by Rachel Ford
“Terrible things, xenophobic things. About you being human.”
Despite myself, I laughed. She blinked in the face of my reaction, but I shook my head. She’d been so worried to tell me, but the truth was, that was a given. I knew that as soon as I heard the press had gotten wind of Kia’s death, and linked us to it. We were humans accused of murdering a Kudarian, on the home planet no less. “I’m sorry,” I said. “Just…I’m not at all surprised.”
She flushed a little. “I suppose not. Though it’s no credit to our planet.”
“Hey.” I reached a hand out to her shoulder. The truth was, other than Rita, I hadn’t seen a friendly face since I’d gotten here until they arrived, and I was deeply grateful for it. “I’ve only known you guys for a few weeks, and you’ve been amazing friends from the start. You can’t control the rest of your world, but you sure as hell do a good job with what you can control. You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to see you all. To see some friendly faces again.”
She smiled. “Hopefully you’ll be out for good soon, and this nightmare will end.”
I nodded. “Hopefully. Now that Malone is on the case, Maggie thinks they’ll back down. They don’t have enough to charge us.”
“I know…I hope she’s right. And I hope…I hope poor F’er does as well.”
He didn’t. Eventually, Malone pulled through for us. But Frank was not so lucky.
It was just after our afternoon meal, after the third morning of hearings. We’d been waiting for hours for her return. The first inkling that things had gone well was the sight of her strutting down the hall alongside a guard. Typically, we were escorted to the interrogation chamber, so the change in pace signaled good things.
And, even without it, the shit-eating-grin would have been a dead giveaway. It was smug, self-satisfied, and a truly beautiful sight, all things considered. “You won?”
She grinned. “I told you I would.”
“They’re going to release us, then?”
“Yes. You’re still grounded while they gather evidence. They’ve got two months to decide to press charges, or to release you.”
Maggie groaned. “Two months? I’ve got a business to run. I can’t be stuck on-planet for two months.”
Rita Malone shrugged, though. “Not quite planet-wide release. You’re confined to Kriar and the surrounding territories.” Maggie seemed about to launch a second set of protests when she raised a hand to stem the tide. “Your options were to spend the time in the cell or out. I figured you’d prefer out.”
Maggie grumbled thanks, but the prospect of getting out was too welcome to fret about being grounded. “What about Frank?” I asked.
Now, Malone hemmed a moment. “I’m sorry. But your friend’s case went the other way.”
“What does that mean?”
“They think they have sufficient evidence to hold him. They say they’ll press charges within two weeks.”
“Charges?” I suddenly forgot my relief. “You can’t be serious? They’re going to charge him with – what? Murder?”
She nodded. “Yes. And attempted murder, for the poisoning of Kor.”
Chapter Forty-Four
This news put a predictable damper on our good moods. Frank, to his credit, was as good a friend as ever. “Hey, you’re out. That’s the first step. We always knew it would be an uphill slog for me, right? I’m the one who was at dinner with them. Just…come visit once in a while, yeah?”
I felt my eyes welling at the sight of the lopsided grin he offered with this last bit. He was nervous. I could see it in his eyes. Now he’d be here alone, without anyone he knew. I would have been terrified. Hell, he probably was. But he was working hard to conceal whatever he was feeling. I blinked back the tears, and tried to muster my own spirits. “Of course, Frank. Every day they allow it.”
He nodded. “Good. Hopefully L’char hurries up.” L’char ark Karel was Frank’s counsel in the case, and he’d been arguing jointly with Rita for release of his own client. “Not that I don’t love the accommodations here and all, but I wouldn’t mind seeing the outside again. Soon.”
The release process was as efficient and brisk as admission had been. We were escorted to the lobby, this time sans cuffs. Kriy, the prison warden who had admitted us, was on duty again, and he scowled as we approached.
Rita addressed him in Kudarian, and – since we still didn’t have our translators – I couldn’t tell what was said. Her tones, and his, were pretty good clues, though.
