"This all seems so… sudden." I murmur, slightly distracted by the smell of real paper books.
"I think you should accept my proposal Calypso."
I turned and locked eyes with Adamanthe. Calling me with no prefix is an intimate gesture.
"Why?" I blurted out, converting my mouth as soon as the words left my lips.
He walked leisurely in a circle around me as he spoke. "You are intelligent." His eyes locked with mine, making my head swivel to follow his movement. "You are innovative." He paused between each sentence making the hairs on my neck stand tall in anticipation. "Logical." A smile graced his lips at that. "Honestly, you are beautiful. While I know that is an archaic argument, it does not make what I say any less true."
I break eye contact first and look down to my hands clasped in my lap. In a few steps Adamanthe is in front of me. He places a finger under my chin and lifts it so I am looking straight into his eyes.
"Say yes." His voice is low and husky.
"I am not yet an Elite."
"In less than two days, you will be."
"All due to your father's influence."
"All due to your brilliance and support in your field of study."
"Elitist, I must -"
"Adam." He said firmly, his finger never leaving my chin. His eyes darken slightly.
"Adam, I -"
His soft and warm lips press firmly into mine. The hairs on my neck are still raised in alarm. An uncharacteristic animal response to seduction. My logical mind is trying to make sense of the unease embedded in my bones.
"Please." He whispers as his breaks the kiss.
I look into his eyes searching for something. Whatever it is, I am unable to grasp.
"Yes." I say before I can think rationally. "I will become your wife."
The smile that splits his face is breathtaking. I cannot remember him ever smiling like that in my presence before.
"I do have one condition."
"Anything within my power, it is yours."
"We wait until the colonization is over." It is as though his face turns to stone at my words. "I want to be a part of the first wave."
"That is out of the question." He seethes in a low voice.
"You said -"
"I said anything within my power, which that is not." He snapped.
"But it is -"
He grabbed me by my upper arm and shook me slightly. "Calypso, you are mine just as I am yours. I will never let you go."
I tried to wrench myself out of his grip. "Unhand me."
"Never." He said through gritted teeth.
I thrashed about and tried to scream. His hand came over my nose and mouth, making calling for assistance impossible.
"I do apologize, my dearest Calypso. When I am upset, I cannot control my body's response. Do. Not. Ever. Talk. Of. Leaving. Me. AGAIN!" With a lack of airflow, I let the darkness consume my consciousness.