22
(Wirnday, cont.)
D’zani saw Elíaz and Breckan waiting outside the Blast 2 as she and Vissia approached. Vissia ran up to Breckan and hugged him amorously. He greeted her with a kiss that D’zani knew would incite Vissia. Breckan took Vissia’s hand and they hurried inside.
Elíaz reached D’zani and kissed her quickly. “We’ve got to keep them in our sights,” he said urgently, leading her inside after the others. “I hope she will be okay enough.”
It was already very loud inside, between the music, conversation and laughter.
“Vissia is very naïve,” D’zani said into his ear, to make sure he heard. “But why are you so worried about her?”
“I’ve heard… things,” he replied into her ear.
“So have we,” D’zani answered. “There are extra A’mara here tonight – for that very reason.”
“I hope that’s enough. Let’s just dance and keep an eye on Breckan and your friend,” Elíaz said beginning to dance with D’zani, his eyes not on her except for the occasional glance.
“Do you know something I should know?” D’zani asked, more than slightly concerned.
“He’s a guy, what do you think?” Elíaz replied with a sheepish grin.
“So are you,” D’zani said. “So, you being cautious is more cause for alarm.”
“Let’s just keep an eye on them, that’s all,” Elíaz said.
A slow song encouraged D’zani to dance slowly, in Elíaz’s embrace. She put her head on his shoulder and felt his strong arms holding her snugly against him.
D’zani could barely see Vissia. She was snuggled similarly against Breckan as they danced.
“I need the restroom,” D’zani said to Elíaz.
“I’ll come with you,” he said, escorting her to the door. “I will keep an eye on them.”
“Thanks,” she said grateful that she had her own backup.
Elíaz stood next to the restroom, keeping an eye on Breckan and D’zani’s friend.
His PCS link buzzed. Fortunately, it was just a message, he couldn’t have heard anything except through the leya with as noisy as the club was.
“Abort action,” was the message.
He sighed with relief. Elíaz wasn’t surprised. The A’mara had clearly been tipped off, maybe he had said enough to alarm D’zani and she passed on the message. Regardless of how, they were present in full force.
He was also relieved, he realized, when D’zani returned to him. He kissed her in hidden relief. They rejoined the dance floor for another slow song. He was grateful for the opportunity to just hold her to him. He hadn’t realized he’d been that worried about her being away from him for a few minutes. He kissed her hair as they danced. He knew she could feel them, just as surely as he could feel the kisses of her heart.
“You were worried about me,” D’zani said, looking at him.
“Yes,” he replied. “But I’m not anymore.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s clear that you guys have everything in hand tonight,” he replied. “That made all the difference.”
Zara had been surprised again by Emeric. He had been dancing all evening so far. Near her and with her, holding her close to him. Repeatedly, it had brought her close to tears. That had also taken her by surprise. She was normally so stoic, yet something about this man melted her heart so much that it kept trying to leak out her eyes. She hid the tears against his tunic and cloak.
“How are things going?” Zara asked him, not lifting her head.
“Very well,” he said, nuzzling enough to kiss her.
“I meant with everything going on here,” she said when her lips were free.
“It’s quiet,” he confirmed. “We may have scared them away with all the A’mara here.”
“That’s good,” Zara said. “You know, you’re a good dancer.”
“Thank you. I’m only copying what everyone else is doing,” Emeric replied.
“That’s all anyone ever does.”
“I learned just for you, you know,” he whispered, stroking her hair.
“Really?” Zara asked, amazed. “No one has ever done something like that for me before.”
She looked at him feeling that same bewilderment that she had been experiencing since he’d come for supper. She didn’t understand how someone could be so wonderful – and with her, holding her, kissing her. The tears came unbidden again and she buried her eyes against his tunic again.
“You don’t have to cry,” he said, stroking her more. “I love you, Zara.”
Her tears started streaming more at that. She wanted to tell him that she loved him too.
“I know,” he answered her thoughts. “I can feel it in everything you do. I wish you could feel how much I love you, then you wouldn’t be so afraid. Let’s go sit down a bit.”
Zara nodded weakly and went with him to the corner of the room where a couch was currently vacant.
Emeric sat and pulled her into his embrace. “Tell me about it. Tell me about all the hurt so I can help you feel better again.”
“Not here,” she said.
“Shall I take you home?” he asked gently. “There are more than enough A’mara here to watch the young ladies.”
Zara nodded.
The hour was getting later and Elíaz felt D’zani tiring.
“Let’s go sit down,” Elíaz suggested.
She nodded.
He led her to a spot in the corner where they sat together, his arm around her.
D’zani looked at him invitingly. He eagerly bestowed the kiss that she had requested.
“I haven’t had enough of these tonight!” Elíaz said before giving her another, deeper kiss.
He felt D’zani responding fully to him. He eagerly sampled her taste again and was pleased by how much she gave him.
“Definitely needed some of these!” Elíaz said as one kiss ended.
“Me too!”
“And you tried to tell me that we weren’t involved,” Elíaz said with a grin.
“I wanted to think I was still in control of myself,” D’zani replied.
“But you aren’t, are you? And that frightens you,” Elíaz said. “It’s okay. It frightens me too. I’m getting in so much trouble because of how I feel for you.”
D’zani initiated the next ardent kiss. Elíaz felt her tongue taste his lips before dancing to taste more of his mouth. Then, he felt her wondering what Vissia would say to her. <Damn!> he thought violently, looking around, breaking away from the kiss.
“Where’s Vissia and Breckan?!” D’zani asked suddenly.
“Flypp it!” Elíaz exclaimed, leaping to his feet. <Bring her back!> he sent to Breckan.
<Butt out!> came the response.
Elíaz’s guard on his frustration came down a moment.
D’zani, apparently, picked up on it. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I’m just upset that I let down my guard and lost sight of our friends,” he replied.
“You think there’s something wrong with that?” D’zani asked.
“I’m sure your friend is fine,” Elíaz said, forcing his emotions to cooperate.
“I wish I felt as confident as you let on,” D’zani said.
“Try to trust your friend with herself,” Elíaz said. “I know it is hard.”
“Our stella said something similar to me recently. It is hard. She needs a maqla, but we don’t have enough right now.”
“Breckan is just a normal enough guy,” Elíaz said. “He’s not going to harm her, of that, I am certain. I would trust my younger brother with him.”
“Good, but would you trust him with your younger sister?” she asked.
Elíaz ignored the question. He knew he couldn’t answer it in a way that would give D’zani any confidence in the situation. “Let’s dance,” he suggested. “Then, we can see them when they come back in the room. Maybe she just got too warm and needed some fresh air.”
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
|
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! |
|
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. |
|
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? |
|
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. |
Writing and artwork copyright myself 2005-2018 – all rights reserved.
If you are interested in helping me publish these works, please contact me on Facebook or Discord, viking-ventures#2883.
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
Banner by @shai-hulud
