by Viola Grace
“I am aware. But if you could, would you?” Lyrica nodded. “I would love another child.”
“Good. I will see what I can do. There are members of the Sector Guard and Citadel who might be able to help.”
Lyrica whispered, “Do you think they would?”
“I believe that Shivi is in a position to do some negotiating. I can try, and if I can’t manage it, I am sure Kema can.”
“She is really coming here?”
“Yes. You birthed me, but she is my mom. Nothing will ever change that, just like Eera will always be my little sister. You gave me another family, but it doesn’t mean I am not grateful for you.”
“Kema Washley was the strongest woman I have ever met. I knew when your talent manifested that she was the one that would keep you safe, and she did.”
Kescu nodded. “She certainly did. She also had me working using my talent. If the building is not on fire around me, she is the reason.” The dinner continued on, and when Lorvik took her hand, kissed her wrist and stood up, it was time to retire for the evening.
Kes held Lor’s arm as they walked through the halls to their rooms. “I think it was a good day.” He smiled. “I am glad. Tomorrow, we start negotiating to allow a Citadel outpost and school for talents.”
“I know. I have just the thing I want to ask for.” She smiled smugly and imagined Lyrica and Jerrin with a child they could raise. They had missed out on her early life, but there was no reason that it had to continue that way. The Guard had a member named Reset who seemed particularly suited to healing this particular situation.
“Good. I was afraid you would be satisfied with me.”
She laughed and turned to him in the hall, holding him tight. “I am very satisfied with you. I didn’t know that they just handed you over without a qualm. Perhaps I should have asked for a pony… ”
He snorted and leaned down to kiss her. “I already have more than I asked for, so let’s get some privacy, and we can negotiate how much time you will spend talking to off-worlders while I engage in more botanical pursuits.” She scowled. “You are going to have to negotiate like a madman for me to give in to that. Perhaps we should run it on a three-month contract. That way, there would always be room for renegotiation.”
He grinned, and he swung her into his arms, carrying her to their chambers for an exhaustive session of negotiations. In the end, she agreed to deal with off-worlders if he would spend two days a week teaching Eera how to work with plants.
The next round might involve different concessions, but Kescu smiled as she lay in his arms, knowing that the next time would appear far sooner than she had imagined. Now that Lorvik was allowed to touch her, he had no inclination to stop anytime soon.
It wasn’t a sprint across the ice, but her life was taking on a new excitement, and it didn’t involve life-threatening events or time away from family.
It was literally the best of both worlds.
Author’s Note
Ice Runner started strong, and then, I called my mom, and it got all mushy. Blame my mom. ☺
Thanks for reading,
Viola Grace
http://www.violagrace.com
About the Author
Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there. She has no pets and can barely keep sea monkeys alive for a reasonable amount of time.
Her line of day job tends to be analytical which leaves her mind hopping to weave stories. No co-worker is safe from her character analysis. In keeping with busy hands are happy hands, her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain mail, and a few others that have been forgotten. It is quite often that these hobbies make their way into her tales.
Viola’s fetishes include boots and corsetry, and her greatest weakness is her uncontrollable blush.
Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. It is an admirable thing and something that we should all strive for. To find one that we truly like, as well as love.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Author’s Note
About the Author