Vareen & Mica (The Alliance Book 2) (11 page)

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.”

Vareen 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.

“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 s
eats
. 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 sile
nt 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.