9781631055577NiKohsChosenMichaelsNC (5 page)

AnKie
joined in the merriment. “Were either of you hurt?”

“Only
my pride.” NiKoh clasped both BeSai’s hands in his. “I took her on a lovely
picnic beside that small pond over there.” He gazed at
his mate, hoping it would spur some wifely desire in her.

BeSai’s
face flushed blue.
Behave yourself. I remember what took
place, but we do not need to embarrass AnKie.

You are correct. I am really enjoying
myself.

I need time, NiKoh.
She ended the mind li
nk and pulled away, leading AnKie to another section of the
gardens.

NiKoh
gave himself a mental shake.
I should not have pushed her. Even
though she is the one who brought up the past…she had to know my thoughts would
go to that day. Maybe tonight will be
the night she
agrees to let me hold her in my arms again?
He strolled after the women, recalling
stories BeSai had told him as she had tended certain plants.

“She
even scolded RiKar once for picking the roses from the trellis outside his
office, remember?
” NiKoh laughed

“Those
were not to be picked,” BeSai defended her actions and faced NiKoh, her hands
on her slender hips. “The ones in the Conservatory were grown for that purpose.
He deserved a tongue lashing.” Her tone grew thoughtful. “Can we go inside
and see the condition of my Conservatory and lab?”

“Of
course.” NiKoh led the way back to the front of the Council and into the
building. He smiled at the receptionist and followed his mate to her beloved
Conservatory in the center of the building. NiKoh l
eaned
against a table and reflected on the many hours BeSai had spent in this very
room, transplanting flowers and shrubs to fit the design she had laid out. Over
the years, various Council members had sought refuge here, away from the
problems of their of
fices and pressure. It had been
BeSai’s dream to create this sanctuary, insisting every government building
needed the calming effect of the plants. Though not every office building had a
Conservatory, two more were in the planning stages, stagnant during
BeSai’s illness.

The new Director does not share her
dream.
AnKie’s
quiet voice popped into his brain.
She is being
stonewalled by other officials who do not think it is necessary. I am hoping
when BeSai sees her office, it will spur her to return to work.

NiKoh
felt his blood pressure rise.
How dare they stop my mate’s work? What
imbecile did they hire to take BeSai’s place?

Shhh…you will meet her in a bit. I just
wanted to prepare you, in case BeSai’s reaction is to the negative.

NiKoh
curbed his indignat
ion at a cry of distress. “BeSai?”
He left his post and followed BeSai’s voice to a far corner by what was once
her office.

BeSai
kneeled before a low structure. “WuKai is not being diligent. This area needs
water and more light.” She stood and dusted her
hands. “I created a hybrid rose, and intended to name it after our daughter.”
Her voice faltered. “It is dying, just like our daughter died.”

AnKie
reached for her, but BeSai moved into the office and returned with a heat lamp
and a container of water.
She tended to the plant,
sprinkling it with water, then plugged in the lamp and adjusted the brightness.
Touching the soil again, she nodded and stood up. She sprinkled more water on
other plants, then returned the container to the office. When she came ou
t, BeSai’s lips were set in a thin line.

“Where
is WuKai? I trained her better than this.” She turned to AnKie. “I am sorry to
be so angry about this.”

“You
have every right. This was your dream, and she is not living up to your
expectations.” AnKie led he
r out of the Conservatory.
“You can come back this afternoon and help her until you feel up to returning
full time.”

BeSai
nodded. “I am weary and getting hungry. Shall we teleport back?”

Startled,
NiKoh blinked. “You would prefer to teleport?”

“Yes.
It wi
ll get us home faster.” BeSai clasped his hand
and AnKie’s.

NiKoh
took hold of AnKie’s with his other hand and concentrated.
Whoosh!
They were back in the foyer of the
dwelling. BeSai started for the stairs.

“Will
you tell ViShe I would like a tray in my
chamber? I
need to change my clothes.”

“Would
you like me to join you?” NiKoh watched the two women ascend the stairs.

“No,
I have AnKie. I will see you later.” BeSai reached the top and turned to the
left to enter her chamber.

Defeated,
NiKoh entered the
dining area. ViShe appeared with
steaming bowls of food and a place setting. After thanking her, NiKoh ate
mechanically, not paying attention to the food, other than the fact it was hot
and satisfied his hunger. Afterward, he belched, wiped his mouth with
a napkin, and drained his goblet. He returned to his
private office and accessed his office work.

*
* * *

GiNae
finished sweeping the kennels and bagged the soiled straw. She scattered fresh
bedding into each area and checked the food and water levels, r
eplenishing as needed. Opening the door, GiNae whistled and
called to the various
dogas
, who clamored for her attention before
rushing inside. She rubbed the ears of the more persistent ones, and snuggled a
small one before closing the door and latching it
.
Carrying the broom, she tossed the bags in the bin and went to the smaller
kennel where the gentle
catois
were housed. The door to this area was
never latched, for the
catois
preferred to have access to the entire
area, otherwise they panicked. GiNae rep
eated the
process of cleaning the floor and checking the food and water, then tossed the
bag of soiled bedding in the bin. One
catois
twined itself around her ankles. GiNae
bent down to scratch its ears and stroke the sleek body. She was rewarded with
a he
ad bump to the knee, and the rubbing of its face
against her shin.

