24
(Silnaday)
The sun streamed in the window as Zara awoke on the couch, still in her dance clothes and Emeric’s arm still around her. A blanket was over them. She smiled, but also felt a little embarrassed.
“I guess I was very tired.”
“It’s okay. I think we both were,” he replied kissing her.
“I’m so glad I have a day off!” she said.
“You can spend it with me,” Emeric encouraged. “Your sister is also off today, so I can probably take it off too.”
“I really don’t want to have to talk to her right now!” Zara said, blushing. “She’s probably been up for hours too!”
“There’s nothing to blush about,” Emeric replied.
“Are Artem or Akeld awake? They’ll probably know you’re here with me.”
“I think Akeld is. Artem is still soundly asleep,” Emeric reported.
“Then my sister has been giggling non-stop!” Zara realized, blushing. “She won’t believe that we just slept!”
“Doesn’t matter what she thinks,” Emeric said, tracing her face with his gentle finger. It lingered on her lips. Then he kissed her gently, pressing his tongue towards hers. “Do you want a reason to blush?” he asked with clear longing, his hand moving down her dress to cup her breast.
“Not yet,” Zara said, giving in to more kisses.
“Your rules,” he said, removing his hand and kissing a few more times. “We’d probably better do something about breakfast. Then, we enjoy our day off together.”
Zara bravely led Emeric upstairs. She found a plate of pancakes on the counter with a note indicating she and Emeric should eat them. She looked through the kitchen window outside to where her sister was working in the garden, weeding and catching up from the week of work. Akeld was out there as well constructing a rabbit hutch with Kynu’s help.
“They are a lovely family,” Emeric said, his arms around her waist.
“Yes, they are. Akeld has been amazing for them – all of them. I worried about my sister when she was married to Vinu. He was so harmful to her. Then, when he died, she just stopped trying,” Zara said.
“How did Akeld manage it then?” Emeric asked.
“That was my fault in a way,” Zara said. She told the story as she reheated the pancakes and set the table in the breakfast nook. “Seven days after they met, they were engaged!”
“Wow. You know, it often happens that way with A’mara. Because we can feel the emotions, hear many thoughts, there’s not so much dancing and hiding from one another. There are exceptions, of course.”
Zara wondered what that meant now, for her.
She set the pancakes on the table and sat opposite Emeric. She carefully poured syrup around her pancake before cutting a piece out to eat. She watched Emeric and studied his face as he did the same, choosing a berry syrup.
“That’s got to be the best berry syrup I’ve ever tasted,” Emeric said. “Did you make it?”
“My sister did, actually – from homegrown berries in Iloren,” Zara said.
“Do you miss Iloren?” he asked.
“Sometimes, a bit. But my home has been with my sister and her children for so long that Jerven wouldn’t be home without them!”
Vaara came running in. “Aunty Zara!” she cried coming in to hug her aunt. “Your friend is here again?”
Zara nodded.
Vaara reached her ear and whispered, “I think he’s very nice! Mommy thinks he’s nice for you too!”
Zara laughed with a blush. “Thank you, sweetie. What’s your daddy doing today?”
“He’s building our rabbit hutch! Mommy says we’re getting a rabbit!” she bubbled excitedly.
Zukie came in a few minutes later. She said nothing, just raised her eyebrows at Zara.
“Sis,” Zara said pretending to be perturbed.
“I said nothing,” Zukie protested.
“But you were thinking many things!” Zara replied.
Emeric laughed. “Nothing happened,” he added.
Zukie nodded her head in a non-convinced way.
“I’m taking the day off, Zukie,” Emeric informed her.
“I should hope so,” Zukie replied. “Zara doesn’t get many days off after all. She only has one other chef that can mostly cover for her!”
“I will endeavor to be the second one,” Emeric promised.
“You two get out of here. I’ll clean up!” Zukie said.
In the Wind Rose, many of the other A’mara were just getting a late breakfast as well. Although Cyanus hadn’t attended the Blast 2, he and Nina joined the others for a brunch, wanting to hear how the evening had gone.
“So, nothing happened last night?” Cyanus asked Ory.
“No. I think whatever they were planning to do was called off,” Ory said.
“That is good, but also bad,” Obion said.
“They still have all they need to try it again,” Ory replied.
“Exactly,” Cyanus said. “I think A’mara presence at the Blast 2 is going to have to become a regular thing.”
He looked up and saw Seryan approaching.
“I heard that Emeric did a fine job dancing last night!” Cyanus said as he went to pass. “Please sit with us.”
“He did,” Seryan said as he slid in across from Cyanus and Nina.
“He kind of danced with Zara all evening,” Ory said. “Then they left together.”
“I haven’t seen Emeric today yet,” Seryan said.
Nina giggled. “A ceremony coming up maybe?” she speculated to her husband.
“Maybe,” Cyanus said with a smile. “We still have Murin and Catalia’s to do anyway. Maybe we’ll get to do two!”
“When they get back with Kinokei, perhaps,” Nina suggested.
“It’s up to them, as always. I don’t push these things,” he reminded.
“Abári, did you ever talk to Saraca about the ones we saw on the surveillance video?” Ory asked.
“Yes, I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you before,” Cyanus replied. “The girl, was indeed, Iyva, a teenage student who went missing about a year ago.”
“With a Death Edict on her?” Ory said with obvious sadness.
“The Neví do not distinguish based on age – only the ability to function. The girl functioned against them – however that was – and they have treated her the same way they treat any traitor – with a Death Edict. But she sounds to be in capable hands and will be safe enough until we can find out more about the situation. Feel free to keep investigating, Ory,” Cyanus encouraged. “You have very sound instincts and should work with them.”
Ory smiled, but didn’t blush. A skill that had been mastered, Cyanus noted.
“He usually only needs to be reminded once,” Obion said. “It is rare for him to make the same mistake twice.”
“Admirable quality,” Cyanus said. “I would have been saved many embarrassments throughout my life had I learned that as a chola!”
“I wish I could go to Joton myself and discover Iyva and her companion,” Ory said.
Cyanus could tell that the youth was trying to get the subject back off him. “But if they are running and hiding from people, just pursuing them could cause them to run again – and maybe get into further trouble. Best to let them be until they are ready to be known by us. If they were a threat to us, we would’ve known already.”
“Perhaps if we talk to the Joton Complex again, they could have someone join the Joton Shaze Academy with the sole purpose being to learn more about Iyva and her companion.”
“It might work,” Cyanus said. “I will leave that in your capable hands, Ory.”
Ory smiled. “I will get on that right away!” he promised.
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
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verified author on Goodreads
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