Miranda's Destiny - the unexpurgated edition

by Candace Smith

  “No, that was meant for comfort, Tempest. He thought you would be afraid when you woke up in strange surroundings. Obviously, very little scares you, and for a primitive you are adjusting well.” Terena smiled at the opportunity to compliment her.

  “Primitive? Who the hell are you calling a primitive? You don’t even have a television in this room.”

  Terena experienced some of the distress her son had been feeling, realizing she had insulted her prospective daughter unintentionally. She was afraid to say anything else, and she looked at her son with an apologetic expression for upsetting his mate further. Taliquant was still grinning at Tempest.

  Miranda stepped in. “Tempest, I think to them, we are primitives. Goddess knows, on Earth we were still trying to figure out if there even were other civilizations in the galaxy. I expect they either discovered long ago what a waste of time the trash on Television was, or they have something far more advanced.”

  “Miranda, we’re in a stone room with no electrical outlets, radios or anything. How advanced can they be?” Tempest reasoned.

  “Then how do you explain the light?” Miranda responded.

  Tempest searched for lamps, and her expression softened to wonder as she realized the light was coming from the stone walls and ceiling themselves. She looked at Terena. “Can you turn them off?”

  Terena smiled. “Those in the room merely wish them dimmed, and it happens. Not all worlds have the Shallistones. They are a major export for us, and our family owns one of the largest mines,” she said proudly. It was important her son’s mate knew his family had a strong heritage, even if they were only merchants.

  “Okay,” Tempest admitted. “That’s pretty cool.” She looked over at the warrior. “Stop staring at me,” she demanded.

  Taliquant continued to grin. “That is the one thing I cannot do, Tempest. My eyes are drawn to your beauty, and I have no control over them.”

  Tempest knew she looked all right, in a weird sort of way, but no one had ever mistaken her for a beauty. “Bullshit. Stop staring at me like I’m weird or something.”

  “Your green eyes are the color of veruch, a very rare Shallistone. Your skin is the color of palliston, even rarer. Never has such beauty walked our planet,” he said reverently.

  Tempest studied his face to determine if he was making fun of her. She had to admit, he did look sincere and totally entranced by her, and now she began to feel uncomfortable because she started to think the big lug actually liked her. “Well, you shouldn’t stare anyway. It’s impolite.”

  “And you’ve been displaying such good manners yourself,” Miranda chided.

  Tempest turned to her. “Well what do you expect? I am talking to the dude in the cloak in my flower shop, and the next thing I know I wake up in this crypt with a Neanderthal feeling me up?”

  Terena’s mouth dropped open. “Tempest, you have the magic of the plants?” she asked in awe.

  Tempest straightened. “I will have you know, I have a degree in botany.” All right, maybe it was only a two-year degree from the community college, but she had always had a green thumb.

  Terena was delighted. “You have studied the magic of the growing things. We were not told. I cannot wait to tell my friends.”

  Tempest was surprised by the woman’s obvious respect for her chosen field. Cripes...it was just a little flower shop. “Miranda and I liked to grow our own herbs and vegetables. That way, we know there’s not any poisonous junk sprayed on them. They always tasted better, too, don’t you think, Miranda?”

  Miranda agreed. “Tempest can grow anything. I’m not quite as handy. I did manage to keep from killing the plants,” Miranda laughed. “But Tempest really cared for our garden. She supplied the herbs for my soaps and candles.”

  Terena was almost bursting with pride. “You supply the Celestial’s ritual herbs?”

  Zalana’s mouth dropped open. Terena realized her mistake immediately and shrank back, miserably staring at the folded hands in her lap, and she whispered, “By the stars, Zalana, I am sorry.”

  Miranda searched Zalana’s eyes as Tempest asked, “What the heck is a Celestial?”

  “I think Zalana has a little more to explain to me,” Miranda said quietly.

  “I did mention there were many reasons you were brought here,” Zalana weakly offered.

  “I do not shock easily, Zalana, and even when I do, I sort it out and recover quickly, just as I did when I realized I had been kidnapped by what we refer to as aliens, brought to another planet which is obviously not even in our solar system, and met a little green lizard that could speak. What do you possibly think you could say to me that would come as more of a surprise?”

  Zalana felt now, as though she had insulted the Ancient and deceived her. To save face, she decided to admit the truth. “Miranda, you are a Celestial Ancient. You are the last of the Atlantians and most of the inner worlds will be hoping you can bring back the Old Religion. You are also Zulien’s destined mate.” There... she had gotten it all out. It was now up to the Ancient to either forgive her, or to chastise her. She had released Miranda’s hand and was clasping hers so tightly together that her knuckles were a pale yellow. She squeezed her eyes shut.

  Miranda realized the poor woman’s distress, even as her words banged through her mind. Ancient, Atlantian, Old Religion, mate. Mate? Her head swiveled around to the big man on the table. He was sitting in stunned silence at his mother’s admission. “I think you had better come take care of your mother. I need to sit down for a moment.”

