Page 66 of A Queen's Game
He rolled over, laughing a kiss onto Marietta’s lips. “Well, let’s head to dinner. I think you and I could both use our first-night-in-town drinks.” He shifted up, looking over his shoulder at Marietta. “Plus, there are some people I’d like you to meet.”
A tavern sat on the bottom floor of their inn, making their trip to dinner quick. Marietta’s stomach fluttered, never having met anyone from Keyain’s personal life. As they changed for dinner, he had explained that they’re some friends from Syllogi, who would also return at the week’s end.
Which meant he planned to meet them here, yet he didn’t tell her until that evening. Annoyed, she tried to let it roll off her shoulders, but it irked her. How could he say that he loved her, then take off for six months? It’s been less than six months since they’ve met.
The tavern was hot and stuffy, crowded with travelers and natives to Rotamu. Stale alcohol, roasted meat, and yeasty bread permeated the air, making Marietta’s stomach growl. The first night in every city was always her favorite. A recoup from traveling before she met with her clients, always celebrated with good ale and better food. Marietta laced her fingers with Keyain as they walked through the dining room of chattering denizens.
Marietta waved to a handful of people she recognized, but didn’t have time to greet them as Keyain wove his way through the long wooden tables. He came to a stop at a booth where two elvish folks were sitting. An elven man with dark skin and a bald head flagged them down from across the room. Next to him sata pale elven woman with chestnut hair and a tight smile on her angular face.
“Peryn, Rynka, it’s been too long,” Keyain said, sliding into the booth across from them, Marietta following. “I’d like you to meet my partner, Marietta.”
Surprise lined their faces as they looked between Marietta and Keyain. “We weren’t aware you’d found a partner, Keyain,” the man said. “I’m Peryn. This is Rynka.” The elven woman kept a tight-lipped smile, nodding her head. Marietta didn’t miss the fervent glances she gave Keyain.
“It’s lovely to meet you both. Have you visited Rotamu before?” Marietta asked, slipping into the conversation.
“Yes,” Peryn answered, “but briefly. This will be our longest stint in the city. Keyain, I’m assuming you’ve told Marietta when we’re leaving?” The question irked Marietta, for she had only just found out.
“I have. She knows it’s about six months.” Keyain turned to Marietta. “They’re traveling with me back to Satiros.”
“Does that mean Marietta won’t be joining us?” Rynka asked, her gaze turning to Marietta.
“Unfortunately no, she has her empire to run here.” Keyain smiled as he wrapped his arm around her. “Marietta helps businesses in all the cities of Enomenos. Six months would be—”
Marietta cut him off, hating that he spoke for her. “Six months is too long. Every week I’m in a new city meeting with my clients.”
At the edge of her vision, Keyain ground his jaw. He knew better than to speak for her.
“Oh, a business owner, Keyain?” Peryn said, grating Marietta’s nerves as he drove the conversation back to him. “I was a little surprised to learn you’re partnered with a clip, but it seems she comes with quite the pedigree.”
Marietta’s head jerked to Keyain. As if the slur wasn’t enough of an insult, he addedpedigreeon top of it as if she were an animal. Was this the company Keyain kept? Could he seriously love her if this is how they’d talk about her? Marietta glared at Keyain, waiting for him to correct his friend.
The correction never came. Instead, the three kept talking. A few hours ago he confessed his love for her, but now didn’t speak up against his friends? Sure, the slur stung, but it was nothing compared to the hurt of Keyain’s inaction.
Perhaps he didn’t want to stir the pot so soon after meeting his friends. That had to be the reason. He had stood up for Marietta when they were in the countryside a few weeks back. Humans in a small town between Avato and Kentro had called her ill-blooded for being half-elven. He was feral in his response, threatening to hurt them all. Keyain cared for her, so there had to be a reason to say nothing this time. With a sigh, she decided to swallow through the insult, and she would discuss it when they went back to their room.
They ordered drinks and dinner, the elves talking about Satiroan politics, which proved boring. Marietta’s mind wandered to her clients that week. There was an alchemist in Rotamu that she was to meet for the first time. A mutual acquaintance gave Marietta the recommendation but knew little of their practice. The elven woman’s business was struggling, and a friend of hers grew concerned that the alchemist’s operations would go under.
Marietta had done her research and learned she had a drinking problem, which she knew was likely the cause of the business’ failing; and that wouldn’t be the first time Marietta helped in such a scenario. The problem with gaining notoriety over the last six years was that people talked. The elven woman wouldn’t be the last person she would have to help with such aproblem, even though being a counselor or a doctor wasn’t part of her job. She couldn’t say no to helping someone.
“Marietta,” Keyain said, touching her arm, “don’t be rude. Peryn asked you a question.”
Marietta shook her head, forcing a smile. “Apologies. I was thinking about my clients. What was the question?” Keyain’s hand fell to her thigh, giving her a warning grip. He wasn’t happy, which did nothing for her mood. The audacity he had at times was enough to set her off. Keyain was, as always, a pain in her ass.
“That’s alright. Clips often have trouble focusing. That’s just in their nature. I was asking—”
Marietta cut him off. “We don’t sayclipin Enomenos. It’s a slur and one I am asking you not to address me, or any other pilinos, as such.” With practiced patience, she kept her voice calm as anger burned under her skin.
“Marietta,” Keyain snapped.
“I didn’t mean any offense,” Peryn said, his smile tight. “In Syllogi, we say clip as it isn’t a slur.”
“It is one, whether or not you’re from here. Just because Syllogi is ignorant and believes pilinos’ lives fall below full elven one’s doesn’t mean the rest of Akroi is as ignorant,” she said, not hiding her anger. Keyain’s hand gripped harder as she pried it from her leg.
Rynka and Peryn shot looks at Keyain. “I didn’t realize your partner had such strong feelings against Syllogi,” Rynka ground out, her eyes burning.
“Apparently, she has had too much to drink.” Keyain gave her a warning look. “I have never heard her say anything bad about Satiros or Syllogi myself.”
Marietta gaped at him, knowing full well she had made fun of him to his face about being a Syllogian elf. Keyain was lying, but why?
