“What is this?” Vareen gasped out.
Cali laughed at the look on her face, “It gets better when the sweet nectar kicks in. Usually after the first few sips.”
Vareen didn’t know if she believed her friend but took another sip to be nice. It actually did taste a bit less sour and sweeter.
“So, how are you feeling?” Cali eyed her carefully. “I wanted to visit with you more at the hospital, but Jaden advised against it. When you were released I offered to have you come to Renari, but I was outvoted.”
Vareen didn’t know that Cali had wanted her to go to Renari. “Who outvoted you?” she asked her friend even though she knew the answer.
“Well, the doctor discussed it with us.” Vareen could see that her friend was hemming and hawing over what to say. “That is to say, Drake, Mica and I all felt—”
Vareen decided it was time to get everything in the open before her poor friend gave herself a heart attack. “I want to know Cali. It’s okay to tell me.”
Chapter Nineteen
Cali took a sip of her drink. Avoiding eye contact she murmured, “I don’t know what you mean…”
Vareen sighed, “I’ve had moments of what I think are fantasies, but it could be they are actually memories. They all started when I went to Mica’s home in Jataci and are all centered on him.”
“I see,” Cali eyed her speculatively. “How do you react when you experience these fantasies?”
“Are they fantasies or real? Do you know?” Vareen pressed for the truth.
Cali bit her lip, indecision all over her face. Finally, she sighed, “I’m sorry Vareen I don’t know all the details of your time together with Mica. It’s possible that you’re remembering, not fantasizing.” Her friend watched her intently, her body tense.
Vareen lifted her hands to indicate her head, “I’m okay Cali. I swear, I don’t have the sharp pains anymore and I’m able to handle the slight twinges I do get. Talking with me isn’t going to cause me to have an episode.”
Cali still didn’t look convinced and her words proved it, “How do you know that for sure?”
Vareen sighed, “That’s the problem. I’m not sure. It’s not easy to find someone willing to talk to me. You’re the first person I’ve asked about the fantasies. I’ve been gauging Mica’s reactions to me and I think we’re closer than he admitted.”
“Why don’t you speak with him?”
“There is still a part of me that worries that I’m going crazy and all that I’m seeing is just in my mind. That Mica doesn’t feel for me what I’m imagining. I have to know if there is more to us before I make a fool of myself. I don’t think I can handle it if I’m wrong.” Vareen admitted to Cali.
Her friend grabbed her hand and squeezed, “I think that Mica is the person you need to talk to Vareen. I can confidently tell you that the males of Titus have feelings that run deep,” her friend paused and then blurted. “Mica’s feelings for you run very deep.”
Cali held her breath waiting and Vareen wanted to laugh again. The confirmation that Mica cared for her didn’t cause anything but a small sting in her temples.
“Vareen, Mica wants to know if you’re ready to try the food court?” Drake entered the tent and Cali jumped up.
“Drake,” her friend's voice was unusually high. “I think I would enjoy the food courts as well.”
“I’ll just wait outside with Mica then.” Drake moved to back out of the ten giving Cali an odd look as he went.
When he was gone Cali turned to her. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. Everything is fine Cali. Thank you for talking with me,” Vareen assured her friend. “I’ll speak with Mica the first chance I get.”
Cali was obviously relieved, “I’m glad.”
“Vareen?!” Mica called from outside the tent.
“I’m coming,” Vareen stood up and walked with Cali out and onto the path. Both males followed behind talking about the challenges. Vareen caught the smell of the food tents before they reached the food court. At first, there was a sweet smell drifting on the air, then it turned to the smell of meat cooking. Then the winds shifted and the smell of fermenting fruits could be detected. She didn’t know where she wanted to start first, it all smelled so good.
Vareen’s plan to speak with Mica was thwarted by numerous distractions. Dani found them at the food court. Along with Vathral and Nevir. Vareen didn’t know that Vathral had chosen a partner in Drake’s little sister and was staying on Titus. She’d assumed he was just visiting Cali and living on Atheon like the other refugees from Cestori. Nellia was also in their group, having just arrived to experience the challenge.
