“Falkor?” Eyes swollen from weeping, Karma crept into the suite. “Are you here?”
After he stormed out of the library, she’d tried in vain to convince the king and queen the holovid was a fake generated by Soton and Bynti to discredit and hurt Falkor. They’d used camera angles to give a false impression and used her voice to say things she’d never said. They hadn’t just misled or sensationalized; they’d outright lied. She would never cheat on her husband.
She recalled the drone zipping around. It had been more than annoying—it had beenrecording, capturing her image and voice. It truly had looked like she’d been about to kiss Soton in the hall when she’d been pushing him away. How viciously clever they were.
She peeked into the bedroom and then checked his workshop. She returned to the outer room and stepped out onto the balcony. Leaning on the rail, staring at the grotto below, she remembered the intimacy that had drawn them together.This can’t be the end. It can’t!
He said he loved me. How could he not believe me? At least give me a chance to explain!
Queen Myka and King Rullok hadn’t bought her explanation either. It was her word against Bynti and Soton—and they had the holograms.The queen had found Karma guilty, but shehad agreed to conduct a post-mortem investigation.Probably to confirm my guilt beyond all doubt.If she couldn’t prove her innocence, would they send her back to Earth?Probably.
How did people fabricate outright lies and get away with it? They ruined people’s lives!
Supposedly, her own sister had verified the “facts” of the bogus story. She didn’t believe it. Kismet wouldn’t do that. She’d find out what happened after she made things right. Her marriage teetered on a precipice. She had to fix it before it came crashing down.
She’d deal with the anger later.
Emotions roiled in an uproar—sorrow and fear, but also anger, and betrayal. She desperately feared she was losing the man she loved but devastated that he didn’t believe her. The evidence looked bad, but he could have listened to her, given the benefit of the doubt! She was also angry at Queen Myka and King Rullok. They’d been quick to judge her, too. If they had such little faith in her, why order her to marry their son in the first place?
The target of numerous smear campaigns, Falkor should know how appearances could deceive. By so readily accepting she’d betrayed him, he’d betrayed her. But she would forgive—because she was a loving wife looking at the big picture. There would be ups and downs, better and worse.Dear Goddess, I hope this is as bad as it gets.
She’d hoped Falkor would be home, but she wasn’t surprised that he wasn’t. She guessed he was avoiding her. Eventually, he had to come home. Maybe, after thinking about it, he’d realize how wrong he’d been.
Leaving the balcony, she reentered the silent, vacant apartment to find Tontu waiting for her. “Good afternoon, Ms. Kennedy. May I get you anything? Something to eat or drink?”
“I’m not hungry, thank you.” She pressed a hand to her queasy stomach.
“Very well. Call me, if you need anything.”
“Um…you don’t happen to know where my husband is, do you?”
“No. He does not keep me apprised of his whereabouts.”
“Oh. Okay. Thanks.” She’d expected as much.
“But he had me pack a bag and get him a hovercar.”
“He left the palace?”He packed a bag?
“About an hour ago.”
She blinked rapidly, fighting tears. “Did he say when he’d be back?”
“No, he did not.”
Tontu went away, and she sank onto the sofa and curled into a ball.It’s happening again.I drove him away.What if he doesn’t come home? What if he left for good?
Men always left her.She never held their interest for long. Outside forces had caused the rift between her and Falkor, but, if his love had been true and strong, he would have stayed to fight.
You don’t walk away from marriage to the one you love without fighting for it.
But he had, which spoke volumes.
What’s the point of me staying? I should go home to Earth. The king and queen would help me, to be rid of me.
Listen to yourself!she chided and proceeded to give herself a mental smackdown. You’re doing the same thing you’re accusing Falkor of doing—giving up without a fight. You don’t know he’s dumping you—you’re assuming he left because of you. Maybe he got called away to a problem in a manufacturing plant.
Don’t imagine the worst until you have the facts. He will come home. He’s a prince. He can’t sever his relationship withthe royal family.The king and queen would not allow him to walk away.