30
(Vasanaday, cont.)
“Where do you want to go after lunch?” D’zani asked Elíaz as they ate. “Eventually, Cyanus is going to need me to work for my keep again.”
“Maybe he’d let me work by your side, considering that our lives are now bound together by the Edict,” Elíaz said.
“We were already ‘involved’ - as you pointed out several times, Elíaz,” D’zani reminded him.
“Yes,” he replied with a grin. He grabbed her hand and kissed it.
“Anyway, I’m sure Cyanus would be open to that considering the situation,” D’zani said.
“Of course I’m open to that,” Cyanus said, joining them. “But let’s give Elíaz a few days just to settle. Tomorrow, I want to see where he is in his shaze skills. The warehouse battle reminded us how important it is to keep our skills sharp.”
“Thanks,” Elíaz said. “I’m still amazed at how you’ve been willing to take me in. I never would have expected it.”
“It is my job to figure out what’s truly inside you,” Cyanus said. “It’s why I wear the fringe – I didn’t ask for it. D’zani, I think you should show him the greenhouses.”
“Seriously?!” Elíaz asked. “I would love that! I’ve always wanted to see them, but couldn’t as a Balan, of course.”
“We’re going to need a new head gardener from what I’ve been hearing,” Cyanus replied. “Maybe you’d be interested in learning. It would keep Balan eyes off of you a bit more too.”
“I will consider it,” Elíaz promised.
“I heard something about a proposal this morning in this restaurant,” D’zani said with a grin.
“Oh?” Elíaz asked, raising his eyebrows.
Cyanus nodded towards the kitchen. “You’ve missed most of the romantics, Elíaz,” Cyanus explained as he told the story.
“I’ve got to get back to work,” Cyanus apologized and left.
“Let’s go to the greenhouses,” D’zani said, noticing they were both done with their meal.
Elíaz grabbed her hand and they walked across the Triangle to the greenhouses.
“Why do you call it the Triangle, when it clearly isn’t?” Elíaz asked.
“Oh. You’re one of those?!” she teased. “It’s because the other half of the quad is taken up by gardens. So, we only see a triangle, in many ways.”
“I see,” he said. “I was only really teasing you as well.”
They reached the first greenhouse when he pulled D’zani to him for a deep kiss of longing.
“I haven’t had one of those all day!” he breathed. “It’s sort of hard when there’s always people around.”
“Yes,” D’zani said reaching for another kiss.
“Not another one!” another voice said.
D’zani looked and saw the tall young man wearing a Kri’enden cloak. She laughed. “Elíaz, this is Seryan, chola to Emeric.”
“I saw you at the meeting,” Seryan said. “Well done on the Edict. I hope you can outlive those who imposed it.”
“Me too,” Elíaz said, looking at D’zani with enough longing to make her blush.
“I’ve heard the rumor that Emeric is going to be working the restaurant now. Where does that leave you? I see you’re still in here,” D’zani asked the chola.
“I’m going to keep covering the greenhouse until we get a new head in here. Then, Cyanus is planning on me performing my trials. Then, who knows where I’ll be!” Seryan said smiling in his upbeat way.
“Can you give us a tour? Elíaz has seen these greenhouses his entire life, but never been inside until now.”
“Of course,” Seryan replied. “I’d be delighted.”
After a lengthy tour of all the various habitules, D’zani barely stepped outside the building when Elíaz pulled her to the ground as a Veleda bolt flew over their heads.
Seryan was instantly with them, deflecting further bolts away, but the assailant ran off just as quickly. He sheathed his weapon again.
“Your Edict defied once more,” Seryan said with a grin as he offered hands to help the two back up to standing.
“Thank you,” Elíaz said. “Let’s get back into the safety of the Complex, D’zani.”
She nodded.
“How are we going to stay safe without having to always be hiding?” she asked when they reached the Complex lounge.
“I don’t know,” Elíaz said. “I’m so sorry I brought you into the middle of this. We will figure out something, I promise.”
Dinner service ended. Zara hung up her chef’s apron and hat. She washed her hands and face, glad to be done. Emeric joined her, washing his own hands, but he flicked the last bit of water onto her face.
“Hey!” Zara cried.
“I promise to clean it up,” he said, kissing her all over her face, as if chasing every drop of water. He finished at her lips which promptly responded with her own kisses.
A giggle broke them apart.
One of the sous-chefs tried to clear her grin.
