The Empty Ones (Fantasy Romance)

56. The road to intimacy

This morning he is wearing a black shirt, as black as that coffee drink he likes. His hair is loose and his eyes red as if he didn't sleep a lot. He whispers a half hearted "Morning," and proceeds to slam a book on the table.

I was in the library very early, as soon as I left Laini's rooms. The variety of coffee she served me was so good I drank three cups and then felt a sudden burst of energy.

"You served me only half knowledge," I say, looking at him over the pages of the journal. I can't help my tone from being a bit teasing.

He raises an eyebrow but doesn't smile.

"I let you read what's not life threatening for me."

"So you don't trust me," I say matter of factly.

"I barely know you. Trust needs to be earned and all that. And unfortunately for you, you start in a very bad position," he states. He took the teasing seriously. And now I am irritated too a bit.

"Then why am I here again?" Why do I even ask this? If I upset him he will change his mind and I will be back to my old life.

I am so pathetic. It only took a neatly written journal to spike my interest to such a degree that even contemplating it to stop is causing me major displeasure. There really isn't anything in my life worthwhile...

"For the reasons we debated ourselves in a weird corner yesterday. Everything is still valid. I still think you can help me. And you don't seem to mind."

"How can I make you trust me?" Though I know the answer; it takes time and effort.

"I don't know."

The answer is unexpectedly genuine yet his voice sounds sad. I keep my gaze on him.

"I really don't. Unfortunately for you, you are the wife of my enemy."

He said it out loud. I am stunned. It's as I would say that I hate my husband.

"Don't look at me like that; it's a known secret that that your husband is coveting my country. Since he is ruling alone, or with the sorry excuse of an Alsayid, he moved more or less subtlety into that direction. The Grand God, or luck, made that we found the way to weaponize Nanite, else we would be his vasals, just like Almeida, being stripped of their resources and identity bit by bit."

"I uh... Don't know what to say."

"You can start by telling him he is acting like a warmongering tyrant. It's an option..."

I can sure tell him this if I am tired of being able to walk or talk.

"Why doesn't Laini? She is at least the first spare wife." I am definitely not mature enough to not get emotional.

He is frowning and biting his teeth together. One light-blue vein is visible on his temple. I know I did something really stupid. What if he hurts me?

"Yeah. She probably did and she probably told you it doesn't matter what any of us says."

"This day is a nightmare. I am sorry," he says and walks out.

And I... I have no idea what I did. Except killing whatever this was before it even began.

I am so impossibly angry with myself and with my inability to interact with people.

A part of me wants to leave but another wants to make it right, whatever this was.

The problem is that I barely know him and there was a particular time in my past when I wanted to make things right and the result was a split lip courtesy of Salma.