She was pleased. Very pleased.
He was not. At all.
He fished out a bag, tossing it over the counter with a grunt.
“Check your belongings,” Rita said with a smile. “He says to make sure everything’s there.”
For half a minute, we rooted through the bag. My translator earpiece was there. I pulled it out gratefully, flipping it on; but it didn’t respond, and I realized that the battery must have run out. It’d be useless to me until I could charge it.
I fished on, finding my wallet and a hair tie. Then, my fingers brushed a cold, shiny band, and my heart danced.
My engagement ring. They’d taken it from me when we were brought in. At the time, I’d been too overwhelmed to pay much heed. But I’d missed it sorely these last days as Mags and I lay there, chastely, side-by-side in constant view of passing guards and fellow inmates.
I’d missed having that reminder, that promise, that she was mine and I was hers, even when we couldn’t say the words out loud, or hold each other the way I wanted to. I’d missed that silent assurance.
I slipped it into place with a sigh, and glanced up to see Maggie watching me. She smiled as she caught my eye: a tender smile, brimming with affection.
Rita drew us from the moment with, “Is that everything?”
I cleared my throat. “Looks like it.”
“I think so,” Mags agreed.
She relayed this to Kriy, and he grunted another command, indicating a screen as he did so. She surveyed it for a moment, then nodded. “He needs your palm print, to signify that your items were returned.”
We did as we were bid, going through a few more forms – each of which our attorney read in full before allowing us to palm our agreement. Then, we were free.
“Alright ladies,” Rita said, leading us to the door. “This way.”
A guard buzzed us out, and we stepped into the same courtyard we’d entered, so long ago it seemed now. But this time, it was crammed with bodies.
Bodies, and camera drones.
“What the…?” Maggie wondered.
Rita’s jaw clenched, but then she said, in smooth, easy tones, “Reporters. Looks like someone must have tipped them off to your release. Don’t stare, keep your eyes on the car, over there.”
I followed the direction she’d indicated with my gaze, and saw the top of a skimmer peeking out behind the swarm of persons. I followed her lead, pressing through the crowd without engaging. They were shouting queries at us, but, without my earpiece, I had no idea what they were asking.
The guard still assigned to us walked alongside our party, half-heartedly shooing the pressing throng away. But it was still a tight squeeze, jostling through an exceedingly narrow strait of bodies, and the constant hum of drones near at hand was more than a little disconcerting.
Maggie wrapped an arm around me as we went, and I was almost as grateful for it as I was relieved when we actually reached the vehicle. Rita ushered us inside, then followed, closing the door after her. “Car, get us out of here.”
She kept her features neutral until we’d pulled out of the prison courtyard. Then, she grimaced. “Well that was some grade-A bullshit.”
“What was?”
“Those bastards being there. That means someone tipped ‘em off. I don’t know who, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was that damned warden. He was pissed that you were getting out.” Then, she seemed to reconsider. “Although, it could have been anyone in the magistrate’s office too. They were
all pissed.”
“Wow. So that was…what? The Kudarian version of the paparazzi?”
“Pretty much. This story is all over everything. For better or worse – and, considering the circumstances, it’s worse – you’re famous.”
“Great.”
Once we left the prison compound and the last drones were out of range, I allowed myself to relax. Rita went over the details of the court hearing, and I half listened. I was interested – of course I was interested in why and how we were free. But my mind was a little too wound up to concentrate.
I kept thinking about Frank, and about what it meant for us that we were still under such heavy suspicion. Was restricting our movement a last, vengeful act before they had to release us for good? Or did they really think they could build a case against Maggie and me? And do they – how can they – think they’ve got a case against Frank? I went back and forth on the questions, examining every possible answer I could dream up. But the truth was, I had no way to know.
When I would pose the questions to Rita, she would just shrug. “That’s their call, Katherine. We’ll win either way.”
Easier to say for her, it seemed, than to accept for me: it was my freedom on the line, after all. Still, I reminded myself that she’d come through so far – despite being a human attorney on Kudar, arguing for human clients accused of murdering a Kudarian.