“Congrats, Chef. He must be good for you. You’re so much more cheerful now. I mean, you’ve always been a good boss, but you’re so much nicer now,” she said.
“Thank you,” Zara said. She picked up a box of service leftovers that would feed the family tonight.
“Let me take you home,” Emeric said, taking her other hand.
They walked the short distance to the modest house at the edge of town.
“Aunty Zara!” came the cries and hugs as she walked in.
“Let me put down your dinner, guys!” she said. “I have some news for you. Let’s go into the living room for a minute.”
Zara sat down and Emeric sat with her.
“You’re going to have an uncle,” Zara said to them. “Uncle Emeric.”
Vaara’s eyes grew wide. “Your friend? Is he going to live with us too?”
“If that’s okay with you guys,” Zara replied.
“You’re getting married?” Raani asked. “Do I get to be in the wedding?”
“You’ll be right there on the front row, just like you were with your Mom’s wedding,” Zara promised.
Vaara turned and hugged Emeric. “I’m glad you’re going to be my uncle!” she whispered loudly.
“I’m glad too,” Emeric said, clearly fighting back tears. “There is so much love in this house. I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”
“You’re a good guy,” Kynu said giving Emeric a stiff hug. “Do you want to see our new rabbit hutch?”
“I’d love to!” Emeric said, letting the boy lead him into the back.
“Sis!” Zukie said, hugging Zara as tightly as she dared. “I’ve been crying all day long for you!”
“Me too! I’m so happy it’s hard to believe it!” Zara said. “My heart is so full!”
Finally, the excited children went to bed. Zara turned to Emeric. “Let’s go downstairs,” she said quietly.
“You meant it. I’m here now?” he asked tentatively. “You don’t feel that I’m pushing you too much?”
“If that’s okay with you. I figured I have a little more personal space than you do right now,” Zara said, leading the way.
“Of course it’s okay! If it was up to me, I’d never be away from you again!” Emeric said, closing the door behind them. He drew her into his arms. “Miss Vine, I wish to thank you for agreeing to be mine.” He kissed her.
“I can’t believe what you did today!” Zara said, moving towards the couch. “That was crazy wonderful!”
“Today, I realized that it was that Day 7 you had mentioned, and figured it was worth the risk. You are worth the risk, you know,” Emeric replied kissing her.
“Ulterior motive?” she asked feeling his hands across her body, awakening her longing again.
“Perhaps,” he said grinning, lifting her shirt from her. “You had thought about how much you had wanted me yesterday, but were scared about the lack of commitment. So, I figured I’d fix part of that.”
“Aren’t you scared?” she asked, accepting his more intimate caresses.
“Terrified!” he admitted, removing his tunic. “But I’m more terrified of letting a fabulous woman like you down – of losing you because I’m afraid of a little ceremony…. Of sharing a house… or having children.”
“Speaking of children…,” she said, breathing heavily at the caress of Emeric’s hands over her nakedness. She wondered that she was still standing when she felt so weak at his touch.
“I can use something,” he offered, his remaining garments now on the floor. “Your hormones are pretty much peaking, I think.”
“If you must,” she replied. “But you know, I’m 31. I’m not getting any younger. Now that we’re getting married…”
“That was one of the reasons I chose to be public – so that you could know that I wouldn’t let you down,” Emeric said carrying her towards the bed.
“Just love me,” she whispered desperately.
“Yes, Chef!” he whispered obediently.
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
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. |
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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; Marc’la - a breeder of prized caballus in Kasago whose heart lives in the past; Zukie - an abused widow whose heart is afraid to try for future happiness; Jenna - an elections assistant manager and masseuse who has a prejudice against A’mara; Kami - a chola student in Varkevand who has been assigned to protect Ardin, a man who has his own reasons to distrust A’mara. |
| COMING SOON | TO AN EBOOK STORE NEAR YOU!!! |
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| Rise of the Neví - 830 T.C.E. 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? |
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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; Tirry - an elections manager who is always the bridesmaid and never the bride; Zara - a chef who has all but given up on finding love for herself; D'zani - who isn’t even looking, but has to chaperone her more vulnerable roommate; Soala - an heiress who is expected to marry, but refuses to marry someone she doesn’t love; Moxara - one whose past griefs have locked away her heart. We also get updates on some of the lovely ladies we met previously. |
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Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
find me on Twitter
also on: Whaleshares, WeKu, and Bearshares
