Page 40 of Love Galaxy

Akh….

Briar

“I’m guessing there aren’t any cameras outside.” As I step into the kitchen, I push the remaining bobby pin into my bun, making sure my hair’s out of my face. I’m wearing yesterday’s dress, and I don’t hate the green as much as I used to. It’s growing on me, I think.

“Too dusty,” is all Sorin says in answer. He’s slumped over the kitchen table, looking like someone in desperate need of their morning coffee.

I, on the other hand, am feeling pretty pleased with myself. Maybe it has something to do with Sorin spilling a load over my hand last night and moaning my name, but who’s to say?

Of course, if Sorin doesn’t want to talk about what happened between us, I won’t push him. I’d prefer that the cameras and Mr. Smith never know anything about it. And if it means going outside into a windstorm to get a few minutes of privacy, then into a windstorm I will go. Gladly.

Being physical didn’t fix any of the numerous problems we’ve both got with LOVE GALAXY and Mr. Smith, but it did help me feel closer to Sorin, like we’re allies again.

I fetch him a glass of water, which is the closest I can find to coffee. He downs it in a couple of gulps and clambers to his feet. There are dark circles under his eyes. I’m guessing he didn’t get much sleep last night, even after our sneaky side quest.

Truth be told, I didn’t get much more sleep either, too obsessed with remembering every small detail. Like the way Sorin’s entire body had convulsed when he’d come. How, afterwards, when his knees had started working properly again, he’d stood up and pulled me into a tight hug. How he’d buried his face in my hair and pressed kisses down my throat and along my collarbone.

The only thing that had stopped me from stripping out of my dress then and there had been the nagging voice in my head telling me that we’d been out of sight of the cameras for long enough that Mr. Smith might have gotten suspicious. It had been thrilling, knowing we’d been breaking the rules, but I hadn’t wanted to push our luck too far and risk the wrath of Chloe the Bitch.

Standing, Sorin kisses my forehead. “I will make us some food. Then, mayhaps, I can show you the farm.” There’s a note of hesitation in his voice, like he’s nervous I’ll say no.

“Yes, please.” As he steps past me toward the pantry, I give one of his hands a quick squeeze. “I’d really like that.” Maybe we can spend a little time pretending again that we’re just two ordinary people and not on a reality dating show.

Turns out that food on Ril II isn’t half bad when Sorin cooks. Also turns out that the underground farm is accessed through the fifth door leading off the kitchen, the one I never got around to opening yesterday.

My mouth drops open when I see it, like I’m trying to catch flies. “Are you fucking kidding me?! This is unbelievable.” I step through the doorway Sorin’s holding open for me into what I can only describe as an underground palace.

I’m standing on a balcony that overlooks a massive cave so large I can’t see the back wall. Enormous stalactites reach down into the cave, maybe ten feet long, like the teeth of a giant monster, black instead of white.

Grasping the handrail, I lean over the balcony’s edge, staring at a lake that’s got to be at least three stories below me. The water’s surface is completely still, like a mirror. In fact, I can see my reflection staring straight back at me.

I can’t judge how deep the lake is; the bottom isn’t visible, either because it’s super-duper deep or because the shadows are keeping secrets. The only lights in the cave are artificial ones, set into the walls and the ceiling at various intervals, creating a patchwork of light and dark that illuminates some stalactites and throws others into shadow. The overall effect is something close to magic, almost too beautiful to be believed.

If all alien farms are as stunning as this one, I can see the appeal.

“Is there algae down there?” I ask.

Sorin nods. “We have nine lakes now, between here and the main house.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so stunning, Sorin.” Mesmerized, I follow the balcony along one wall. The largest of the stalactites directly overhead have been cut to accommodate anyone walking on the balcony, but the smaller ones, the ones that aren’t threatening to poke my eyes out, have been left, and when I stand on my toes I can actually reach the point of one. It feels a little like it’s made of wax, and a drop of water clings to my fingertip. It’s so dark it’s practically black.

I rub the water droplet between my forefinger and thumb, noticing the gritty texture. The water we drink, the water that comes out of the tap in Sorin’s kitchen, must be filtered and that’s why it isn’t black.

“Can we get down?” I motion to the lake. I’ve never been a fan of swimming pools, and I always hated school sports carnivals, but I’m itching to shed my clothes and dive in.

“Up ahead,” Sorin says, nodding at something farther along the balcony walkway, so I keep walking. Then I see a ladder. Thank God I’m not afraid of heights, because the gaps between the rungs are a bit bigger than what I’m comfortable with.

Still, I make it down without falling and with only mild hand shaking.

I think originally water must have covered the entire cave floor, but Sorin and his family have cut a ledge into the wall creating a walkway along the water’s edge. The rock here is smoother than the walls elsewhere, and in a few places I can see grooves that look suspiciously like they were made by a chisel or… what had Sorin said they’d used to cut the tunnels? An auger. I highly doubt that if you’re able to travel between galaxies you’d be cutting stone paths by hand!

There’s a plaque mounted on the wall here, made of a paler stone than what naturally occurs in the cave. I trace the letters, unable to read the words.

“That is for my sister.” Sorin jumps down the last few rungs to land beside me. “It originally marked the first of the lakes our parents converted, but seeing it every day was tormenting Killan, so when my brothers and I took over, I moved it here.”

“Where you see it every day.”

“Yes.” Sorin pats the memorial plaque as if it’s an old friend, then moves to the water’s edge. He dips his hand into the water, like he’s checking something, then straightens.

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