“If the hierarchy ever discovered all that we have learned, they would destroy us. My father has already spread the news of the Celestial’s procurement, and you will be able to count on them for assistance with the Ancient’s remembrance. When they hear she is Atlantian, there will be a huge celebration. I would like to discuss this with you further after we initiate the joining. We are most interested in your ability of visions.”
Zalana was ecstatic. Their combined research would be a huge help, and she had already planned to call the few women she knew who possessed the power of visions.
The warriors spread out through the valley, prepared to defend the Ancient if the need arose. It was finally time to wake the mates.
Ethram turned to Zulien and Taliquant. “This is going to be confusing for them. Women born in the inner world, dream of the day their old life will disappear and they will wake with their mates beside them. These women have no knowledge of our existence, much less our ways. I have been issuing calming thoughts and insinuating a little of the inner worlds in their dreams along with enhancing them with your genetic profiles. They may wake completely satisfied with the changes.
“My guess, however, is they will wake disoriented and panicked, stripped of their world and all that they know after the prolonged emptiness. They do not know to expect their mates when they are re-awoken, so you must be patient with them. Try to calm them while you explain. They will feel the physical bond, but they may think it is a trick. Eventually, the bond will overcome their fear, but it could take time.”
“This could be harder than the separation, warriors, to have them within arm’s reach and still have to hold back. Remember, the joining is a time of introduction and acclimation. The mothers and fathers may enter the chambers, but must leave when the mates begin to wake. This will be unsettling enough without a crowd around them, and their focus must be on learning to trust their mates,” Ethram finished.
The parents nodded in agreement. Taliquant voiced Zulien’s thoughts. “What if she wakes so fearful she will not let me comfort her?”
“Be persistent and calm, and eventually, the physical draw and the instinct of your protection should wear through their distress. They will learn to rely on your wisdom. We will visit Tempest first. Ballion will remain outside the door if your mate requires anything, or you need him. Remember, Taliquant, she is primitive and she may present an even greater challenge than the Ancient. For some reason, the two women have bonded, and we need to discover her importance to the Atlantian.”
Ballion stood in the archway to the door of the temple with his antennae waving madly, and he looked exhausted from the strain. Ethram had left him in charge of preparing the mates. He was afraid he would leave bruises when he bathed the fragile creatures and it had taken him hours to choose the caftans he draped over them. He finally remembered Ethram’s advice and matched the color he was told their eyes were, which happened to match the warriors’ offering sashes.
He spent another hour brushing Miranda’s hair, and was at a loss over Tempest’s. He was unsure whether the flat side or the spiked side was correct, and in frustration, he ran his claws through the short mass and it separated into clumpy spikes. He decided it was a sign and left it. By the stars, I hope that was the right decision. He smoothed his scales one last time as the group approached.
Taliquant smiled down at the distraught Minoc. “Thank you for preparing my mate, Ballion. I can see you have been judicious in your planning, and I am sure you will be welcoming your break.”
“Thank you, Major.” Then, Ballion confided, “These have been most unusual procurements, and this has been my first independent preparation.” He hoped that would earn forgiveness if he had miscalculated the hair.
The group entered the chamber where Tempest lay sleeping in an emerald caftan with gold embroidery, and Taliquant moved towards her without realizing his motion.
Zelana whispered to Taliquant’s mother, “She is lovely, Terena. She has the look of nature’s wild beauty.”
Terena’s eyes were filled with tears over the joy she felt for her son. She was to have a daughter. “She truly is nature’s child, Zalana, is she not?”
Even the fathers cleared their throats of emotion as they thought of their own joining. Taliquant was staring at his mate silently. He was suddenly terrified she would reject him.
Ethram sensed his distress and sent a slight aura of calmness. “Be persistent, Taliquant, and nature will bind you. Ease her stress.” Ethram brushed his fingers over Tempest’s forehead and she inhaled a deep breath.
“It is time to leave the chamber to the mates. Ballion, you remember your instructions?”
“Yes, Commander. Major, I will be just outside if you need assistance calming her.” It had not occurred to anyone that the mere sight of Ballion would cause the primitive hysterics.
As the group quietly left the room, Terena turned around for one more glimpse of Tempest. Her eyes were still closed but she had stretched her little arms high over her head, and as she brought them back down, she clasped onto Taliquant. Terena smiled and closed the door.
Zalana began running her hands through her hair and smoothing her long shift. Zibula chuckled, “You look beautiful, mate. Her eyes will not even be open to see you.”
“You do not understand, Zibula. My daughter-in-law is an Ancient. By the stars, I never hoped to be so blessed. How do I honor her? There is no remembered ritual or protocol. Suppose she is displeased to find she is to be mated with a family with only a visionary?” Zalana was practically shaking.
Zibula pulled his golden beauty to him. “Zulien, you may be calm with your mate. Your mother is certainly nervous enough for all of us,” he chuckled. In truth, he was also wondering what role he was supposed to play with a Celestial. He had secretly gone through the banks of knowledge and found nothing.