Nellia regaled the group with details of the refugees settling in on Atheon. The trips between Atheon and Cestori. Cali’s father, Eliav Edal had wanted to be here but he’d had an emergency on Atheon. Since he was the liaison between the refugees and the government, his free time was limited.
Before Vareen knew it they had commandeered a section of the food court for their growing party. Arik, Tae, and Dak had shown up. The noise level grew, the food and wine flowed freely. Vareen enjoyed the feeling of camaraderie. The males were telling stories trying to embarrass each other. Her, Cali, Dani, and Nellia were sitting at a table in the middle of the grouping half-listening to the men and talking amongst themselves at the same time. Vathral and Nevir had wandered away some time ago.
“Is this party open for everyone to join?” a female voice that Vareen didn’t recognize called out.
The males chatter and laughter died down. Cali froze, her eyes widened and her lips pursed. Vareen wondered at her friends’ reaction but couldn’t see the woman through the wall of males in her way. All she could make out were women’s legs and the color of their dresses. One purple, one black, and one red.
“Angeline, Fresca, Roselyn. How are you ladies this fine evening?” Arik asked.
“We’re well, thank you, Arik. Is your chosen mate here Drake?” The females voice had a hint of malice to it.
Cali sat taller and opened her mouth to say something when Mica jumped in.
“Angeline. I’m happy to see that you got off on probation for your offense against Cali,” Mica paused. “It would be a shame to see you get in any further trouble.”
“Why Mica, I didn’t know you cared.” Vareen could see through the legs of the males as a female form move closer to him. Indecently close if you asked Vareen. “With you being a single male, I would be interested in spending time with you at this challenge.”
Well, that put things in perspective. The women of Titus didn’t lack boldness. There was a growing tension in the males and Vareen didn’t understand what was going on.
“I’m sorry but I—” Mica’s voice was rough.
“Don’t tell me what I’ve heard is true.”
“Angeline. Might you walk with me for a moment.” Arik jumped in again and then the males were shifting.
“Fresca. May I?” Tae moved to the female in the black dress.
“Roselyn. I would be honored.” Dak took the woman in red.
Before Vareen could see what the women looked like, or gather her thoughts Mica and Dani were leading her away from the party. Drake and Cali were leading Nellia toward the Renari.
“We’ll see you at the challenge tomorrow,” Mica called over his shoulder as everyone left the food court.
They were walking so quickly she couldn’t make out anyone. What was going on? Everyone was acting so bizarrely. One minute they were laughing and having a good time. The next thing she was being helped into her and Mica’s tent.
“Good-night Dani,” she called before the flap was shut. Turning to Mica she asked, “What was that all about?”
“Angeline is a known troublemaker. I didn’t want you to have to deal with her antics.” Mica was pacing the short area just in front of their tent opening. “It’s very late, why don’t you try to get some rest. I’ll be right back. I need to speak with my father before morning.”
Varee
n opened her mouth to argue that she wasn’t tired and needed to speak with him but Mica was already outside.
With a harrumph of frustration, she stormed into the solar shower. Since it could clean clothing as well as her body she didn’t get undressed. Just stood there for a second her thoughts in chaos and let the shower clean her.
Once it was finished she stormed into the bedroom. The dress worked well as a nightgown so Vareen climbed into bed and tried to get her mind to stop flitting around. She hadn’t gotten a chance to speak with Mica and it was driving her crazy.
Vareen propped herself on the pillow and determined she would stay awake until he returned.
Of course, that was the cue to her mind to trigger exhaustion and Vareen fell asleep moments later.
Chapter Twenty
“The opening ceremony starts with the challengers stating their claims. Even though all of the challengers had to present themselves before today, this is for show.” Dani whispered to Vareen. “The judges are those three standing in the middle of the arena.”
