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“Uh…” I say. “I’m twenty-seven. I have a degree in linguistics. I practice tai chi.”
That’s all true. I don’t mention the other martial arts I’m versed in.
“So you must speak Aelyd,” he says.
“Of course,” I say, in perfect Aelyd. “It’s a stipulation of the bride program, and I figured I should practice if I was going to take up residence here.”
He chuckles, shaking his head, but he sticks with English. “I always forget you humans all learned the Diavolo dialect,” he says.
My eyes widen, and I blush when I realize he’s making fun of me. “I’m sorry, I didn’t…”
“Of course you didn’t,” he says. “Ganivet is actually quite distinct from Diavolo, and there are twenty other dialects spoken in Solis alone. Don’t worry; I’ll teach you.”
The way he says that makes me think that language isn’t the only thing he wants to teach me—and with the powers of the Gifted, he can touch me without using his hands.
“Thank you,” I say, unsure of what else I’m supposed to say, my gaze flitting between his perfect mouth and his green-black eyes. I don’t know if he can pick up on my body’s subtle cues, but none of this is a performance. I want to touch him.
I want to feel his skin, how smooth and warm it is under my fingertips.
“You don’t need to learn every dialect, of course,” he continues. “I find it helpful for trading, but mostly everyone I deal with learns my language out of respect, and once you become my wife, they will do the same for you.”
I don’t tell him that I’m probably not going to stick around long enough for that.
“And as my future wife, I do believe it’s only fair that I learn more about you.”
I lick my lips, which are suddenly dry. The way he’s looking at me feels like he’s probing me and I have to resist the urge to shift uncomfortably in my seat. Instead, I inch my foot closer to his leg, my toes almost touching him.
Atlas smirks. “So tell me more,” he says. “How did you end up here?”
“The way every human woman does, I assume,” I say, meeting his gaze. I don’t think he thinks I’m lying. There’s no way for him to know the truth. “Things on Earth are getting worse. We can’t swim in the oceans at all anymore, and scientists are working really hard to make water a completely renewable resource, since right now, it looks like we’re running out of it. Temperatures are at a record high, the population is decreasing, and our quality of life is taking a sharp dive. It’s hard to live on Earth right now, so…”
“I didn’t ask you for a brief on the situation on Earth. I asked to know more about you,” he says.
I flash him a smile. That kind of diversion usually works, but I guess he’s smarter than that. “I live on Earth.”
“Not anymore,” he replies. He flashes me a warm smile, his eyes sparkling green for a second.
I stiffen a little. My parents know that I’m on a mission, they know this is dangerous, but they don’t know anything about Layla and the fact that she’s missing. They probably have some idea of it, they’re not clueless, and they definitely understand that my job is dangerous.
But the very idea that they might worry about me the same way Layla’s parents are worried about her makes me feel unsteady and that kind of thing can get me off my game, which isn’t what I want at all.
This man seems to know exactly how to get to me, which I wasn’t expecting. Maybe it’s all the contactless orgasms I’ve had since I got here, but I absolutely need to get my shit together.
He’s a target.
And I definitely need to keep that in mind. What difference does it make if I tell him a bit about myself if he’s going to die in a week, anyway?
“Fine,” I say. “What do you want to know? Childhood traumas? Deepest fears?”
He smirks, leaning back as he sips on his drink. “Truthfully, I was thinking kinks,” he says. “That seems like something I should know about someone before marrying them. But sure, Penelope. We can start wherever you’d like.”
I smile back at him, my heart beating a million miles an hour. Can all Aelyds make me feel like this? “Well, okay,” I say. “In that case, let’s start with you calling me Penn.”
CHAPTER NINE
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PENN