We were headed to the Inkaya estate. Rita already confirmed that we would be welcome there, which was another good turn. I had a feeling not many places in Kriar would have opened their doors to Kia’s suspected murderers.
This time through the city, I found it a less welcoming sight. The foreignness that had so charmed me the first time frightened now. I saw potential jurors in the faces that passed by, oblivious to me. Even the crisp blue sky and flowing waters struck me as a strange kind of gilded cage, now that we were confined to Kriar.
As we pulled out of the city into the open countryside beyond, I was glad. It felt a little more freeing, a little less confined.
This changed, though, when we reached the borders of the Inkaya estate. Skimmers lined the road for half a kilometer up the way, and with the vehicles came a crowd of bodies.
“And they’ve all got cameras,” Rita warned. She pulled her features into a cheery configuration as we neared. “So smile for the little assholes.”
I left the faux smiling to her, and sank back deeper into my seat. Behind the curtains, I figured I’d be more or less invisible. Which, of course, was precisely what I wanted.
We reached the manor a few minutes later. Frank’s family was waiting for us, and Rita was greeted with almost as much warmth as we were. It struck me as a curious feature of our situation that, in the moment, whatever reservations the Inkaya elders might have had about Maggie and me, they greeted us with an enthusiasm that previously I’d only seen them reserve for family.
I suppose it was our shared plight with Frank, the fact that our case was tied to their son’s fate. Still, considering how my last week had gone, considering that I was still covered in bruises and facing the specter of eventual arrest, their welcome hit me as particularly sweet. I had to fight to stop from tearing up as R’ia squeezed my hand in a firm handshake, her own eyes a little reddened. “I’m so glad, Katherine. I wish F’er could be here too, of course. But I’m so glad the magistrate had the sense to let you and Magdalene go.”
Frank’s siblings skipped handshakes and went straight for hugs. “Welcome back, Kay.”
“Good to see you again.”
Rita took her leave with a promise to be in touch the next day, and we moved inside. “You’re probably exhausted,” R’ia said. “And I assume starved. F’er told us about the food there. It’s a disgrace. But we’ve got a meal ready in the dining room. I know it’s not lunch time, but we figured you’d be hungry. I’ll show you to your room so you can freshen up, and then, please, help yourself to whatever you want.”
“I can take them, Mother,” F’riya declared. R’ia seemed to hesitate, but her daughter didn’t give her time to argue. “Follow me, Katherine, Magdalene.”
We did, trudging along wearily after her. “We really appreciate you putting us up like this,” Maggie said.
“Yes,” I agreed. “Thank you. I don’t know where we would have wound up, if not for you.”
F’riya brushed this aside with a wave of her hand. “You’re only in this trouble because they’re trying to pin this thing on poor F’er. We’re all in this together.”
I nodded, and Maggie said, “Still. We appreciate it, F’riya.”
“Of course,” she smiled. “We have a room ready for you, in the same hall as last time. I assumed you’d want just the one room, this time?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Of course. Okay, you’re in here. We should have everything you’ll need – I left some extra clothes, too, since I know they didn’t exactly give you time to pack. But if you’re missing anything, let me know.”
Chapter Forty-Five
That first day of freedom, we ate and slept most of the hours away. I was exhausted, mentally more than physically, I think. I really showered – the nice, long, leisurely shower of a free woman – for the first time in days. Then, I sank into bed. Maggie wrapped me in her arms, and I drifted off, lost to the world.
I woke a few times, sometimes for only a minute or two, and others for longer. Maggie didn’t sleep as much as I did, but she was always there, still holding me.
I felt infinitely better the next morning. My mind was refreshed, my head clearer, my body less sore. I took another shower, grateful for the freedom to bathe when I wanted. I was, I saw in the mirror, still a bruised and discolored mess. But I felt a new woman all the same.
