Page 34 of Starfallen
Chapter 13
No More Red
Acouple of hours beforedawn, I disentangle myself from Tilly and make my way to the kitchen.
The length of a Martian sol—otherwise known as a day—is not much longer than Earth’s, only about 40 extra minutes a day. So, Tilly adjusting to a new daily time cycle won’t be an issue.
I’d love to whip up a breakfast cooked over an open fire, or at least on a stove, but settle for synthesized eggs and bacon with gravy and biscuits. I also add a carafe of black coffee and a platter of fresh fruit grown in one of the garden biodomes that Granny had stocked before we arrived.
If I’m going to make Tilly happy, the first step is bringing a peace offering of caffeine and food.
After loading breakfast onto a tray, I carry it down the hall and saunter into the bedroom.
With a yawn, Tilly rolls to her side and opens her eyelids. As she takes me in, her stare widens. “That smells good,” she says, sitting up, her red silk nightgown caressing her curves. “Is thatbacon? And coffee?” Her voice holds a note of wonder.
“Yes, milady.” I slide the tray onto her lap.
KJ barks and wags his tail, jumping from the small, plush bed on the floor to scrabble his paws at the bed, too short to climb up the side.
“And for you, little one, I brought special puppy treats.” I lay down a bowl of kibble for the dog.
He roots around in the soft food, chewing with eagerness, his tail jerking back and forth with each bite.
Tilly’s face breaks into that heavenly smile that always pushes my heart into overdrive. “Thank you, pretty boy.” She pats the empty side of the bed. “Sit down and eat with me.”
“No, that’s for you.”
“I insist, as your wife and queen.” She raises her eyebrows and gives me a stern stare.
“Who am I to disobey a royal command?” I join her and slip a piece of bacon in my mouth.
Tilly cradles the cup of coffee, inhales, then sips at it, closing her eyes. “God, this is good, even if it’s fake.”
“Wanna do something fun today?” I ask as I crunch on the meat.
“Oh, like go home?” Lifting her spork, she scoops scrambled eggs and chews, her attention riveted to my face.
“Like a surprise. I want to show you something.”
“Pass.” She shifts her focus to the food and nibbles on a strip of bacon.
“You’re the first human to ever set foot on Mars. Aren’t you the least bit curious about the planet?”
She shrugs, then breaks apart the biscuit into little pieces and pours gravy over it. “What does it matter? It’s not like I can go exploring because someone will just try to stick another knife in my belly.”
Her comment strikes an imaginary blade in my heart at the memory of what Silarrian did.
“No.” I grip her chin in my hand and turn her face to me. “I can protect you here. Don’t you believe me?”
“It really doesn’t matter what I believe. You’re still going to bulldoze your way to whateveryouthink is best.” Her stare is unflinching.
“That’s not true. I—”
Shaking her head and pulling her chin from my grip, she pushes away the unfinished portion of her breakfast. “Thank you for this.”
“Please give me a chance, Red. I love you and only want to take care of you, to prove I can do it.”
She rests her fingers on my thigh. “I know, Jareth. And Granny wasn’t wrong when she said you meant well. It’s just...” Her thumb circles over the thick material of my pants. “You have to trust and believe in me too, you know? Marriage isn’t just commitment to a relationship. It’s about mutual respect. It really hurts when you treat me like a child, as if I’m incapable of helping myself.”