“Wait until you see her, mother. Merely being in her radiant presence is calming,” Zulien smiled.
Ethram led them to the chamber, and Zalana gazed in stunned silence as she approached the vision on the pallet. She wore a pale blue caftan with moons and stars embroidered in silver. Tears filled Zalana’s eyes as she saw the matching sash she had embroidered for her son’s mate so many centuries before tied to her wrist and tucked up by her chin. Her golden hair surrounded her with the rays of the suns, and pale, delicate skin stretched across high cheekbones.
As Zulien approached her, one small hand reached out, searching. Zulien clasped it gently and brought it back to her side as he knelt, and Ethram whispered, “Your bond is strong, Zulien. Several times I have had to issue a wave of peace towards your little mate, yet she continues to search for you. Are you ready, warrior?”
“Yes, Ethram. I have been waiting centuries for this moment. I never dreamed it would arrive.”
Ethram pulled Zalana back from the pallet where she stood almost in a trance as she gazed at Miranda. “Zalana,” he said gently, “this is your son’s time. You will have a lifetime with her.”
Zalana leaned down and brushed her fingers through her warrior son’s long dark hair. “I love you, Zulien, and I do not need a vision to know all will be well.”
“Thank you, mother. I can feel the peace she emits also.”
Ethram brushed his fingers across Miranda’s forehead and she sighed and reached her other hand over to Zulien’s comforting grasp. Zulien smiled and began stroking her head as she slowly awoke.
Ethram escorted the parents out of the chambers. “I will, of course, be remaining here. I will have one of the guards inform the Magistrate of Battle when the joining has ended.”
Zalana and Terena were hugging each other and crying. Zibula glanced over at them, then looked back at Ethram and rolled his eyes.
Ethram laughed quietly. “Mothers.” The women turned to him. “I suggest you get busy. Planning ceremonies for a Celestial Ancient and her bonded friend will be quite a task.”
Zibula’s mind flashed on the uproar the house would be in while hi
s mate panicked over the preparations and said, “Thanks a lot. I will be lucky to have another joining of my own until this is over.”
Zalana and Terena were already discussing the location for the joint ceremonies, and whether it was a breach of the Ancient’s protocol to even hold the ceremonies together.
Ethram chuckled, “I thought you wanted them to stop their tears.”
The parents returned to their shuttle and headed back home to begin the preparations for the ceremonies. In the inner worlds, the son’s mother always arranged the ceremonies. It was an honor given to welcome the new mate to her family, and Zalana and Terena were petrified of failing.
Zulien continued to stroke Miranda’s forehead until she gasped a little and her eyes began to open. They were a crystal blue and watery, and as she focused, she looked up at him with alarm. “Wake slowly, Miranda. You have been in deep sleep for a long time,” he said softly.
Zulien was encouraged. At least she had not screamed. He thought of how he must look to her. He was large, even for a warrior, with dark hair that fell well below his shoulders in a thick, wild mane. His ebony eyes were completely the opposite of the light blue pair gazing suspiciously at him, and he wondered if the people of her planet even had his coloring. The golden bronze skin was unique to the people of Shallistar, so he was sure she would find that as unusual as he found her luminescence. He hoped she would be as pleased.
She had not released his hands as she continued to calmly stare at him, and then she spoke in a soft voice, and said the last thing he expected to hear. “I know you.”
Zulien thought she meant the unique knowing of the mate’s gene bonding, until she said, “I’ve seen you in my visions.”
Zulien was confused as to what to do. He was prepared to comfort her, but she appeared to be completely calm. “When did you have these visions, Miranda?” He loved the feel of her name as it rolled off his lips.
She released his hand and struggled to sit up. A wave of dizziness washed over, her and Zulien quickly placed his strong arm behind her for support.
“Thank you. I guess I am a little weak. Was I in an accident?” She took in her unusual surroundings. The last thing she remembered was going to bed in her cabin.
“May I get you something? Perhaps a drink to strengthen you?” he offered.
“A little juice would be nice, if you have any. I am a little parched.” She had steadied enough for him to stand, and she continued to look around in confusion. She certainly was not in a hospital room, and the giant in tight black leather was no doctor.
Zulien looked around the room. There was nothing other than her sleeping pallet, a joining pallet and a chaise. Generally, when mates awoke, it was a constant sexual interlude and they did not consider libation. He was distressing over not being able to provide for her first request, and he reluctantly walked to the door. “Ethram?”
Ethram stiffened. No way was the joining completed. He calmed himself, prepared to match whatever crisis had occurred. “How may I assist you, Zulien?”
“My mate would like some juice. She says she is parched.”
“I will be right back, wait here.” Ethram cloaked to the third temple where he and Ballion had set up quarters. He quickly poured a glass of nintine juice and cloaked back. “I have returned.”
