“Did Tae have a chance to talk with Nellia? He could ask her if she was there of her own free will.”
“She isn’t being allowed to speak with anyone besides Jarin. I’m sure it’s for her own protection. She can’t be challenged if the females of Janari can’t speak to her.”
“Can’t we just use the transporter system from one of the spacecraft and beam her away?”
“That would be highly dishonorable and start a war we don’t want to fight,” Mica smiled slightly at her through the monitor. “Not that the idea wasn’t argued around the council chamber. It was decided to give diplomacy a chance to work.”
“I see.” Vareen knew that if it came to a fight Nellia would be the one in the most danger. “Diplomatic means would be Nellia’s best chance at getting away from the Janari. If she even wants to get away. You didn’t see the way Nellia looked at Jarin. There is a chance she could be enticed to stay with him.”
“The Janari are a bit rough around the edges. It will take a lot of persuading to be allowed to speak with Nellia but Tae will do whatever it takes to get the situation resolved.”
“I know he will. Are you still planning on being home tonight?” Vareen reached down and absently stroked Smoky’s fur when he brushed himself against her legs.
“Yes. We are almost finished here and I’ll be returning home. Drake has asked to visit since Cali will be at our home. I was thinking to invite everyone for dinner if you don’t mind.”
“No. Please do.” Vareen’s mind wandered to what to prepare for their guests.
“I’ll have all the food delivered from Denary. If you feel like cooking, add whatever you want to the table.” Mica looked over his shoulder and laughed. “Okay, I’m coming.” Turning back to her he sighed, “I have to go. I’ll see you soon.”
“I love you, Mica. See you after your meeting.”
“I love you as well.”
The screen went blank and Vareen went about her morning. She would make a nice salad to go with dinner.
Hours later when a large transport pulled up in the driveway Vareen stood stunned as table after table and dish after dish were taken into the backyard. Why hadn’t she thought to ask what Mica meant when he said he wanted to invite “everyone” to dinner?
*****
Vareen yawned hugely and tucked herself closer to Mica’s warmth. Her lids felt leaden and she felt herself drifting sleepily.
“I should have told you the number of people I was inviting. I wasn’t thinking. Are you sure you’re not angry?” Mica’s whispered question brought her half-awake.
“Honestly Mica, I told you it was okay and I meant it. I’m not angry. I could just as easily asked you how many to expect. I wasn’t thinking either.” Vareen answered, her voice soft. “It was nice to see the other heirs and the Council members in a relaxed setting. I’m shocked at how approachable the leaders of your world are.”
Mica just held tighter against him and Vareen floated toward sleep again.
“Did I say how much I love you?” Mica’s words pulled her awake again.
“Only this morning, when we talked on the communicator, when you got home, during dinner, after dinner, before you made love to me, after you made love to me—”
Mica’s laughter made her head bounce on his chest. “Okay. I didn’t want to fall asleep without telling you how much you mean to me.”
Vareen stifled another yawn. “You don’t have to say the words all the time Mica. It’s how you show me that you love me that matters the most to me. You listen to my opinions and give me encouragement to live my life here on Titus the way I want to live it. Your actions every day prove how much you value me. I just hope that you know I feel the same toward you.”
“I have no doubts about our connection. I never did. The first moment I saw you on The Reliant I knew.” Mica’s voice was losing volume and she knew he was drifting to sleep as well.
As strange as it was for her to grasp logically, Mica was right. They had forged a connection on The Reliant that defied reason. In the years to come, they would make a home together. She would return to explore space on The Destiny, that was the name she’d given the ship the council had gifted her with. She would bring the happy chaos of a life well lived to this little corner of Titus. She would fill Mica’s days with laughter and love. Together they would have children and grand-children. Mica would sit on the council in his father's place when the time was right, and thankfully she wouldn’t have to face another challenge.
Vareen let out a sleepy chuckle and felt the grip of sleep pulling her down. The universe sure did have a way of testing a person. She was just glad that she and Mica had found their way to each other in the end.
Other Titles available:
Terraneu Series
Kniam: A Terraneu Novel (Book One)
Knollig: A Terraneu Novel (Book Two)
Knaleg: A Terraneu Novel (Book Three)
Kneus: A Terraneu Novel (Book Four)
Marcael: A Terraneu Novel (Book Five)
Knadyn: A Terraneu Novel (Book Six)
Knacayn: A Terraneu Novel (Book Seven)
Aquadomina Series
Raife: An Aquadomina Novel (Book One)
The Reborn Series
Alea Reborn (Previously self-published as Maliuth)
Emily Reborn (Previously self-published as Galan)
The Alliance Series
Cali & Drake
About the Author
Hello. If this is the first book of mine you’ve read…Welcome. If you have been here before on the “About the Author” page of one of my books you’ve heard my story. Here it is again, just in case. I have two daughters, one is 23 and the other is 21. They are both in college working toward various degrees. I am married to my wonderful husband and we are going on our 24th year together. Rounding out our household is four dogs, one beta fish, and one bird. The four Shih Tzu’s are still terrorizing the house and I continue my struggle to write around the canine fur ball(s) in my lap. That pretty much summarizes my life here in the Wild West!
As always, my thanks go out to everyone whose support and kindness give me the push to make everyday matter and to write, edit and publish my stories. I know there is a growing list of reading choices out there and when you read one of my stories I take that as a great compliment. If you have time, please review my books on Amazon or Goodreads.
I wish everyone the best in 2016 and can’t believe how fast this year is going by! At the time of publication for Vareen & Mica, the year will be half gone.
I am excited to say that Maliuth and Galan are at Ellora’s Cave for publishing. They are under the titles Alea Reborn and Emily Reborn. There has been some confusion about these two being new books and I’ve tried to be open that they are not new books. They are just edited with added content versions being published by a new company. I have warnings on my website, the book synopsis, my author page and in the forums to try to avoid any issues. I’m truly sorry if you purchased them twice.
If you haven’t read Maliuth or Galan, I recommend the new and improved Alea Reborn and Emily Reborn. *Warning! Where I tried to keep Cali & Drake and Vareen & Mica as a more romantic, clean read…Ellora’s Cave books (and my other books) are more on the racy side.
There is a link on my website at http://www.stormymcknight.com/ if you want to sign up to be on the mailing list for release updates and events. Also, new covers, story ideas, book trailers and the latest news are posted on my website first.
Stormy
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Vareen & Mica (The Alliance Book 2) Page 17