17
(Tharnday, cont.)
Zukie hoped she hadn’t messed things up as she entered the house at the edge of Towani City nearest the A’mara Complex. Although her sister continued to insist on doing the cooking whenever she wasn’t working, the house was worryingly lacking of cooking smells and sounds. She knew Zara was off tonight.
“We’re having a couple of workmates to supper tonight,” Zukie announced, not sure which direction to go. She’d check downstairs in a minute.
“That’s fine!” Zara called from the other room. “You may have to go without though.”
“What?!” Zukie called back.
“Just kidding, Sis!” Zara said, coming out of the living room and giving her sister a hug. “I was just giving you a hard time for not giving me advance warning. Fortunately for you, I hadn’t started anything yet.”
“Sorry. It only occurred to me spur-of-the-moment,” Zukie said.
“Just think how you used to prefer everything so well planned,” Zara said. “I was the chaotic one. Now look at you!”
“I blame the pregnant brain for that!” Zukie said, rubbing her baby bump.
“I will accept that excuse… for now!” Zara replied. “So, what are we having?”
“Whatever is easy,” Zukie said. “We’re not impressing critics or anything.”
“Just the kids,” Zara said. “They’re the hardest critics of all!”
“At least they’re beyond the food-throwing stage!”
“Except one,” Zara said. “You’re not going to be a food-thrower, are you?” she hinted at the bump.
“Just A’mara and stella,” Zukie said as Akeld and Artem came in.
“What’s that?” Akeld asked. Artem went to his room down the hall.
“Kinokei told me that our baby is going to be A’mara and stella – like Kinokei is.”
“Could be quite a challenge for her,” Akeld said seriously.
“She said as much, but she will train our daughter if she is permitted,” Zukie said.
“You know I give permission,” Akeld said, holding her to him.
“Kinokei was actually talking about our daughter permitting her,” Zukie replied.
“She will need to be versed in all the basic A’mara disciplines,” Akeld said. “That’s for her own protection as much as anything else.”
“But she will have to want it,” Zukie replied. “I won’t force it.”
“I don’t wish to argue,” he said kissing her. “I leave it in your very capable hands – but I can tell she’s going to be a fun one to raise – well, if you and your sister are anything to judge by!”
“Well, I’d better get our supper started!” Zara said, going into the kitchen.
“We’re having guests?” Akeld asked quietly, leading Zukie to the couch and sitting down.
“Yes, a certain co-worker of mine and his chola,” Zukie replied relaxing with her husband. “I haven’t mentioned any names to her, nor did I tell him that she will be cooking tonight.”
“It’s a good idea. I hope it helps. Just them being in the same house and relaxing will be beneficial, I think,” Akeld said.
“The kids will be along any second, I expect,” Zukie said as she noticed Zara scurrying around the dining room, putting out a small snack of cheesesticks for the youngsters who came barreling in excitedly. They invaded the living room, joining their parents on the couch, telling them what had happened in school that day, regardless of whether it was possible for anyone to hear them.
“The couch is never just for us, is it?” Akeld said with amusement.
“Nope,” Zukie said as Kynu sat between them and Raani and Vaara sat on either side.
“I scraped my knee on the playground today!” Kynu said, proudly showing the colorful bandage over the wound. “My teacher was going to send you a message about it.”
“I’ll have to look in a bit then,” Zukie said. “Best take a bath tonight to soak it well.”
“Our teacher let us pet her lasa!” Raani said, Vaara nodded excitedly.
“Can we have a lasa?” Vaara asked.
“Lasas require a lot of care,” Zukie said. “Maybe you could start with a hamster.”
“Pets?” Akeld asked hesitantly.
“You two learn how to take care of a hamster and we’ll consider it,” Zukie said.
The kids ran off to play.
“They have to learn sometime, Akeld.”
“I suppose. How about a rabbit? We moved to this house instead of the Complex so you could have your garden, maybe there’s a little space out there,” he suggested pulling her into his arms.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Zukie said meeting a kiss with her own.
Vaara came back and snuggled on Zukie’s lap. Akeld put his arm around her as well.
“Thank you for giving me a family,” Akeld said. “I didn’t know what I was missing before!”
“Thank you for loving all of us!” Zukie said.
The knock on the door told them that their guests had arrived.
“I’ll get it,” Akeld volunteered, then welcomed Emeric and Seryan to their home. Seryan wasted no time getting to know the youngsters, especially Kynu who was delighted to have someone new to spend time with. Artem came out of his room and joined in with the games.
“Just think! There was a time, not too long ago, when the idea of A’mara to entertain was completely foreign. Now, it’s just normal,” Zukie said watching Seryan play with Kynu.
“It’s a good thing,” Akeld said, sitting with her again, his arm around her.
Emeric Jalairs had felt her presence instantly upon entering the apartment. He could feel himself tensing and freezing up. He wished he could make himself relax! He was fine around Cyanus. Heck, he’d even talked to Saraca before. No problem! But Zara was totally different. He was tempted to forget it and go back to his quarters. But that wouldn’t be fair to Seryan who had taken his cloak off and was already enjoying the company of the children. He couldn’t deny his chola the chance to relax and just be a kid for awhile, no matter how uncomfortable it made him. He sat on an easy chair and watched the kids climb over Seryan as he played with them. It was also easy to keep watching the chef in the kitchen as she worked her magic, both with the food, and with him. He wished he felt comfortable enough to just go and talk to her in the kitchen.
“Why don’t you?” Akeld asked, breaking into Emeric’s thoughts.
“What?” Emeric asked quickly, feeling the panic well up in him. He had forgotten Akeld was still sitting on the couch.
“Go and talk to her! Maybe she could use some help after all. She’s always talking about how she could use a chola in the kitchen,” Akeld encouraged. “Here, I’ll make it easier for you. Come with me.”
Emeric got up timidly and walked with Akeld into the kitchen.
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!!! |
| 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
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