Vareen followed where Dani was pointing and saw three men with white shirts on. “They are wearing white since whichever clan they are affiliated with is not going to matter now. As a judge, they are honor bound to award points only on the merits of how the participant fared in the trial,” Dani whispered.
The arena was U-shaped and consisted of five areas of seating around the main floor space. Eight rows went from the ground level up and held about thirty spectators. Each clan’s seating area was broken by an aisle used to gain access to the higher seats. Vareen was in the all-black section of Jataci. Next to them was the Metari, then the Denary, then the Takari and finally across the way, she could just make out Cali, Vathral, Nevir and Nellia in the Renari section.
At the sound of a gong, the current leaders and their heirs were marched into the stadium to stand before the judges. Directly behind them, under a different banner came a group of males wearing all the colors of the clans. Red, gold, blue, and purple. Only black shirts were missing. The Jataci didn’t have a challenger for leadership. With a loud gong, the challengers strode to face their clan leader.
Suddenly there was an increase in the whispers from Jataci. Like a thousand angry bees, the sound thrummed around her.
Temloc was striding from the sidelines toward the location where Martac and Mica stood in the arena.
Mica she sighed. How could he look so good to her when he was wearing the same shirt, pants, and boots as the rest of the men of Titus. To her, he just stood taller, seemed more handsome and virile than any of the others.
Realizing that something important was happening and she was drooling over Mica, Vareen forced herself to pay attention.
“He can’t be challenging,” Dani hissed furiously. “The allotted time has passed.”
“It would appear that he is,” Vareen countered her eyes glued to the scene below her.
The words being spoken didn’t reach them, but Temloc’s intent was clear…until with a small bow, Martac stepped to the side and back. This left Temloc and Mica facing off against each other. The judges joined in the argument and soon it looked as of things were getting heated.
Vareen was confused. This was a challenge for leadership and Mica wasn’t the leader of Jataci. “What does that mean?”
“I don’t believe it,” Dani was clearly stunned. “He wouldn’t…”
“What?” Vareen shook Dani to get her attention. “What is going on?”
All around them, the whispers were turning to shouts.
“It looks as if Temloc has issued a Premus Herus. It’s the only explanation.” Dani’s eyes were burning furiously.
“What is that?” Vareen was getting frustrated with Dani’s half answers.
“I’m sorry Vareen. The Premus Herus hasn’t been challenged in generations.” Turning to face her Dani blurted, “Temloc isn’t challenging my father for leadership. He’s challenging Mica for the status as his first heir. If Temloc wins the challenge, Mica will no longer be my father’s son.”
“What do you mean. Mica wouldn’t be Martac’s son? That status can’t be changed by a challenge,” Vareen scoffed. She couldn’t believe this was happening.
The other leaders and challengers were now watching the events between Mica and Temloc unfold. There seemed to be some formal ceremony to this type of challenge. Finally, Mica bowed to both the judges and then Temloc.
“It can,” Dani was wringing her hands. “If Mica doesn’t defeat Temloc, he will be exiled from Jataci. He will be forced to seek refuge with the Others.”
“No.” Vareen stiffened at the idea of Mica losing his place among the Jataci. He would suffer unbearably if separated from his family and clan. A flash of a memory hit her. Mica speaking animatedly about his duties as heir to his father. The training he’d undergone. His responsibility to his clan and the future he hoped to bring them as their leader.
“They are determining the details of the challenge, then Mica will be isolated for the duration of the events.”
“What?” Vareen snapped with her fear and frustration building. “Isolated where?”
“There are tents set up for the leaders and challengers in the center of the gathering. If I remember correctly when Primus Herus is declared, the challenger, leader, and heir are all isolated. It’s considered cheating to speak to anyone from this point on. When the challenge participants leave the arena we won’t be able to get close to them until the closing ceremonies.” Dani paused to take a deep breath.
