Cael by Annabelle Rex

Author:Annabelle Rex [Rex, Annabelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Prospect and Raven
Published: 2020-03-13T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

ASHA TOLD CAEL TO WAIT IN the kitchen while she helped Marta pack away the radio, which was such an obvious ploy to get him out of the room, she expected him to call her on it. He didn’t, just nodded and stepped out without protest, closing the door behind him.

“You’ve got him well trained already,” Marta said.

“He’s just polite.”

“He can take a hint - that’s an admirable quality in a man.”

Marta waggled her eyebrows, a suggestive grin on her face.

“Maybe,” Asha said. “But he’s still an alien prince who a hundred percent would not be interested in the likes of me if I wasn’t keeping him safe.”

“Oh? Perhaps I’m mistaken in detecting a bit of chemistry between the two of you?”

Asha blushed, grateful for the dingy light of Marta’s computer room and the way the monitor glow bled colour out of everything.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said. “The poor guy is probably in shock after everything that’s happened today. The only thing between us is shared trauma.”

Marta smirked, her lips twitching as she tried to contain her amusement.

“You’ve broken two sacred rules today - calling before twelve and bringing a stranger to my house. I was all prepared to be pissed at you, but this...”

She started laughing, though she was trying to be quiet about it, her shoulders shaking with suppressed mirth.

“You know I wouldn’t have broken the rules if it wasn’t an emergency,” Asha said. “And it’s not funny.”

“Come on,” Marta said, her eyes watering a little. “You have to admit, it’s a little bit funny.”

She swiped away a tear with a finger, still grinning. Then she went quiet, and Asha really started to worry.

“You seem awfully sure it doesn’t work,” Marta said. “Is it just because it Matched you with a prince or…”

“What other reason do you need?” Asha said. “I am not exactly princess material, am I?”

“Clearly somebody thought you were.”

“Clearly they were wrong.”

Marta gave her a searching look. “Are you telling me he doesn’t make you feel all tingly in your lady parts?”

“You’re disgusting,” Asha said.

“And you’re not answering the question,” Marta said, like this proved something. “Come on, Ash, you’d have to be blind not to see how attractive he is.” She grimaced as she realised what she’d said. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have…”

“If you think he’s so attractive, why don’t you see if he wants to swap?” Asha said, cutting her off.

“Because he’s not looking at me like I’m edible,” Marta said. She sat back a little, a thoughtful look on her face. “He asked after that Angela girl, didn’t he? The one who they’re saying is the first successful Human Match.”

“Wouldn’t want to lose their marketing material,” Asha said, but she knew she was being unfair. She’d heard the concern in his voice, seen the relief when Tarkken had said Angela was fine.

“Maybe…” Marta didn’t look convinced. “Or maybe it does actually work?”

“Of course it doesn’t actually work,” Asha said, irritation getting the better of her.

“But what if it does? Think about it, Ash, you would never have to worry about the likes of Crastor ever again.

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