Zulien opened the door. Ethram inadvertently glanced into the room and saw Miranda. “You’re the man from the shop,” she exclaimed. “I remember your cloak.” She was a little confused as his words came back to her. “Is this who you meant?” She nodded towards Zulien, and Ethram looked bewildered. “When you spoke to me in the shop, you said, ‘He will be so pleased’. I was going to ask you who you were talking about.” The beautiful face frowned. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember anything else about our conversation."
Ethram was shocked she had remembered him at all. He had pushed a strong wave towards her so she would forget their meeting. The joining was taking an unusual path, and for the first time Ethram was at a loss.
Zulien broke the silence. “Ethram, you may as well come in. As you can see, my Ancient has questions and you may be able to answer better than I can. I am not forcing a joining until she is prepared.”
The big man’s words made no sense to Miranda at all, and she studied the room again. It seemed to be nothing more than a large bedroom. She swung her legs over the side of the sleeping pallet and used it to steady herself as she stood. She coughed a little, and Zulien grabbed the juice from Ethram and ran to her. “I am sorry, Miranda.”
She took a sip of the juice and smiled up at him over the rim of the glass. “This is delicious. What is it?”
Zulien had actually been a little nervous Ethram had not returned with at least pallachi juice. “It is called nintine juice. It is very common.” Zulien looked down with embarrassment at the poor offering.
He felt her stiffen, and he was terrified he had offended her. She walked slowly over to the window and looked out. Lavender skies with light blue clouds were adorned with two suns and a crescent moon. Unusual trees edged a valley with a thick blue carpet of grass, and she began to fall as she turned back to the men. Zulien rushed to catch her, and frightened blue eyes looked up at him. “Where am I?”
“You are on Shallistar,” Zulien replied weakly. He was totally unprepared for this. Actually, he did not know what was going to happen when she awoke, but he certainly had not expected this calm Celestial vision to be asking questions. Any answer he gave could panic her.
He guided her back to the chaise. “Am I dreaming?” She shook her head and laughed, and the sound reminded Zulien of his mother’s musical laughter. “That’s silly. Whenever you’re dreaming and you ask, it’s always denied.”
Ethram remained by the door, entranced by the Celestial’s behavior. Shrieking in fear, attacking Zulien with lust, or uncontrollable sobbing were what he had prepared for. Not this calm, questioning creature.
Suddenly, the silence was broken by a shriek, but not from Miranda. It was Tempest. “Where in hell am I, and who the hell are you?” she screamed.
“Tempest!” Miranda dashed past Zulien and Ethram before they registered she was moving, and they quickly followed after her.
Miranda ran towards the building she had heard Tempest’s scream coming from, ignoring the blue grass. She could not ignore the large lizard-type thing outside the door, and she stopped abruptly. Ballion and Miranda stared at each other with their mouths gaping open.
Ballion quickly bowed his head and stuttered, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Celestial. I am the apprentice procurer, Ballion.”
Zulien managed to catch her as she fainted. Ballion began pacing, his antenna waving furiously in terror at having upset the Ancient mate, while Tempest continued to shriek at Taliquant behind the door. Ethram lowered his head. What a disaster!
“Zulien, take your mate back to your joining room. I am going to calm Tempest and I will be right back.” He waved an aura of calmness to Ballion. “You did nothing wrong, Ballion. This entire joining is new territory.”
Ethram entered the room and quickly took in the scene. Tempest was standing in the corner on the chaise staring wild eyed at a very distraught warrior. “You.” Tempest pointed her finger and glared at Ethram. “What have you done with Miranda?”
Taliquant used Ethram’s distraction to edge closer to her, and she narrowed her eyes at him. “I told you to back off, big guy, or I will kick you again.”
“Miranda is fine, Tempest, and I will take you to her shortly. Taliquant, I think you should sit over there. Tempest and I have a few things to discuss.”
Taliquant reluctantly sat on the joining pallet. He was still trying to figure out how to comfort his mate. He watched his beautiful wild primitive climb off the chaise and sit down, green eyes flashing. “Start explaining, Mister.”
Ethram decide to try what had worked before, and held out his hand. “Ethram, my name is Ethram.”
Once again, Tempest reached out her hand in automatic respons
e, and once again, she fell instantly asleep. “This is a huge mess, Taliquant. Let me get back to Zulien and put Miranda back to rest, and then we need to get together and discuss this.”
CHAPTER VI
After the mates were once again sleeping, the men sat outside in the clearing. “Either being off planet has not registered yet, or they do not have a problem with that. We know they do not have a problem, at least from a bonding aspect, of recognizing you as their mates. The reason they are reluctant for the joining is the mystery.” Ethram was speaking his thoughts out loud.
“Tempest became extremely agitated when she did not recognize her surroundings. At first, she was fine, and just laY there with her eyes closed while I comforted her. As soon as she opened her eyes, she looked surprised and ran away from me.” Taliquant lowered his head in misery.
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