“I can’t believe that,” Vareen was panicking inside. The plan had been to talk with Mica. To get him to admit they were more than friends. Now she was being told that he would be isolated for the next week? That was unacceptable.
“I’m sorry Vareen.” Dani was looking at her with dejection.
Wondering at Dani’s misery it seemed a bit much. Dani knew as well as she did that Mica was a formidable warrior. Temloc may think he was ready to face him in this challenge but Mica was better, faster, stronger…then it hit her.
“You don’t think Mica can win?” Vareen was fuming. “Why? He’s smarter, stronger…”
“Under normal circumstances, Temloc wouldn’t stand a chance.” Dani paused uncomfortably. “However, his worry—”
“His worry over what?” when Dani just remained silent Vareen said, “His worry over me will cause him to be distracted?” Vareen finished. Was Dani right? Would Mica be so consumed with what she was doing and how she was faring that he’d make mistakes? If that was true, then he really did care for her and her fantasies were really memories? Vareen felt a bit of hope that it might be true.
“Could I get him a message?” Vareen brightened at the idea. It wouldn’t be hearing that she was okay from her lips, but at least he’d know she…what?
It hit her between the eyes, in the flash of a second. All of her lost memories restored. Mica on The Reliant holding her, talking with her. Mica asking her to be his chosen mate, her telling him that she needed time. What an idiot she was. The Realignment Center and wishing for more time with Mica.
Dammit, she loved the big lug. She’d been attracted to him from the first moment, but she loved him when he let her fulfill her duty to The Reliant. She loved him when he tried to help her mind heal by denying their history. She loved him because he was her chosen mate and perfect for her in every way.
“They’re leaving.” Dani stood up suddenly. “I’m sorry Vareen. We can’t try to get a message to him. It would be confiscated and consider cheating if we tried.”
Vareen stood with Dani and they worked their way through the crowds as quickly as possible. They weren’t in time to see Mica and Martac disappear.
Deciding it was time to put some of her Academy training to good use Vareen turned to Dani. “Return to the Jataci and find out anything you can. I’m going to see what, if anything, Drake might know.”
“I’ll do what I can. Stay with Cali in the Renari tents. Don’t wander the paths and hurry
Vareen.”
Vareen thought the warning odd, but ran as fast as she could for Cali’s tent. The lantern lined paths seemed to fly by, she ran so fast. She wasn’t really interested in seeing Drake. Instead, she was working out a plan in her mind and she’d need some help from her friends.
Chapter Twenty-One
“It’s very dangerous.” Nellia was wearing the purple dress of Renari since she was a guest of Cali’s. Despite the current topic, her face was relaxed and Vareen hadn’t seen her this confident in a long time. The betrayal of Diandra and being imprisoned on Cestori had taken a toll on both of them. Spending the last weeks helping those on Cestori and traveling to Atheon as a medical emissary had brought out the best in Nellia.
“There isn’t a way to get into his tent,” Cali argued and then looked over her shoulder to make sure Drake hadn’t returned.
Currently, Cali and Nellia were on the couch and she was across from them in a chair.
“There is,” Vareen insisted. “You know I’ve always enjoyed horticulture. During my stay at the hospital and at Mica’s I took the time to read about different plants and their properties here on Titus. I won’t have to go far to get the items we need.”
“You will have to get the dose exactly right or you might kill someone,” Nellia frowned at her.
“That is where you come in Doctor Adet,” Vareen smiled confidently. “I followed both of you into more trouble at the Academy then I can count. All I’m asking is that you help me reach Mica.”
Cali eyed her, “Why do you need to see him so badly?”
Vareen didn’t bother to hide her feelings, “Because he asked me a very important question and needs to know my answer. I’ve been waiting so long to give it.”
“You remember something from your time together?” Both Cali and Nellia gasped in excitement.
“How much?” Nellia pressed closer.
“It’s all come back to me and I realize that Mica needs me,” Vareen answered solemnly.
Vareen & Mica (The Alliance Book 2) Page 11