Maggie smiled as I came out. “Forgot my bra,” I explained. I was wrapped in a towel, but she’d already showered and dressed. Her hair was still damp, and full of natural curl that she hadn’t brushed away or straightened yet. My heart skipped a beat at the sight. She was gorgeous, and as she looked at me her green eyes twinkled with mischief in a way that made my knees buckle. “What?” I asked.
“I was just thinking…I doubt the Inkayas would mind if we slept late today. Considering all we’ve been through, and all that.”
“Slept late?”
She’d been reclining on the bed, but now she got to her feet and headed my way. “That’s right.” She stopped in front of me. “At least, that’s what we’d tell them.”
I flushed a little. I wanted her. The nights we’d spent side by side unable to really touch one another, the days we’d spent daring nothing more than the mildest of intimacies – holding hands or exchanging tender glances – had been hard as hell. The night before, I’d been too tired to think of anything but sleeping. Now, though, staring at this woman I loved so much, of course I wanted her.
But the fact was, I looked like a monster, my face and body sporting ugly, swollen purple and yellow welts. I was embarrassed by what I’d seen in the mirror. Embarrassed to be seen by her. “I don’t know, babe. I’m pretty scary looking right now.”
Her brow furrowed. “Kay, don’t say things like that.”
I flushed a little deeper at the pain in her tone. “I just mean, I’m covered in bruises.”
She nodded, wrapping a careful arm around me so that our faces were very near. “Then tell me that, my love. Tell me you’re not ready. Tell me you’re in too much pain. Tell me you need time. Whatever it is, tell me. But don’t you tell me that you’re anything but the most gorgeous woman on the planet. Because that’s bullshit.”
My cheeks were burning. “It’s not…I’m not…it’s not how the bruises feel, Maggie. I just…they look so bad.”
“Oh Katherine.” She held my gaze with tender eyes, and trailed her fingers down my cheek. Then, slowly, she brought her lips to my face, kissing a path along the edge of the bruising there. The nerves in the area prickled a little as her lips brushed my skin, but I didn’t mind. Now and again she’d pause to speak,
one word at a time. “You…are…exquisite.”
I shivered as her breath, and lips, reached my throat. “Oh Mags,” I whispered. “I’ve missed this.”
“You have no idea how many times I dreamed of getting out of that cell, with you.” She moved a little lower, nipping at the skin of my collarbone.
I moaned, my hesitance all but forgotten. “I love you, Maggie.”
She paused, pulling her head up until we were face to face. Her eyes burned with an ardor that made my pulse skip. “I love you too, Kay.”
I smiled, cupping the back of her head in my hands and pulling her lips to mine. Slowly, tenderly, I pressed into her, my mouth to hers, my body to hers. She kissed me in return, pulling me gently to her, running her hands along my back to trace a line along the top of the towel.
For a few long moments we stayed like that, and I savored the taste of her kiss, the feel of her body against mine. When our lips parted, I was breathless. “I think sleeping late is a good idea.”
She grinned. “Then, for the love of God, can I get this damned towel off of you?”
I laughed. “Alright.”
She did, and the rush of air against my skin felt cold and thrilling.
“Your turn,” I whispered, slipping my hands under her shirt. She groaned impatiently, and I smirked. “I’ve thought of this quite a bit lately, you know.” A piece at a time, slowly – very slowly – I peeled away her clothes. When she would reach to do it herself, to speed the process, I’d push her hand away. “Patience. I want to savor every moment.”
“God, you’re cruel.”
When I finished, we were standing face to face, nothing between us – no towel, no clothes, nothing but space. And this, only for long enough for me to take in the sight of her, all of her. I pressed into her again, this time feeling the softness of her skin against my own, the warmth of her body melting into mine, and kissed her with a hungrier, more urgent kiss.
She moaned, wrapping me in her arms. I thrilled at the feel of them, at the feeling of her muscular form tensing with desire against mine. I let my hands wander up her back and down her sides, my skin dancing at the thousand sensations her fingers created as they did the same.
