Page 17 of Varro's Human Bride
But now, as she stared at the musician playing the piano-like instrument, her heart didn’t ache as painfully as it had on Earth. The grief was still there, but it wasn’t nearly as debilitating. Alongside her grief, she felt the warmth of hope flowing through her, lending her strength and healing.
Tarrkua was a new beginning. The fresh start she desperately needed.
She glanced at Varro with a smile. He already meant something to her. While she wasn’t sure if she loved him yet, she couldn’t imagine losing him. She cared for him and she wanted him to care for her in return. She craved his affection and his tender glances, and his very presence soothed her.
“Thank you for bringing me here,” she said. “This place is magical.” The music filled her head and for several seconds, she felt as if she were walking on the clouds. It was easy, for this tiny fragment in time, to forget that eventually—perhaps weeks or months, or even a year in the future—Varro would discover her deceit.
“You’re very welcome, sweet human,” he said, switching to Tarrkuan. He often switched between English and his language, in order to help her become more fluent in Tarrkuan.
He guided her into a small restaurant and they had a delicious lunch, complete with the most decadent dessert she’d ever tasted. It reminded her of peanut butter fudge. Afterward, they walked hand in hand through the streets, occasionally pausing to watch another group of street musicians.
Julie scanned the crowd for Nova’s face but didn’t spot her yet. Luckily, it was easy to pick all the full-blooded human females out in the crowd, as they were the only people without blue skin. Nova had promised to hang around the jewelry booths located in the center of the market and when Julie spotted them up ahead, her spirits soared. Soon. So close.
But before they could head in that direction, Varro stiffened as a Tarrkuan couple approached them. She sensed his mood change immediately and tensed at the dark look that entered his eyes. His jaw tightened, too. A chill descended upon her.
What was wrong? Who was this couple?
The Tarrkuan male nodded at Varro. The petite female smiled, and Julie wondered if she was a half-human half-Tarrkuan, given her small stature. Half-bloods always had blue skin and dark hair, but sometimes they were smaller than a full blooded Tarrkuan.
“You must be Varro.” Though the male fidgeted somewhat in place, he kept an arm around his female.
“I am.”
“I am pleased to finally meet you. Bersenna has spoken highly of you and says you were a great friend to her.” The male shifted uncomfortably in place and Julie thought she detected a spark of fear in his black gaze.
“A great friend?” Varro sounded incredulous and he shot a sharp look at the female. “We were betrothed for many years, an arrangement our families made on our behalf.” Though he spoke rapidly, Julie was able to grasp his meaning and surprise filled her.
Engaged. Varro had once been engaged to this female. She recalled all he’d said to her about never lying to him and that he wanted there to be trust between them and her stomach flipped over and over. Oh God. She’d suspected someone had once hurt him, but now she had a better idea of the sheer depth of the betrayal. Her heart went out to Varro, but at the same time, she couldn’t feel too angry on his behalf. After all, if Bersenna hadn’t spurned him, Julie would have never married him.
But you’re betraying him, too. At this very moment, you’re living a lie.
Her mouth went dry and she glanced nervously around the marketplace. When she spotted a blonde head in the crowd ahead, near the jewelry booths, it took all her self-control not to tear her hand from Varro’s and run toward the person who was likely Nova. She strained to make out the female’s face and as the woman walked closer, Julie’s heart sank when she realized it wasn’t her sister. But Nova would emerge from the crowd at any moment and she hoped this interaction wouldn’t go on for much longer. They needed to keep walking.
“I-I hope you do not bear us any ill will,” the male said, still stepping from foot to foot in an awkward manner.
Varro stared at the couple for a long while, his entire body tensed.
Oh God, oh God, oh God.
Had Varro once cared for Bersenna?
If so, did he still harbor feelings for her?
Jealousy ripped through Julie, a hot and ugly surge of emotion, and she soon found herself glaring at the unwelcome couple. But when she felt Varro’s eyes upon her, she glanced at him and was startled to find him looking upon her with a tender expression, his entire countenance softening.
“No ill will at all,” Varro replied, his gaze still on Julie. “In fact, I wish you both well.”
“It was good to see you again, Varro,” Bersenna said. “Am I to understand this is your new bride?” The female gave Julie such a sweet smile that Julie almost felt guilty for glaring at her but a second ago.
“Yes. Bersenna and Eirai, meet Caylee.” Varro’s voice sounded less cutting than earlier in the conversation and Julie breathed a sigh of relief. “Caylee, this is Bersenna and Eirai.”
They exchanged pleasantries for another minute before saying their goodbyes. But Bersenna and Eirai turned and walked closer to the jewelry booths and Varro guided Julie in the opposite direction—back toward the outskirts of the market where the hover transport waited.
“Where are we going?” she asked, peering over her shoulder. She saw another blonde head in the crowd but couldn’t tell if it was Nova. The human female moved amongst the much taller blue Tarrkuans and soon disappeared into the throng.
“Home.”
“But you promised to show me around the capital city. Please, can’t we walk a bit longer?” She halted, forcing him to turn and face her. A shiver ran down her spine at the sudden dark gleam in his eyes.