  Zulien rose to walk over to his mother as Miranda started drifting towards the joining pallet to sit down. Her knees buckled half way there, and Zulien caught her before she hit the ground. Terena and Zalana gasped and rushed over to her as Zulien laid her down. “By the stars, is she all right? Zulien, I am so sorry. I have made such a mess of this, and I was supposed to be helping,” Zalana cried.

  Tempest had walked up behind them. She had seen Miranda faint before over a weird vision, like in high school when the lab blew up. She figured her friend’s brain just kind of overloaded and needed to cool down. “She’ll be fine. She just needs to get this figured out.”

  Zalana looked up at Tempest with tears in her eyes. “Are you sure? Is there anything we can do to help her?”

  Tempest realized the woman really was upset. “Hey, it’s okay. I’ve seen her do this lotsa’ times. It’s like when she was standing earlier with her eyes closed. She tells me it puts her back in balance. She taught me to meditate, also. I tend to get somewhat irrational about things. I don’t actually collapse like she does, though. Just back off a little so she can get some air. She’ll be back with us in a few minutes,” Tempest assured them.

  Zulien was holding Miranda’s hand, with his face close to hers and speaking softly.

  “Hey, big guy, give her a little room.”

  Zulien moved back mere inches, and never looked back at Tempest. “He’s really stuck on her, isn’t he?”

  “They are destined mates. It is why she was so nervous when he was not in the room earlier, and even if she does not acknowledge it yet, the mating genes do.” Zalana was holding her hand over her son and Miranda's.

  Tempest thought about what the woman had said, and it began to dawn on her about the agitation she felt when the ‘Tali’ guy was gone. She slowly turned to look at him. He was still sitting on the sleeping pallet and grinning at her. “Oh, no.” His grin broadened. “You can get that thought right out of your head, big guy.”

  “It is not anything we have control over, Tempest. You are my mate. Our gene is matched.” His big hand rubbed over his heart. “You are my other half, and I devote myself to you.”

  “Cripes!” Tempest exclaimed, and she sagged to the floor. Zalana ran for Ethram, and all the men came rushing back into the room.

  Taliquant had laid Tempest on the sleeping pallet, and the warriors were fussing over their fainted mates. “Well, this is certainly going well,” Zibula chuckled.


  Ballion was dashing between the women, making sure they were all right. “How much did you tell them?”

  “Everything,” Zalana admitted.

  “I said to explain things to them slowly. No wonder they retreated.” Ballion shook his scaly head in admonishment while his antenna wandered around in distress.

  “It just sort of came out.” Zalana began to cry.

  Terena spoke up, “It was my fault. I slipped up. Really, Zalana, they did not seem that upset.”

  “Not that upset?” Ballion shrieked. “They have retreated into deep sleep.”

  Terena continued, “I think Tempest is right. Miranda gets overwhelmed, probably because she is so sensitive. Tempest was fine with everything until Taliquant expressed his devotion, and it is the first time she has not glared at him. I think all this is a good sign.”

  Everyone in the room stared at her. Ethram gritted his teeth. “I have two mates passed out in one joining chamber. How, by the stars, do you think that is a good sign?”

  Zalana realized what Terena was saying. “Ethram, neither one of the young women has become hysterical, and they have been told everything. I think things are going to go much better,” she glanced at the pale women, “once they revive.”

  Miranda opened her eyes first, and found herself looking into the worried brown eyes of Zulien. He smiled and asked quietly, “Would you like some more juice?”

  She smiled back at him. “Yes, please. Can I have some of that nin...?”

  “Nintine juice,” he supplied. “Mother, can you get Miranda a glass of juice, please.”

  Zalana rushed back with the juice. “I am so sorry, Miranda. It was unforgivable for me to throw all that at you at once. I did not want you to think I was being deceptive.”

  “You were kind of caught between a rock and a hard place, Zalana. It just overwhelmed me a bit.” She sat up. “I am afraid you’re mistaken about a few things. There is not any way I am leading anyone in an Old Religion. I could not even manage to find a group to be with on my planet. As far as the other stuff, I guess we will have to talk some more about it. I don’t understand most of what you said.”

  “You do know me though, right? You told me you saw me in your visions.” Zulien needed the reassurance.

  “Yes, once on Earth several years ago, and several times while I was in some kind of blackness. I couldn’t find my way out, and you came to me. You said you would protect me and never leave.” Zulien was pacified and awed that she remembered his words of offering.

  She looked bewildered. “I just don’t know what it means.” Miranda thought about the wild dark hair on the man in the vision she had during the one and only time she had sex, when she was with Johnny. Was that a sign? She got up and walked over to where Tempest lay gripping Taliquant’s hand. She knew she was all right and began to laugh. “I never saw her pass out over anything before. What happened?”

  Terena said, “I think it dawned on her that Taliquant, the big guy, is her mate.”

  “That would do it. She must have freaked. Tempest is kind of a ‘take charge’ type of person,” Miranda swept her fingers through Tempest's bangs.

