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... keep it up, be possessive.. Show me how much you wish to possess me," he said 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 tongue found me, and remembering anything became impossible.
Time blurred past. We were tangled up in each other, in multiple positions. I couldn't think of anything else, but the moment we were done, the questions came rushing back.
Unfortunately, I was too exhausted to speak. I fell asleep before uttering a word.
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.
It looked like he'd been thinking all night... and I wondered if he'd gone to fight Smoke again.
"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 just intended to talk, but he admitted something to me... something that ticked me off further. Sorry, Snowe, 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 never call me out on it. Even when I think you should. I get reckless because I know you'll always forgive me."
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 admitted softly. Zai looked up at me with a surprised look. As if he wasn't expecting me to say that. "But I thought it was okay… because I always know when you're lying," I added.
"Oh… do you?" he asked, his lips twisting into a smirk.
Even in this heavy moment, my heart melted.
Now isn't the time to ask about what happened with Smoke while I was sleeping. Zai... is upset.
Chosen rarely sleep. He must have spent the entire night awake, replaying yesterday while I slept beside him. It's time to cheer him up.
"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," I noted.
He raised his eyebrows, and his eyes searched over me for a moment.
"Fair enough," he said, sighing in resignation. "I was so mad when he hurt you... I'm surprised you could still tell I cared about that bastard."
"And you lied… when you said you weren't upset with me for wanting to go to work alone," I muttered
His shoulders stiffened, and his smile faded.
"You were also happy when I didn't realize you were proposing that day. The ritual is indeed common knowledge, but only for Afarions. You weren't surprised I didn't know. You were relieved," I said with my eyes cast to the floor. I could still feel him watching me silently.
"…Oh," he uttered. He sounded confused and troubled by my confession.
"You lie with your expressions too. You always look happy. But most of the time… you're not," I commented, fidgeting with my fingers.
In an instant, he was beside me on the bed. I pulled the comforter up over my chest, trying to shield myself from his intense stare.
"I guess I can't fool you," he murmured. "You really can tell when I'm lying... 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, so dying together sounds better. Maybe that makes us both crazy. I've thought about it a lot. So no… I don't have the right to be mad," I answered.
His eyes lingered on me, and I couldn't take it anymore, so I looked away, flustered.
"I went back and fought 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 retaliated and aimed for mine, but I wouldn't allow him that satisfaction. I thought about killing him... since there were no witnesses," 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… The longer I sat here thinking about what he'd done, the angrier I got."
"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 declaration of war. Losing a fight you started is a death sentence," Zai muttered as 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. I wish I were mature enough to let it go with fighting him again… but if I'd let him off too easily… this anger would fester, and I'd have ended up hating him. That would kill me."
So they reached some kind of truce…?
"That's fine… Feels like coming here's been nothing but drama," I mumbled.
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," he confessed.
I smiled.
"Is this what you did with Giga?" I teased.
Zai paused and clicked his tongue.
He then bit my neck hard, and I yelped.
"Stop talking," he growled.
"Oh… are you mad?" I teased further, 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. I want to touch you, kiss you, and drown you in affection for no reason other than loving 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 thrown across the room.
He bit my bottom lip, drawing blood.
"Ow?! Why?!" I complained, licking at the wound.
"I want the memories of today to stand out to you," he said, undressing. "Today is important."
"So you bite me?!"
"Pain makes memories sharper," he replied playfully.
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," Zai said softly.
He cupped my cheeks and looked at me as if he couldn't believe I was real.
When we connected this time, I could feel the fury leave his body. He held me gently; every movement was filled with affection.
We were supposed to visit my mom today… but that could wait until tomorrow.
When I woke up the next morning, I was starving.
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. I wish I could keep him company on those long nights.
"We should go," he said suddenly. I hadn't even moved yet.
How does he always know when I'm awake.
Did the shift of the bed give me away? Or maybe he heard the change in my breathing.
"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. I have no right to complain about the wait."
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 had clothes on, he stood and walked over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist.
Zai put his fingers under my chin and tilted my head to meet his eyes.
I gazed up at him, and then he whispered,
"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! It's time to visit the prison! Stop procrastinating."
He sighed.
"Fine. But as soon as we get home, then," he murmured, caressing my cheek.
"Zai!" I yelled, flustered, and he laughed as he held up our teleport card, bringing us to the front entrance.
"Show me the way to the prison," Zai demanded.
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 later today. If the cleanup crew walked in on us getting it on, it would be so embarrassing…
"We have to turn in our key first," I explained.
He handed it over, and I approached the front desk alone.
"Oh! Thank you," the receptionist began, "I hope you enjoyed your stay. And, um, sorry again about our crew member entering your room yesterday. You should've activated the Do Not Disturb function if you were… um… preoccupied," she cleared her throat, "Your husband paid for an extra night, so all is well," she assured.
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 notice people coming into the room and… didn't say anything?!
We teleported as close to the prison as possible, and Zai carried me the rest of the way to save time.
I gave him the directions, and we were there faster than I could blink. Being with him made the impossible seem effortless.
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.
My mom actually looked… happy this time.
I sat down at the table in the room, as the officer in the room led her to the chair across from me.
Her wrists and ankles were shackled by suppressant chains, and she looked thinner than last 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 don't get visitors often. I shouldn't have run you off, I…"
Mom trailed off when she saw Zai. Her eyes widened.
"Who… Who is this?" she stammered, heat blooming on her cheeks.
"This is my husband, Zaikel," I answered.
Her jaw dropped.
"This is your husband?!… 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.
It hurt that after this time, she still didn't believe me.
Zai sat beside me and took my hand under the table.
"I insisted on seeing you while we were nearby," Zai interjected.
Her gaze locked on him, 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 six months," Zai answered.
She gasped happily, then glanced at me, saying,
"I knew it! You'd be living off some ma—" Mom caught herself and cleared her throat.
The room fell silent, so Zai decided to speak.
"My brother found her chained up and bruised in the forest near our house," he said calmly. "He could tell she'd been through something traumatic. We decided to let her stay with us. She was never a burden or unwanted. Also, I seduced her, not the other way around. Just so we're clear."
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 escaped your ex and ended up marrying this handsome man. I'm jealous."
I flinched and squeezed Zai's hand. He kissed my forehead, grounding me. The anxiety slowly flowed out of me.
"I just wanted to see the woman who raised my wife," he said, then he added in a lower tone, "You're the lucky one…"
I blinked. Wait—what?
In what way is she lucky?
"…That you're locked in here. Because if those guards weren't protecting you, you'd be dead right now. For all the years you mistreated Snowe and for how you're speaking to her right now."
Oh...
He's furious.
My mom's eyes got big, and Zai's powerful Aura swept through the room. The officers looked tense, and for the first time, Mom looked afraid.