23
(Wirnday, cont.)
Zara didn’t see Zukie anywhere when she and Emeric came in. The house was quiet and the only lights that remained on were the ones to guide the club-goers to their bedrooms. Zara figured her sister was probably asleep.
She tiptoed through the house, followed slowly by Emeric who followed her downstairs.
She opened the door and turned on the lights, closing the door behind them again.
“We should still keep our voices down as they carry a bit,” Zara advised quietly. “Do you want a drink?”
“Sure,” he replied. “Just some cocoa, if you have any.”
“Sounds perfect,” she said, starting the kettle and getting the mugs ready.
She felt his arms around her waist and his lips on her neck. “Are you okay?” he asked softly.
Zara nodded, but the tears made a liar out of her.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked.
Zara wasn’t sure if she wanted to talk about it or not.
“It might make you feel better… well, after we cry first,” Emeric said.
The kettle rumbled to a finish with a click. Zara poured the boiling water into the mugs. “I can add a bit of milk to it if you like,” she offered, going to the chiller. “Otherwise, it is ages before it’s cool enough for me to drink.”
“I like it hot,” Emeric replied.
Zara nodded, then added a little milk to her cocoa. She returned the jug to the chiller.
“Now, let’s go sit down,” he said. He sat on the couch and Zara sat next to him.
Emeric put his arm around her and pulled her closer. “Now, what’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?” he asked.
“I already told you about my ex-boyfriend. The one I thought I was going to marry,” Zara said.
“The one who decided to ditch you for someone else? The guy was dumb for sure, but I’m glad he was – otherwise I couldn’t be with you like this,” Emeric said.
He turned Zara’s head and covered her lips with his. She kissed him hungrily, desperately.
“I didn’t think I’d find anyone after that,” Zara said when their lips parted. “I didn’t think I wanted to risk it. I’m still not sure.”
“But...”
“Oh, Emeric! You help me in the kitchen, even when I try to make you go away. You learn to dance, just for me! What next?!” she asked, shaking her head before kissing him desperately again.
“I can think of a lot of ‘next,’ things to do for you,” he said. “Anything to make you feel my love, every day.”
“You said once that you had your own reasons to be shy. What happened?” Zara asked.
“A few years ago. I was nervous at first anyway – just like I was with you. I tried offering help and was repulsed. Not just repulsed, but she acted like I’d done the worst thing imaginable – as if I was saying she was helpless. Each time I tried, she did it again. I don’t know why I tried the second time, really,” Emeric said.
“I’m sorry. She wasn’t worthy of you, I guess,” Zara replied.
“I’ve run into several women like that. Ones who are so independent that they didn’t need me. That’s why I was shy. I was scared that you were too independent – that you wouldn’t need someone like me,” he said.
“But you are exactly the kind of man I do need,” Zara said. “You know, I’m the one who told Zukie to look for A’mara. Yet, it had never completely occurred to me to look for one myself. Even with A’mara around me all the time now!”
“I think I’m grateful you’d never looked then. It gave me a fighting chance, Zara,” Emeric said.
Zara nuzzled against him feeling that just maybe her heart was safe at last.
“Time to go home,” Elíaz said, reluctantly getting up off the couch he was still sharing with D’zani. She had nearly fallen asleep in his arms several times, but she told him that she’d promised to look after Vissia. But that was before Vissia had gone off with Breckan.
Elíaz knew Breckan wasn’t far, but also knew it would cause D’zani distress to know what they had been doing this whole time. It would serve no purpose to go “there” right now – besides, then he’d have to confess to being Balan, which he didn’t want to do… especially when he was questioning his own allegiance.
Vissia joined them as D’zani stood wearily. The younger woman was very flushed and Elíaz could feel Breckan’s leya imprint all over Vissia. He knew that D’zani would be able to feel it too, though she was weary, so it could have escaped her notice.
Breckan had behaved as a Balan was meant to behave. Elíaz was the one who would get the censure from Tasp in the morning.
In the open night air, he still held D’zani’s hand. She held her cloak closed with her other hand to ward off the evening chill.
“I’ve got to hurry back,” Breckan excused and disappeared into the night.
Vissia’s face fell with the disappointment of betrayal. She didn’t yet know how much his roommate had betrayed her, Elíaz realized, feeling bitterness on her behalf.
“I will walk you ladies home,” he volunteered.
“Thank you,” Vissia said, not bothering to hide her disappointment.
D’zani walked hand-in-hand with Elíaz. He felt her yearning for his kisses again. He could feel how she tried to guard her thoughts, but it really wasn’t working. She’d just get the thought out of her head when it steamrolled back in. She wanted more – and so did he.
They finally reached the A’mara Complex and Vissia went in, leaving D’zani alone with Elíaz.
“You are braver tonight,” D’zani observed. “This is the closest you’ve been to the Complex door.”
“All for you. Just don’t subject me to the abári and his wife yet!” he begged. Then he kissed her. His deep, possessive kiss awakened a demon in her, as she returned his kisses with her own desperation. He knew that it was probably because her hormones were on the rise. He would have to keep an even closer eye on her – he wouldn’t be the only one to have noticed!
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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also on: Whaleshares, WeKu, and Bearshares
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