28
(Vasanaday)
Zara was greeted with a quick kiss as Emeric joined her in the kitchen.
“Good morning,” Zara said. “You’re in a good mood.”
“I always am when I’m around you,” Emeric replied as he went to wash his hands and get ready to help. “What do you want me to do?”
“Are you any good frying eggs?” Zara asked in reply.
“How do you want them done?” he challenged.
“Two sunny-side up, one over easy, still runny,” Zara ordered.
“Yes, Chef!” he replied with a grin.
As Zara instructed a trainee sous-chef on some porridge, she thought more about Emeric. He kept overwhelming her, she realized. But unlike Jeftey who had overwhelmed her with demands, Emeric kept overwhelming her with love and respect – being courteous and helpful, being a partner, not a demander. She loved him, she realized. She deeply and truly loved him – beyond all reason and doubts from her past. Would it be enough?
A flyppaper message came back with the waitress.
“Zukie wishes to know if she’s allowed her head gardener today,” it said. Zara giggled slightly, knowing that Emeric had been with her more often than not. She supposed it was written by Akeld.
“It’s Zukie’s fault,” Zara replied and sent it back.
Zara made sure orders were filled, trying to focus back on her work.
Another message came back with the waitress.
“Is it your turn with the crystal?” Catalia’s handwriting said back.
Zara blushed deeply, remembering the huge fertility crystal that had been given for Akeld and Zukie’s wedding. She really didn’t want to think about that right now.
“No comment!” Zara scribbled back.
Another round of orders were filled and sent out with waitresses.
The service seemed to be drawing to a close. There might be a few stragglers still, but the rush was over.
Suddenly, Zara found herself lifted and carried in Emeric’s strong arms.
“What’s going on!” she demanded in her chef voice.
He seemed not to listen, but carried her out into the dining area. He helped her stand on one of the benches. He stood next to her.
Zara felt bewildered. “What’s going on?” she asked more curiously.
Emeric cleared his throat. Then he began speaking. “Seven days ago, I arrived in Towani City. I had no idea what was in store for me, but I quickly learned that it might have something to do with this pretty little chef who has been cooking my heart ever since I saw her. Knowing that there is a tiny tradition in this family regarding seven days, I take this opportunity to match Zukie and Akeld’s achievement. Zara, will you make the life-bond with me? Will you marry me? Will you allow me to love you for the rest of your life?”
The restaurant was silent.
<I’m not going to cry, I’m not going to cry,> Zara tried to tell herself. “I’m not going to cry,” she said, the tears just beginning to form. “I never dreamed of being so happy! Yes, Emeric!” Zara’s determination not to cry crumbled at that moment. She gave up trying to talk as her tears took over and she kissed Emeric ecstatically, to both applause and laughter in the restaurant.
Finally, there was a bit of quiet again. Zara wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at her grinning sister. “Zukie, do you mind if I borrow your head gardener more often? He’s turning out to be one heckuva good sous-chef!”
“Well, you do have to train someone up to take your place when you are… indisposed,” Zukie replied with a wink. “My children need cousins, after all!”
“I might have to talk to Cyanus about finding another head gardener!” Akeld said merrily.
“Order, Chef!” came a call from the kitchen.
“Back to work!” Zara told her fiancé. “No more mischief!”
“Yes, Chef!” Emeric replied with a final, passionate kiss.
After breakfast, there was a meeting of A’mara. D’zani was nervous escorting Elíaz to it.
“I’m the one who should be nervous,” he said taking her hand.
Cyanus greeted them, then started the meeting when everyone appeared to be present.
“I would like everyone to meet Elíaz – the young man who would rather earn a Death Edict than to obey Balan rules to dishonor D’zani,” Cyanus introduced.
There was a round of respectful applause.
“It takes a very special person to overcome that!” Cyanus said. “However, it is now all our duty to help keep these two young people safe. I do not need to elaborate how the Balan view young women – especially leya-sensitive young women. D’zani, by being associated with Elíaz has become a prime target.”
“How can we be certain that Elíaz is trustworthy to us as a group,” Akeld asked cautiously.
“We were chatting about that yesterday. He was one of the shazes in the warehouse battle. He also confirmed that Zilan and Iyva were here – together. Let’s listen to his version of the tales,” Cyanus suggested and beckoned to the young man.
