nell’s eyes fluttered shut, dark lashes fanning across her delicate skin.

Maklr tilted her chin, and her lips parted slightly.

Unable to resist temptation, he lowered his lips toward her waiting mouth.

He groaned in pleasure at the softness of her lips before deepening the kiss.

His tongue darted out to lick the seam of her parted lips before delving into her mouth.

Nell lost herself in the pleasure of the kiss.

She wrapped one hand around his neck, pulling his body closer to hers while her other hand reached to squeeze his muscular arm.

Her heart thudded in her chest. She skimmed her fingers over his bicep and across his muscular chest, resting her palm over his collarbone.

Maklr’s hand traced the graceful line of her neck, his palm heating her skin.

Nell groaned into Maklr’s mouth, pulling him closer.

Without warning, Maklr broke away.

Lips swollen from the kiss, a flush covered Nell’s cheeks as her eyes flashed open. Her chest heaved as she fought to catch her breath. “Now I know what being kissed senseless means,” Nell said. She didn’t recognize the sultry voice as her own.

“I’m sorry,” Maklr said.

“For what?”

“I shouldn’t have kissed you.” Regret filled Maklr’s voice.

A strangled sob wrenched in Nell’s throat. She sprinted into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her. As she stared at her reflection in the mirror with silent tears streaming down her cheeks, Nell chanted, “I am not broken. I am not broken.”