34
(Rinday)
Palerma, Tephsa
Kauri Klement sat on a chair in the gymnasium. She wore her purple sparkly dance costume. It showed considerably more skin than she was accustomed to showing, but it was secure and made her prepare mentally for the show she was going to perform with Derick Aiden in front of the cameras as soon as the A’mara finished decorating for the dance competition scenes that were to be filmed today.
Near Kauri sat Iyva Erynnis in a similar costume, but in a color that matched the dyed blue hair of her betrothed. Her eyes were firmly on Zilan, already in his matching blue costume and a long ways up a ladder, affixing the final pieces of decoration for the set.
“For a nuwa in here!” Zilan complained loudly.
“Are you afraid of heights?” Iyva asked suddenly.
Kauri found herself grinning at the idea that this very brash, bold man was acrophobic!
“Everyone has a weakness somewhere,” Zilan answered with a shrug.
“I’ll do it,” Iyva offered.
“Not in your condition!” Zilan replied. “I’ve done some talking to the stella. You’re not to be climbing. You neither, Kauri.”
Kauri blushed deeply as the focus shifted to her and Derick sat next to her.
“I’m glad you took my advice seriously the other day!” Zilan kept chattering through his fear. “Fortunately, Saraca will be here today or tomorrow. She can perform your wedding too!”
“Congratulations, soon-to-be-Mrs. Aiden,” Derick said softly into Kauri’s ear.
She turned to kiss him. He was dressed in his swing dance competition outfit, looking so deliciously handsome.
“You’re so handsome, Mr. Aiden,” Kauri said unable to resist stealing another kiss. “But how would Zilan know? I can’t even get a test from a doctor or stella for another two weeks!”
“It’s one of those A’mara things,” Derick replied. “They know… too much sometimes!”
“It boggles my mind that he can know something like that when we didn’t even know it ourselves until he said it!” Kauri said, shaking her head in amazement.
“Crazy, isn’t it? But it sounds like you’re going to need to stop flying in the air for awhile, so let’s get this filming done,” Derick said, kissing her neck. “And we need to stop messing up our makeup.”
Zilan climbed down from the ladder after securing the last piece of scenery.
“Let’s go!” Derick called. “Places!”
Kauri joined Derick and Iyva stood with Zilan. She was beaming from ear to ear, excited to get dancing and filming.
As she waited for the music to start, she thought about how she trusted this man so absolutely – the way the trainer had taught her weeks ago. Other than the issue of his identity, he had proven himself completely worthy of her trust, respect and love.
Then, the music started and Kauri’s concentration focused on the man she loved, but as the character she had to perform her best dancing with. The choreography perfectly designed to show off all the skills she had learned, throws and spins, always landing back in Derick’s arms like some hazy dream that she had never dared to dream back in Irola.
Each move was performed without flaw, with the finesse of a professional. The months of practice were paying off as the song ended with a throw that landed her back in the arms of her lover.
The music ended and she and Derick sat down in the prearranged seats where Kauri gratefully sipped some water, her chest heaving with the aftermath of the exertion.
Someone called over the loudspeaker informing their characters of being included in the final dance-off – which would be against Iyva and Zilan’s characters.
Derick made the sign for the filming to stop.
“I’m having so much fun!” Iyva declared, getting a drink of water. She sat, her cheeks rosy from exertion.
“I’m having fun too,” Zilan admitted. “I never would have imagined having so much fun dancing! Thank you for making me do it!” He kissed Iyva.
“Try not to mess up your make up!” Derick reminded them.
“You’ve really mastered swing dance. You’ve been fabulous,” Derick said to Kauri.
“Thank you! I think that little bit of competition is making me work harder,” she said smiling at him, feeling her love increase again.
“That’s what we both needed,” he replied. “I have been working harder too – all for you.”
Kauri felt herself blushing again. She also felt humbled by the fact that this megastar loved her enough to do special things for her. It felt so amazing.
“He may be a megastar, Kauri. But he’s my friend, the man you’re going to marry, the father of your child. Fame is nothing – look where it’s got me!” Zilan said.
“I am still just Kanesh!” Derick said in a goofy accented voice, hugging Kauri. “But I’m your Kanesh – always!”
She smiled. “I love you, Kanesh, Derick, whatever you want me to call you. I’m yours!”
“I know,” he said, kissing her neck.
“Don’t mess up my make up!” she teased.
He laughed lightly. “Let’s get this last dance scene done!”
