This week's episode begins the morning after Jinn and Trey share their first kiss -- a kiss that Jinn initiated.
But something seems amiss and Jinn wonders if she may have crossed a line with Trey. She still has so much to learn about his culture.
For those who may just be tuning in to this "aquatic SFR," you can catch up on all the entire story posted to date at this link.
The Shell and the Star
CHAPTER SIX
The next morning it was Morra, not Jinn’s suitor, who arrived at her quarters to show her the way to the dining hall.
“Where’s Trey,” she questioned.
“His Grace and Master Tardem have already dined this
morning. Master Trey left at dawn saying he had something to attend to and that
he may join you later,” Morra said.
May?
Later?
No one was waiting when she arrived at the dining hall. She
thanked Morra and surfaced her sphere, feeling very small at the long expanse
of table.
Jinn sat fidgeting with the airflow controls inside her
bubble, feeling daunted and unsure. Maybe inviting Trey to kiss her hadn’t been
such a good idea. Maybe it was an affront in his society for the female to make
such an offer. Maybe—
Morra surfaced with a drinkbulb of Shinshey and a crab
dumpling. “If Master Trey has not returned from his errand by the time you
finish, I’ll serve your full breakfast.”
***
Trey sliced through the water, trying to make faster time.
He hadn’t meant to be so delayed by his run to Trey’s Garden
earlier, but he’d neglected his care regimen yesterday while he entertained his
guest and left his project untended.
Some of his growing things were delicate by nature, and were
quick to sulk and shrivel without the proper attentions. And his fish—always
ravenous—with him having sole and complete responsibility for their feeding.
They’d fared well, much to his relief, but he couldn’t
afford another day’s desertion and he intended to give Jinn his total attention
for the waning time she had left on her bubble’s charge.
He hated leaving Jinn to dine alone. Especially not after
the complete and utter surprise of her request last night. Or the tantalizing
promise of that kiss.
If he had reacted too aggressively in answering her
invitation, she hadn’t let on. And his hasty retreat had been a regrettable but
necessary leave-taking.
Jinn’s honor was his to keep. At least until she’d accepted
or rejected his formal bid, should he choose to make one.
As if there was much question of that now.
***
Spying Trey enter the dining hall, Jinn caught her breath.
He arrowed in beneath the water, clad only in a black and gold swimkilt. Did he
have plans for another round of Boggy Ball this morning?
Trey surfaced at her side and took his place at the table.
“Good morning.”
“Morning,” she mumbled self-consciously. How was he feeling
about what happened between them last night?
“You dressed for breakfast.” He remarked, nodding to the
simple white dress she wore. He seemed at ease, if slightly winded, and that
helped soothe her concerns. Perhaps he’d already caught an early game this
morning and that explained his absence.
“I thought this might work better for swimming.”
“Ah,” his eyebrows arched. “You’d like to go for another
swim then. That’s good.” His smile warmed her heart and eased her tension.
Morra arrived with her covered dishes and served a light
meal of pan fish and sea greens. Again, Jinn found the offerings scrumptious.
As they dined, Trey informed her, “Tardem has organized
another Boggy Ball tournament this morning, if you’d care to watch.”
“You’re going to play?”
A slight smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “Not today.”
They left the manor shortly after breakfast and headed for
the watercourts to catch the game.
“Smaller crowd this time,” Jinn commented, at the conclusion
of the first match.
“Yes.” Trey paddled closer to her sphere. “Word didn’t get
out that you’d be here.”
“I didn’t realize I was such a draw.”
“You’re the first of the Star in a very long time to be an
honored guest of my father. So that makes you a bit of a celebrity.”
Jinn smiled at his words, but she certainly hadn’t felt like
a celebrity at yesterday’s game. More of an oddity—like the specimens kept in
bottles in the Talstar labs—to be ogled from afar by the curious.
Except for Trey. He never ogled her like she was strange.
Neither did Eldelza.
And perhaps not Trey’s father.
Well, three out of a million plus wasn’t so bad, was it?
“What’s so amusing?” Trey chided, paddling closer to her
sphere.
Chagrined, she realized her translator had picked up her low
chuckle and transmitted it to Trey.
“Just laughing at myself.”
He turned to place both hands on her sphere. “I like hearing
you laugh. And seeing you more relaxed.”
It was truth. This morning she hadn’t even blinked at
watching a group of naked, young Perling men play their dynamic game. “I guess
I haven’t been doing much of either.”
“Until now,” he remarked, adding quietly. “That was some
kiss.”
Jinn looked up at him, startled, and saw his impish grin.
Her mouth eased into a smirk to match it. “It certainly sent you back-paddling.”
He raised his chin and gazed off toward the players. “I know
my limits.”
“As one who has bid for my hand I was expecting that you
might have been…bolder.”
He gave a casual shrug. “I had your honor to consider.”
Jinn lifted one eyebrow. “So you were thinking of my honor,
were you?”
“Among other things.”
In the water court, the players began another game.
Jinn pulled in a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “You want
to go for a swim?”
“Absolutely.”
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