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“Oh, yeah, you are big.” Jessica looked at me, planting her hands on her hips. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you eat. I’m betting Maria is a little freaked out thinking about how much you can consume.”
“I will not need to eat for another Earth week,” I offered. “Though I would love to try small tastes for the experience.”
“Do you eat like a whole animal or something?” Jessica asked. “I can’t believe I never asked. Here we are, married, and it took me this long to realize I’d never seen you eat. I’m so self-centered.”
“It isn’t self-centered to focus on yourself when you are going through periods of difficulty.” A warmth filled me at her words. In my culture, females were expected to focus on themselves. Being mated to one didn’t mean you would get her attention except in fleeting moments when she wanted something.
“Still, I need to know so much about you,” Jessica sighed. “I feel like we need to play catch-up.”
“There is a lovely hiking loop that goes through the ruins,” Maria offered, pointing. “There is also an observational deck as part of the rooms you are renting. It is a lovely place to sit and look out at the view.”
“A hike sounds great.” Jessica bounced her heels up and down. “I could definitely use a little walk before dinner. Let’s go!”
She headed towards the trail and I followed after her, enjoying the way her hair swung in the air as she walked. She had pulled it up and tied it up high on her scalp so it all cascaded down from one point, creating a little tail on her head that moved in a dynamic fashion, brushing her shoulders and the back of her neck as she moved. It allowed me to see the back of her neck and how delicate it was. There were a few light bruises, and seeing them left a sick sensation in my gut.
I absolutely hated what I had done to her.
It had taken all my will power to go through to the end, to wait until the readings on her vitals reported by her wristband had reached the levels indicated in the medical instructions. I hated every moment of it. What I hated the most was that there were small moments that I loved. Sneaking up on her, moving around her, and watching her react to every sound I made with the rattle I’d come up with to mimic one of the more dangerous Earth serpents. I’d enjoyed those little moments of her fear while she still trusted that she was safe, while she still trusted me, before I escalated and fully convinced her she was in genuine danger.
I wanted her trust back.
The first step was making sure she didn’t have to trust.
[ 23 ]
JESSICA
“I have a gift for you.” Aeson was behind me on the trail. It was a little too narrow for us to walk side by side the entire time given that the thickest part of his tail would take up most of a human sized doorway.
I turned to look at him.
He held out a necklace.
It was unique, unlike the jewelry I’d seen most of my life, but still having the eye-catching sparkle and beauty of a good accent piece. The centerpiece featured a winding design, coiling around itself in a complex pattern. The material used was unexpectedly light and shimmered with an iridescent sheen, changing colors as the light shifted.
This winding form was made from a material that had the same warm glow I associated with gold but had a solid weight to it. I adjusted the piece in my hands and it shifted like a living creature.
“This is gorgeous, though,” I held it back out to him, “why is it moving?”
“It settles once you put it on,” he replied. “It adjusts to your form and is currently taking bio readings.”
“What does it do?” I asked. “If it is taking bio readings, does it like send them to you? Is it monitoring my health? I’m not sure if I like that idea.”
“Your wristband already does that.” The smile faded from his lips. “I can show you how to turn it off.”
“How long has it been sending you info on me?” I demanded.
“Since you visited the Norratar doctor,” he replied. “I used it heavily during the… program that you went through to ensure you weren’t in any physical danger. I didn’t feel comfortable doing it without that information as I’m not experienced enough with human bodies.”
“You were experienced enough to give me head,” I pointed out.
“Giving you pleasure is not the same thing as convincing your body that it is in danger,” he pointed out. “On which subject, that is what this necklace is for.”
“To convince my body it's in danger?” I smiled as I deliberately misunderstood him.
“No,” he replied, his tone even and patient, not responding to my bratty poke. “To protect your body from danger. This is a device the Norratar developed after first contact with my species. It is a compression protector and a kinetic force disruptor.”
I stared at him for a long moment.