Elíaz got up and told about the warehouse battle, his observations and why he didn’t fight. He talked about how that action led to his censure by Tasp. Then he talked about the Blast 2 project.
“Hang on!” Akeld said. “Tell us all you know about this one.”
“I don’t know too much about it. Tasp didn’t tell us more than we needed to know to carry out the operation. He had our chef formulate the Petal Bed Plus serum into mints. All we had to do was kiss our victims and push it into their mouths. We were even given an antidote to drink beforehand so that the mint didn’t affect us as well,” Elíaz explained.
“The ingredients were stolen from our stella,” Cyanus explained. “The ingredient for the antidote as well, so we can’t even make more.”
“I still have mine, but it’s not much, only enough to protect one person,” Elíaz said. “I told Tasp that I would not use it on D’zani. He was very angry with me.”
“What happened the other night?” Emeric asked.
“Too many A’mara,” Elíaz said. “Tasp messaged us as much very soon after we got to the club.”
“Do you still have that message?”
“No, I left my PCS link with the Balan – it seemed too dangerous to carry. They might be able to track me with it.”
“As it is, Elíaz and D’zani have already been attacked once. Thankfully, we heard the battle, so we were able to put a stop to it, but the young man disappeared,” Cyanus said.
“That was Breckan – my former roommate and my shaze opponent much of the time. I’m slightly better than him and about equal to Tasp, though I defeated him in the duel to make him leave D’zani alone. Breckan’s also the one who… had an ‘interest’ in D’zani’s friend,” Elíaz explained.
“Where is Vissia?” Cyanus asked D’zani.
“She has been fairly depressed since Breckan stopped talking to her,” D’zani informed.
“Does she need Nina to talk to her, do you think?” Cyanus asked.
“Maybe. Kinokei would be a good choice as well, considering everything Elíaz has told us,” D’zani replied referring to the mission Breckan clearly had.
She could tell that Cyanus understood her unspoken words equally well.
“Elíaz has informed me of his intention to reside and train with us for awhile,” Cyanus announced. “please welcome him with me!”
Other Chapters of this set
Acting the Part - chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Building on Promise - Chapter 1
Acting the Part, part 2 - Chapter 10
Spice of Strength - Chapter 1
Maps and Guides
- continents of Alacantis and Kranisis (five maps)
- continent of Almara (five maps)
- countries of Kri'enden and Yezi'im (four maps plus "other places")
- characters, pronunciation and glossary
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Birth of the Neví 829 T.C.E. It is a tumultuous period of Terrenden history. As is all too common, there are those who wish to profit from the misfortune of others. Some of these come together in a new "charitable organization" and step on the toes of the notorious Uugli. Combine this with draconian new measures to combat pollution and Terrenden has a situation ripe for a power struggle. |
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Rebound of Power: 850 T.C.E. Collection of Romance Terrenden is being terrorized by a previously underestimated Neví who, through the mysterious “Curator,” have been controlling elections all over the planet. In this collection, we meet some interesting women. Iyva - a homeless teenager in Irola whose untrained power leaves her close to death; Marc’la - a breeder of prized caballus in Kasago whose heart lives in the past; Zukie - an abused widow whose heart is afraid to try for future happiness; Jenna - an elections assistant manager and masseuse who has a prejudice against A’mara; Kami - a chola student in Varkevand who has been assigned to protect Ardin, a man who has his own reasons to distrust A’mara. |
| COMING SOON | TO AN EBOOK STORE NEAR YOU!!! |
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Acting the Part - 851 T.C.E. Collection of Romance The Neví have infiltrated the Terrenden Freedom Party. Dr. Jarly is on the run and the Curator still dominates the Terrenden stage. Famous actor, Derick Aiden has released his Neví expose film and now the Neví want him dead... In this collection, we meet more interesting women. Kauri - a simple receptionist who doesn’t realize one of her wildest dreams has come true; Tirry - an elections manager who is always the bridesmaid and never the bride; Zara - a chef who has all but given up on finding love for herself; D'zani - who isn’t even looking, but has to chaperone her more vulnerable roommate; Soala - an heiress who is expected to marry, but refuses to marry someone she doesn’t love; Moxara - one whose past griefs have locked away her heart. We also get updates on some of the lovely ladies we met previously. |
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Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
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