“I
will be back tomorrow.” With one last stroke, GiNae stood and entered the
building. “RaKel, they are settled for the evening.”

“Thank
you.” The older woman looked up from her desk and cl
osed
the ledger. “Have you the time to go with me on a house call? I need to go look
at a
pannei.
”

“I
would love to come.” GiNae felt her heart beat faster.
Panneis
were her first love, ever since RaKel
had singled her out seven years before to help show h
er
prized Southwest
pannei
at a regional competition. “Is it far?”

RaKel
laughed. “No, not at all. SpaKles gets to stay here.”

GiNae
pretended to pout. “But I can ride him tomorrow, yes?”

“If
you get your work done, you may take him for a ride.” RaKel smil
ed and led the way from the building.

Situated
at the far end of the Trade District, yet still within walking distance of the
Domestic Area and close to the Agriculture Region, RaKel’s Animal Rescue and
Shelter center provided medical attention to domestic
ated
animals and the occasional small wildlife. GiNae knew her friend had various
areas in the woods where she regularly filled feeders, especially in the cold
months. The center also provided a home for strays, with the hope of finding
homes for all.

“I
t
hink CheYel has chosen you as his owner,” RaKel
teased as they walked. “He followed you all over the place today.”

“I
know. Mother is allergic to them, so I cannot have one until I move into my own
dwelling.” GiNae kicked a stray pebble. “This time next y
ear, provided I am allowed to pursue Animal
Rehabilitation.”

“I
thought you would prefer Animal Training.” RaKel directed her down another
path.

“I
would like to do both.” GiNae caught sight of a magnificent dwelling with
spacious barns off to the left. “W
ho lives here?” She
looked in awe at the training yard, horse corral, and the expanse of green
pasture.

“ZuFoh
Oh’Flek and his family.” RaKel bypassed the house and headed for the barn.

GiNae
sucked in her breath and calmed her fluttery stomach.
JaFrei
liv
es here!
Her crush from her Advanced Mathematics
course. But he would not be here; he was still at school.

A
tall, imposing figure emerged from the first barn, indigo locks shot with a
streak of silver at the temple. “Come, he is in here.” He turned and le
d the way to a far stall.

GiNae
halted at the sight of the
pannei
, its copper body streaked with dark
mud. The silver mane, usually shimmering, appeared dull and lifeless, matted
into clumps which dangled haphazard along its long neck.

RaKel
entered the st
all, murmuring soft words to put the
animal at ease. She sank down beside the
pannei’s
head
and began to touch its body in soft, comforting circles. Soon the
pannei
moved its long nose toward her lap and
struggled to move. “ZuFoh, what can you tell me?”

ZuFoh
scowled. “He is on loan from the Northern Pannei Association. They assured me
he was in good health, and could go out to pasture with the others. He refused
food last night, but that is typical behavior, so I thought nothing of it. I
found him this a
fternoon and contacted you when he
would not get up. If he is ill, I do not want the rest of the herd to be
infected.”

RaKel
nodded and asked more questions, which ZuFoh answered. With one last stroke of
the
pannei
, she slowly rose to her feet and dusted h
er hands. “GiNae, can you give me a hand? ZuFoh, will you
be so kind as to hand me his halter?”

He
passed her the item and GiNae helped slip it over the beast’s head. Together
they encouraged the
pannei
to its feet and led it from the stall.
RaKel walked him around in a circle, then to the outside. The
pannei
flinched,
snorted, and bobbed its head up and down several times. GiNae helped calm him,
then watched as the animal relieved itself in a violent man
ner in the grass.

Is this normal for NPs?
GiNae reached out to RaKel as ZuFro
barked orders to clean out the stall and remove the mess from the grass.

RaKel
stroked the
pannei’s
neck.
No.
I am not happy with ZuFoh’s attitude and need to get it back to the
clinic.
Aloud, she turned to her client and informed him she would
contact him after more tests were performed at the clinic.

“If
it is going to cost too much, I will give you the name of his owner and he can
pay for it.” ZuFoh set his dark blue lips in a
thin
line. “And I will lodge a formal complaint against the NPA for providing
inferior animals.” He turned and strode into the barn.

GiNae
gaped at him, feeling her affections toward JaFrei fade. “Nice man.”

RaKel
sighed and shook her head. “He was the sam
e way last
year with his wife’s prized
caleis.
With him, if something is not perfect,
then why keep it?”

“Now
I understand JaFrei a little better. HoNuh, one of the girls he took to a
party, said all he spoke about was his drive to be the best in our class
.”