  “No kidding?” Taliquant grinned. “I was beginning to take it personally.”

  “Oh, I am sure it’s personal.”

  Tempest began to shudder awake. She immediately released Taliquant’s hand and shoved him away. “Stop pawing at me,” she ordered. She looked at Miranda as she sat up. “I told them you were all right,” she muttered. Her eyes roamed the room anxiously, until she found Taliquant standing near a large lizard. She pointed, “What the hell is that? Your icky pet?”

  “Tempest,” Miranda admonished. “That is…” she looked at Zulien.

  He whispered in her ear, “Ballion.”

  “Ballion,” she said. “He is incredibly sensitive and kind, so please be nice.”

  Ballion had begun shaking, and his antennae went haywire. To have the primitive afraid of him and the Ancient honor him, in such a short span of time was unnerving. “Thank you, Miranda,” he said quietly.

  Tempest screamed. “Did that thing just talk?”

  Miranda rushed over to Ballion and knelt. She took his scaly claw. “I am so sorry. She sometimes handles strange situations without the best control.”

  “It is all right, Ancient, she is primitive. We expected this to be a little more difficult for her.” Ballion was puffed out with the attention and concern from the Ancient. He could not wait to tell his mother. What pride she would have that her son, a mere Minoc, had received concern from the Ancient.

  Tempest watched the unusual beast and could see he was obviously enthralled with Miranda. “I guess he is kinda’ cute. He sorta’ grows on you.”

  “He is not a pet, Tempest. He is an apprentice of something.”

  “Procurement,” Ballion said proudly. “Only two other Minocs have ever been so honored.”

  “Then that is quite an accomplishment. I am sure your teacher is proud of you.” Miranda stood up.

  “That I am, Miranda. Ballion also has studied Ancient civilization, and has been quite helpful to us in trying to figure out the best way to introduce you to the inner worlds.” Ethram walked over to her.

  She eyed him suspiciously. “You’re not going to put me to sleep again, are you?”

  Ethram laughed. “No, I think you have slept long enough. Actually, I just wanted to shake your hand and welcome you to our worlds.”

  Miranda took his hand. “Thank you. How do you work your magic?”

  “We will discuss it at a later time. There is plenty you should become accustomed to first, and as it looks like things are as under control as they are likely to be. I would like to gather my ‘icky pet’ and begin our long overdue vacation.”

  Tempest shrugged in slight embarrassment. “Sorry, Ballion. I keep forgetting we’re not in Kansas anymore.”

  Terena was intrigued. “Is that the name of your world? Kansas?”

  “Apparently, there’s a lot we’ll be getting you guys accustomed to, also,” Tempest smirked. “Hey, big guy. How about a glass of that juice?”

  Taliquant ran to fulfill her request. He proudly handed her the glass, thrilled he had finally been able to comfort her.

  Tempest took the glass. “Ya’, ya’. This does not mean you can start pawing me again. Got it?”

  “I’ve got it, Tempest.” He lifted a big hand and studied it. Perhaps they called them paws on ‘Kansas’.

  Cripes, he looks like a big lap dog. Tempest began to feel a little guilty about the way she was treating the big guy. It was obvious, for whatever reason, the guy adored her. “Hey, Tali, can you take me outside for some fresh air? It’s getting kinda’ crowded in here.”

  Taliquant looked at his mother. “She is your mate, son. The guards are out there to watch over you if you get… distracted.”

  Taliquant was so confused. Never had a joining been described to him this way. To leave the chambers before it was completed was never done before. Then, he remembered hearing her speak his name for the first time. He walked over and nervously took her arm, and Tempest rolled her eyes, resigned. He was not going to stop touching her. Taliquant proudly announced, as if everyone in the room had not already heard it, “My mate wishes for me to escort her outside. I shall describe the Shalliton Mountains, the soft grass, the…”

  Tempest interrupted. “You will be describing the damn sunrise if we don’t get on with it.”

  Everyone burst out laughing, and Terena whispered to her husband, “She is a wild one. I think she will be good for him. I cannot wait to tell you of her special gifts and knowledge.”

  “Miranda, would you like to go outside, as well?” Zulien asked.

  “If you don’t mind, I think I would like to talk with your mother again. I’m still a little rattled.”

  “Perhaps we should go back to our own joining room. I would not want to interfere with Taliquant and Tempest when they return from their walk,” he said.

  Miranda l
ooked around. She had not really noticed she was not in the same room she woke up in before. “Yes, of course. Zalana, would you mind coming with us?”

  Zalana was relieved she had not disgraced herself with the Ancient. “I would be pleased to come with you and answer any questions that you may have.”

  The remaining group wandered back to Ethram's quarters. Terena looked out into the clearing and saw Taliquant pointing at the mountains with Tempest by his side, her wild hair outlined by the light of the second moon.

  CHAPTER VII

  Miranda sat facing Zalana with her back to Zulien on the chaise in the other building. Once in a while, she would feel the light brush of his fingers trailing through her hair, and she realized it calmed her.