Chapter 49

Snowe's POV

It's annoying how all Zai has to do is look at me, to send my body into a frenzy. His eyes locked me in place, which was frustrating because of how badly I wanted to touch him.

"Do you remember what I said... during our consummation ceremony?" Zai asked while placing his hands on my shoulders and pinning me to the floor.

"You said a lot of things," I replied bashfully... feeling honestly confused.

"I said... if anyone touched you... I'd rip their throat out." He stated while kissing my inner thigh and looking up at me. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FEEL?!

My brain just shut down.

Before I could collect a single coherent thought, his mouth was on me—and remembering anything became impossible.

By the time we were done, my questions came rushing back… but I was too exhausted to speak. I fell asleep before I realized it.

When I woke up, I panicked. I'd been tucked into bed, and Zai was sitting in the corner of the room—fully dressed, flipping a knife idly in one hand.

"Did you kill him?" I asked, half afraid of the answer.

"…I didn't come here to kill anyone," Zai replied, and I exhaled with relief. "Someone like him can survive injuries like that."

So he did go back to see Smoke...

"I'm not a good person," he said suddenly. "I'm petty. I hold grudges. I lie—sometimes just for fun, to see what I can get away with. And you… you never call me out on it. Even when I think you should."

What is he trying to say…?

"You told me before we got married that you lie all the time. I knew that before I got this attached to you," I said softly. "But I thought it was okay… because I always know when you're lying."

"Oh… do you?" he asked, turning his face to me.

Even in this heavy moment, my heart melted.

"Yes. For example… you lied when you said you didn't care what happened to Cera. You care about all your brothers—even the ones you don't like."

Zai chuckled. "Fair enough."

"And you lied… when you said you weren't upset with me for wanting to work alone."

He went still.

"You were also happy when I didn't realize you were proposing that day. It's true the ritual is common knowledge—but only for Afarions. You weren't surprised I didn't know. You were relieved."

"…Oh," he replied.

"You lie with your expressions too. You always look happy. But most of the time… you're not."

In an instant, he was beside me on the bed. I pulled the comforter up over my chest, trying to shield myself from how intense he looked.

"I guess I can't fool you," he murmured. "I sound manipulative. You're not mad?"

"If our roles were reversed… I think I would've done the same. If you were weak and I could offer you my power, I would. If there were a way to keep us together, I'd take it. And if you left me… I don't think I could stand to suffer that long. I've thought about it a lot. So no… I don't have the right to be mad."

His eyes scanned my face, and I quickly looked away, flustered.

"I did go back and fight your ex again," he admitted. "Third match. He fought better this time. But the second he let his guard down, I dug my fingers into his neck. He aimed for mine, but I dodged. Tore his throat open. Watched him bleed out."

My stomach twisted.

"But then I remembered you begging me not to kill him… so I helped him recover. And we talked."

If Smoke had touched Zai's chest or neck, the poison would've taken effect too quickly to neutralize. He really had taken a risk...

"So… you threatened him?" I asked carefully.

Zai laughed and gave me a real smile—the kind he only wears when he's actually in a good mood.

"Yes. I know it wasn't a big deal to you, but… I was really pissed off."

"It was—no, it is a big deal," I said quickly. "I just don't think it's worth killing anyone over."

"Disrespect is handled differently where I'm from. On Afaria, that kind of thing is practically a death sentence." He laced his fingers through mine. "He asked me to tell you he was sorry. I don't think he'll contact you again. And I'm sorry too. If I'd let him off too easy… I'd have ended up hating him."

So they reached some kind of truce…?

"That's fine… Feels like coming here's been nothing but drama," I muttered.

Zai started kissing my collarbone, and I couldn't help giggling from how much it tickled.

"Yeah… but it's been way more fun than I expected."

I smiled. "Is this what you did with Giga?"

He bit my neck—hard—and I yelped.

"Stop talking," he growled.

"Oh… are you mad?" I teased, rubbing the bite mark. We glared at each other for a moment—then both burst out laughing.

"No. You're the only one I do this with," he said, brushing his lips against my cheek. "I can't resist you."

Why does he say things like that so easily?!

