Cold sweat loosened the dried mud on my face. I placed the control device on Bemariq's throat and squeezed the button.

My husband retched awake, in a burst of gagging and gasps. Whirling tendrils poked out of his mouth, and a sleek worm of numerous segments pushed out. Rows of tiny legs covered it in three sides, but most peculiar feature were the lumps, which must have been the controls of the device.

After the worm outed itself, I caught it in a translucent box.

Bemariq coughed droplets of blood. "By heavens..."

I offered him a cup with a relaxing drink spiced with mild sedatives. He grimaced, but after I insisted, he forced the liquid down.

"My head..." Bemariq whined.

"You need to rest." I pushed Bemariq back down to his bed. "Everything's fine."

My husband couldn't look straight at me, but he smiled. "Alright." His voice was hoarse and weary. "Thank you, Sirin."

The worm was dormant in its box, but I still placed it inside a sturdy locked casket. The control device I kept to myself.

Outside, I met the physician. She told me she had inspected all of the workers for 'throat rot', with no symptoms found. I thanked her and paid the bill. It wasn't nearly as much as her services would have warranted, but I didn't argue. Roluans tended to dislike haggling even in their own benefit.

Inspector Ansis arrived soon after I sent one of the watchmen for him. Bemariq was by then in good enough shape to join us in the table for hot drinks. I squeezed my husband's hand tight, while I explained everything --even the embarrassing details-- to the inspector. However, I did leave out any mention of the carapace suit, and chalked up my performance at Sitolytta's house to gymnastic training.

The removal of the worm had dislodged Bemariq's stuck memory, and he could affirm that his hands had worked all the sabotage.

"Good work, lady Usinilim." Ansis chuckled. "Though I must admit I'm disappointed that my promising lines of inquiry are so thoroughly smashed. In one swoop, no less."

Bemariq frowned. "You won't be able to arrest the magnatess."

"That is true. If she was anyone else, the evidence would sustain a decent attempt at a case. But our government wants to 'play fair' with all of our foreign guests. We won't directly get tangled in these affairs. On that note, I suggest we keep these new developments under wraps. It will save me from a handful of headaches. Not only that, but also if no culprit is found, I can justify keeping my watchmen here."

"One thing, inspector", I said. "The magnatess spoke of the Jaan 'promised land' as a justification. The Jaan must have plans for Rolu."

Ansis nodded. "I can inform my superiors, but then again, there's little I can do. The Jaan are mighty, while we are a small --if orderly and industrious-- nation."

"I can't make any assurances on the behalf of the Conglomerate", Bemariq said. "If anything, our country is more covetous than the Jaan Directory. We just happen to be farther away."

After the inspector was gone, I sat on Bemariq's lap and kissed him long and thoroughly.

"Sirin..." Bemariq said. "My returned memories include other misdeeds than the ones here in the camp. Sitolytta had to kiss me to insert the device... And she did nothing to force me."

I swallowed. While I had suspected as much, the revelation stung my heart. Yet, I had been so glad he was alright. I still was.

"Can you forgive me?" Bemariq asked.

Though my eyes were bleary, I said: "Yes. You got your punishment for wanton behaviour." Another lump appeared to my throat. "But if you feel... If you feel you need a real woman--"

"No! No. It was not like that." Bemariq's arms crushed me against him. "She made herself enticing, and I foolishly assumed I was in control. That little peck didn't seem like anything at the moment." He brushed my hair. "You are the only girl for me."

I pressed myself against him and breathed slowly, until I calmed down. "Bemariq. I will try to be as reasonable as I can. But you will have to patch this rend in my trust." I lifted my face to smile at him. "The wound is not deep."

"Good." Bemariq stood up and lifted me with him. I giggled from the brief moment of weightlessness, and more importantly, from the strength holding me.

My husband performed a thorough massage to my backside. What he lacked in skill, he compensated with careful application of force. Though my body crunched under his thumbs, I grew relaxed enough to turn drowsy. I was viscous liquid under his hands.

Afterwards, he held me, while I half-napped.

"I'm so glad you are alright", I murmured.

"I can say the same of you." Bemariq petted my flank. "It's foolish of me, but I'm troubled by the carapace suit. Wearing it was risky. We didn't know, how it would behave this close to its home."

"True. It did mention the facility, but I managed to mute it."

"Glad to hear the override worked. Still, I'll check on it." His hand moved down to my thigh. "Do you have any requests?"

I smiled wide. "As tempting as abusing your guilt would be, we do have a lot work to do."

He sighed. "Unfortunately astute."