Kauri took one last swig of water and refreshed her deodorant.
“You smell wonderful!” Derick said grabbing one last kiss.
She grinned at him again as they took their positions on the floor, Iyva and Zilan near them, starting in a hold.
Kauri concentrated on their routine as the music began.
This routine was based on how they met in real life. To begin with, little moves, nothing amazing, but increasing in difficulty as they got to know each other. Suddenly, flips and a wraparound as they had been forced together on the ship. Tosses and swings followed to represent the beginnings of learning to dance together. The final move was a bold jump demonstrating the fact that she had really taken to flight with his help. She landed the jump without difficulty and the music ended. She looked at Derick who was beaming at her with obvious pride also heaving to catch his breath.
Iyva and Zilan looked similarly excited from the event.
Derick indicated to the cameramen who stopped filming.
But Kauri noticed that Zilan was looking edgy and uncomfortable.
“Down!” Zilan suddenly shouted as veleda bolts flew past and around them.
♥
If you have enjoyed this book, I would be grateful if you could put your thoughts as a review on Goodreads for me.
Other Chapters of this set
Acting the Part - chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Building on Promise - Chapter 1
Acting the Part, part 2 - Chapter 10
Spice of Strength - Chapter 1
Acting the Part, part 3 - Chapter 19, Chapter 28
Sands of Survival - Chapter 1
Acting the Part, part 4 - Chapter 29
Maps and Guides
- continents of Alacantis and Kranisis (five maps)
- continent of Almara (five maps)
- countries of Kri'enden and Yezi'im (four maps plus "other places")
- characters, pronunciation and glossary
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Brighid's Blood 2006 and 1200 B.T.C.E. Katja and Rachel are so desperate for love that they cast two love spells one night. But the Guardians do not consider spells "fun", but rather as cries for help from the very depths of your soul. Certainly Katja and Rachel could not have possibly imagined where these spells would take them! |
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Birth of the Neví 829 T.C.E. It is a tumultuous period of Terrenden history. As is all too common, there are those who wish to profit from the misfortune of others. Some of these come together in a new "charitable organization" and step on the toes of the notorious Uugli. Combine this with draconian new measures to combat pollution and Terrenden has a situation ripe for a power struggle. Book 1 in the Rise of the Neví series. |
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Rebound of Power: 850 T.C.E. Collection of Romance Terrenden is being terrorized by a previously underestimated Neví who, through the mysterious “Curator,” have been controlling elections all over the planet. In this collection, we meet some interesting women. Iyva - a homeless teenager in Irola whose untrained power leaves her close to death in Rebound of Power; Marc’la - a breeder of prized caballus in Kasago whose heart lives in the past in Friendship on Fire; Zukie - an abused widow whose heart is afraid to try for future happiness in Courage to Trust; Jenna - an elections assistant manager and masseuse who has a prejudice against A’mara in Elect to Change; Kami - a chola student in Varkevand who has been assigned to protect Ardin, a man who has his own reasons to distrust A’mara in Ocean of Empathy. |
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Acting the Part - 851 T.C.E. Collection of Romance The Neví have infiltrated the Terrenden Freedom Party. Dr. Jarly is on the run and the Curator still dominates the Terrenden stage. Famous actor, Derick Aiden has released his Neví expose film and now the Neví want him dead... In this collection, we meet more interesting women. Kauri - a simple receptionist who doesn’t realize one of her wildest dreams has come true; in Acting the Part Tirry - an elections manager who is always the bridesmaid and never the bride; in Building on Promise Zara - a chef who has all but given up on finding love for herself; and D'zani - who isn’t even looking, but has to chaperone her more vulnerable roommate; in Spice of Strength Soala - an heiress who is expected to marry, but refuses to marry someone she doesn’t love; and Moxara - one whose past griefs have locked away her heart in Sands of Survival. We also get updates on some of the lovely ladies we met previously. |
| COMING SOON | TO AN EBOOK STORE NEAR YOU!!! |
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Rise of the Neví - 830 T.C.E. In this series, the Neví begin their rise in power with the completion of several large housing projects that seem totally charitable, but also hide a great evil within. The draconian measures brought in the previous year has caused major distress throughout the world, perfect for giving the Neví a further foothold on the Terrenden stage. Will the A’mara, now removed from the Council of Peers, be able to shut down the Neví? Titles to include: Name of the Neví, Head of the Neví... |
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Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
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