22
(Wirnday, cont.)
Palerma, Tephsa – A’mara Complex
Derick Aiden greeted Kauri with a kiss when she came out of her room, her lasa perched on her shoulders already. Derick gave each of them attention as well, having grown fond of the creatures already. Streaker grabbed his finger as she seemed disposed to do.
“Don’t blame me if she draws blood!” Kauri scolded as he teased the creature into using her teeth more.
He laughed, wondering whether she would have been as inclined to scold him had she known who he really was. He had to admit that after living together for so many weeks, she would be unlikely to hold back, no matter who he was. He chuckled at the thought and pulled his finger away from the lasa. Then Derick returned his focus to Kauri.
“We have the trainer for one more day, so we’d better get breakfast,” he said.
He watched Kauri get the lasa to sit on their new bed at the window before closing her door. He kissed her again, then offered her his hand. They went together to breakfast.
Andrian noticed them and sat with them a few minutes. “Have you told her?” he asked Derick, when Kauri went to use the facilities.
“She knows as much as is necessary for the moment,” Derick replied.
“You sometimes forget how much I know without you saying it,” Andrian said. “Everyone here knows your secret. Maybe it’s time for Kauri to know too?”
“As soon as I can,” Derick promised imagining a scene at the rooftop waterfall where he would come clean and she would still love him.
“Maybe sooner than you think,” Andrian replied.
“I’ve noticed more people guarding me – has there been a development?” Derick asked.
Andrian replied. “I have heard that your presence here is known. It may be that they are waiting in order to find out who else you know. Maybe they know that one movie isn’t enough for you. In any case, yes, we’ve stepped up our guard because we’ve been informed that it may be required.”
“Thank you,” Derick replied.
“I really hope that your films do something useful – rather than just make you powerful enemies. Which is why I think you need to be more forthcoming with Kauri, by the way. She deserves to know.”
Andrian got up as Kauri returned.
“Abári, any idea how long we will have to be in hiding?” Kauri asked.
“We were just talking about that, Kauri. I honestly don’t know. Kanesh’s enemies know you’re here and are watching every step you take outside our Complex. That’s all I can tell you right now,” the man explained.
“Thank you,” she replied.
“Remember what I said, Mr. Kaarle,” Andrian said to Derick.
♥
Kauri thought again about the fact that somehow, through knowing Kanesh, her life was in danger. She didn’t feel very threatened with all the A’mara around her. But not being free to go where they wanted was beginning to wear on her after so many weeks away from Irola where she did what she liked – when she wasn’t working or crashing at home, she had to remind herself. Here, she didn’t even have to wash the dishes! Here, she lived with an extremely handsome man who seemed to love her as much as she’d fallen for him!
“Ready to dance?” Kanesh asked, breaking through her thoughts as she finished her breakfast.
“Isn’t it bad to dance on a full stomach?” she asked.
“Yes, but maybe you don’t mind walking with me for a bit first?”
She grinned at him as he took her hand.
They went to the rooftop where they liked to be so much.
“You really like this place, don’t you?” he asked her.
“Yes, it’s so green and lush. The rest of Tephsa seems so brown by comparison,” Kauri replied.
“Doesn’t Irola feel brown too?” Kanesh asked.
“I guess I didn’t really know until I got away from there. It doesn’t suit me as much as I’d always thought.”
“Where would you like to be, do you think?” Kanesh asked.
“I don’t know,” Kauri admitted. “Maybe I’d have to see a bunch of places first. I suppose you’ve been most places though – what do you like?”
“I grew up in Maalan. Sometimes I miss it a lot. I don’t know. Maybe find some snow in the winter, and green fields in the spring… beach in the summer… fall leaves too,” Kanesh replied.
“Sounds a bit dizzying,” she replied.
Kanesh laughed. “I suppose it might be!” he said. “Look, Kauri, I have something I need to tell you.” His voice sounded so different as he looked at her intently.
“What?” she asked gently wondering if that warble was about to be explained.
“Are you guys ready?” interrupted the voice of the trainer. “Andrian said I might find you up here.”
Kauri looked and saw the man arriving.
“We’re going to use the sparring room today,” the trainer said.
“I guess I’ll tell you later,” Kanesh said quietly.
Downstairs in the sparring room, the trainer had some new moves to teach Kauri. “If you can learn these moves, you can learn anything!” he said. “Dance into the cuddle position. Then stop.”
They did that.
“We’re both going to spot, so don’t worry,” the trainer said. “He is going to flip you backwards over his arm.”
“You’ve got to be joking!” Kauri replied laughing.
“Totally serious,” the trainer said. “You can do this. Are you willing to try?”
Kauri nodded, not completely sure this was a good idea.
“Kanesh is going to support you through it, so try not to worry. The only thing you have to do is push off, trust him and land. Okay?”
Kauri nodded.
“Kanesh, get into the position for when she’s supposed to kick off,” the trainer instructed.
Kanesh reached across her body and held her waist with one arm, and reached down to grab the back of her knee with the other. “Now!” the trainer called.
Kauri pushed up and Kanesh flipped her over until she was standing again. She was beaming. “Again?” she asked.
Kanesh nodded and they repeated the move.
Kauri loved every moment, especially as they learned another new move that had her wrapping around his body and swinging back to him. Then they continued practicing all the moves they’d been taught, the trainer correcting positions as necessary.
♥
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
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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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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also on: Whaleshares, WeKu
