Marlene placed the empty bowl on the nightstand and leaned back against the headboard. She looked down at Zarale who was sleeping lightly on his side. He had tried only one bite of her bread pudding, refusing to eat anymore. He did that often and she hated it. She had no idea what he had eaten on Cardassia Prime that had ruined his palate. Everything he loved to eat disgusted her.
Sighing softly she rose from the bed and walked to the bathroom. It was getting late but for some reason she wasn't tired yet. Humming quietly to herself she ran hot bath water and as she watched the tub fill she carefully pinned her hair up. She then lite a few candles that were scattered around the room and turned the lights down low. After turning the water off she pushed her silk robe over her shoulders and let it fall to the floor before stepping into the large tub.
She continued to hum to herself as she leaned back against the side and closed her eyes. The best thing about living with Zarale was that he was quite a wealthy man. He had come to this place just 6 years prior, demanding that someone build him a house to his specifications. Her father had taken on the job and just a year later, this medieval castle stood proudly in the middle of a once empty plot of land. Marlene had been lucky enough to catch Zarale's eye when she came to help her father with the finishing touches within the residence. He had easily charmed his way into her heart and asked her to stay with him, to live in this lavish castle like a modern day princess. He convinced her that she deserved a life of luxury, and she was quick to accept his offer.
Beginning to relax, Marlene yawned and slipped further under the water, the bubbles coming up to tickle her chin. She felt a presence enter the room and she opened her eyes, letting them adjust to the dim light. "Hey babe." He sat on the side of the tub, swirling bubbles around with a hand.
"Zarale, sweetie, why aren't you sleeping?" Her eyes drifted up to his, the candle light reflecting softly in them.
"I woke up and you were gone. I was lonely and couldn't go back to sleep, so I had to come looking for you." He took his hand from the bath, wiping the bubbles from his hand onto the leg of his pants.
"Why don't you join me?" She got to her knees and moved over to him, the bubbles covering her body, putting her hands on his bare chest. "It's nice and hot…" She looked up from his chest, into his eyes again, a mischievous look on her face. "You like things…hot."
"You know I don't like water." He removed her hands from his chest.
"Oh come on Zarale, don't be a baby…" She quickly threw her arms around his neck and pulled him down. Losing his balance, he fell into the tub, landing on top of her, water splashing and spilling onto the floor.
"Gotcha!" She laughed, her arms still around his neck. Having been caught off guard, he was unable to speak for a moment, staring down at her, his face showing no emotion.
"What the hell's gotten into you?" He broke away from her grasp and stumbled out of the tub, dripping water and bubbles on the floor. Holding his arms away from his body, he looked down at himself a moment before looking back at her, slight anger registering on his face. She giggled quietly, her eyes dancing with amusement as she watched him.
"I've put up with your games far too long." The giggling stopped as soon as she saw the fury grow in his eyes, intense irritation coming out in his voice. Her hand flew to her mouth and she stared back at him fearfully, not sure what he might do, but sure of what he was capable of doing.
Taking a towel from the counter, Zarale left the bathroom quickly, not looking back at the silent woman in the bath.