"I… thought it was just me who couldn't resist you," I mumbled. Then his lips were on mine and the comforter was gone—thrown across the room. He bit my bottom lip.

"Ow?! Why?!"

"I want the memories of today to stand out to you," he said, undressing. "Today is important."

"So you bite me?!"

"Pain makes memories stick."

Then he was on top of me.

"I love you," I whispered, and his eyes glowed—bright and wild, lighting up the room as waves of energy pulsed through his hair.

"I love you too."

And when we connected this time, I could feel the fury leave his body. We were supposed to visit my mom today… but that could wait until tomorrow.

When I woke up the next morning, Zai was sitting in the corner again, staring at the wall.

I wonder what he thinks about when I'm sleeping—what kind of thoughts creep in when he's alone.

"We should go," he said suddenly. I hadn't even moved yet. Did the shift of the bed give me away? Or maybe he heard the change in my breathing. He always knows when I'm awake.

"Oh… yeah. I'll get washed and dressed. Sorry for making you wait."

Zai chuckled. "Why are you apologizing? I'm the one who made you so tired."

How dare he say that out loud?! And with a straight face!

But if he's teasing… he must be in a good mood.

Once I was dressed, he stood and walked over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Don't look at me like that or we'll be stuck in here all day again."

"Zai! We can do that after we get home! Stop procrastinating."

He sighed. "Fine. But as soon as we get home, then."

"Zai!" I yelled, flustered, and he laughed as he held up our teleport card and brought us to the front entrance.

"Show me the way to the prison."

I didn't know why he wanted to see my mom—but the wedding was over and they'd definitely kick us out of that room today. And if the cleanup crew walked in on us that would be so embarrassing…

"We have to turn in our key first."

He handed it over and I approached the front desk.

"Oh! Thank you. I hope you enjoyed your stay. And, um, sorry again about our crew member entering your room. You should've activated the Do Not Disturb function if you were… um… preoccupied."

Processing… THEY ENTERED THE ROOM?! And based on that comment, they saw WAY more than I'd ever want anyone to see.

"It's fine!" I squeaked, then bolted back to Zai. "Let's get the heck out of here," I whispered.

He was clearly trying not to laugh. Did he know they came in and just… didn't say anything?!

I teleported us as close to the prison as possible, and Zai carried me the rest of the way—to save time, apparently. He's so efficient. Being with him really does make everything faster.

We told the guards we were visiting someone. They asked for the name, and just like before, looked surprised anyone was here to see her.

She actually looked… happy this time.

"You came back! I'm sorry for calling you a disappointment! After you left, it hit me that you might not come back, and I panicked. I was so happy to have company, I…"

Mom trailed off when she saw Zai. Her eyes widened.

"Who… Who is this?"

"This is my husband, Zaikel," I said.

Her jaw dropped. "I… thought you'd be with that man again. You know they released him from jail, right?"

"For the last time, I was NEVER dating Qon!" I shouted. Zai sat beside me and took my hand under the table.

"I insisted on seeing you while we were nearby," Zai added—and I swear my mom swooned.

Gross.

"Snowe looks a lot like you," he said, and I groaned inside.

"HOW long have you been together?" she asked eagerly.

"About five months," Zai answered.

"I knew it! You'd be living off some m—"

She caught herself and cleared her throat.

"My brother found her chained up and bruised in the forest near our house," Zai said calmly. "He could tell she'd been through something traumatic. We let her stay with us. I seduced her—not the other way around. Just so you know."

His smile practically turned her into stone. My mom visibly shrank into her seat like a scolded child.

"I… don't know how it happened, but I escaped Qon and ended up outside their house," I added.

She looked around, clearly unsure how to respond.

"Fine, whatever… Well, aren't you lucky, then?" she said. "You ended up marrying this handsome man. I'm jealous."

I squeezed Zai's hand and he kissed my forehead, grounding me.

"I just wanted to see the woman who raised my wife," he said. "You're the lucky one…" I blinked. Wait—what? "…That you're locked in here. Because if those guards weren't protecting you, you'd be dead right now."

Oh. Dang.

He's mad!