Lavender & Ice

44. Aftermath

"His partner for life?! He may feel in love with her right now, but that hardly means they were meant to be partners for life." She scoffed

"Are you so out of touch with reality, female?"

Thala stood. "Japheth. How dare you speak to me that way!"

Japheth stood, matching her stance. "I love you Thala, but this has gotten out of hand. We are trying to speak with you, and you are refusing to listen to anything anyone says. Did you not see our son out in that field? Truly see him? Because I did. And I am heartbroken. All I feel is shame."

Thala let out a long breath and sat back down, placing her face and her hands. "How can he be life partners with an alien?"

"You know no one can never simply decide who they are destined to be with. We are brought together with someone and through getting to know them a bond is created that cannot be severed. A Qarthan male would only react this emotionally for a life partner. We were fools for not recognizing the signs of how serious this was earlier. And the way the girl reacted when she was forced on that ship... I thought it was simply due to the heightened emotional nature of her species." Japheth sighed as he leaned back in his chair. "But now I will be haunted by those

images and by my thoughtless decision for the rest of my life."

After a long moment of silence, Thala spoke again. "Even if what you were saying is true, What is it you expect us to do now?"

"You can start by apologizing to your son." Kahal said as he stood and walked out of the room, heading to his youngest brother's dwelling.

~~~~~~~~~~

Ashima woke with a start, but immediately held her head as it protested the sudden action and bright lighting. She laid back down and drew in deep breaths to calm herself. She had hardly slept the past few days, in turmoil over breaking Kietnan's heart along with her own. But that last night was the worst. Knowing the Aerulians were coming. She lay awake all night doubting her ability to do the selfless thing.

She felt like a fool to have run from Kietnan, to not have enjoyed the time they had together. But at the same time she kept reminding herself of why she did it. For him. She would do anything for him. No matter how much it hurt her. But she couldn't leave without saying goodbye. She wouldn't.

Yet, now as she laid here in complete misery, she wondered if she would survive this pain. Tears began to slowly roll down her cheeks, yet again. She wasn't sure how she was still able to produce them. As if her body had an endless supply of the warm liquid.

As she had waited in the cave for him to come, she practically wore a path into the floor with her pacing. Once she saw him, how would she be able to keep herself from running into his arms and never leaving? That was all she wanted, that was all every fiber of her being wanted. The anticipation almost drove her mad.

When footsteps had come down the path, the excitement was like electricity shooting through her body. When guards entered the cave instead, confusion came first, and then when Teluq mirrored her confusion but also seemed worried, then Ashima's panic set in.

When the general walked in, her mind had flashed back to being taken from the tent dwelling at camp. So much had happened since then, so much time had passed, and yet here she was again. Being taken away against her will.

She had begged them to wait for Kietnan. Begged until her throat was raw and her fingers were bleeding from trying to grab purchase on the stones as they pulled her through the tunnel.

"Not without saying goodbye! You can't do this to him! Let me tell him goodbye!" She had screamed and pleaded, and eventually whispered when her voice left her. But it had all fallen on deaf ears.

Teluq tried to persuade them as well, but what could she do against a whole group of people far beyond her status and stature? She hoped Teluq wouldn't be punished for her insistent questioning of the General. When they arrived at the Aerulians ship and saw the king and queen, she knew her fate was truly sealed. But that hadn't stopped her from fighting anyway.

The sound of metal and wood scraping brought her attention back to the present and she turned to see a door opening and light filling the room. She immediately closed her eyes, her headache didn't need the extra stimulation. She had cried so hard she had practically passed out in less than half an hour, only waking a few moments ago. She had no idea how much time had passed.

"Oh, good. You're awake." An Aerulian woman's voice came from the open doorway before it was shut gently behind her.

Ashima slowly opened her eyes and made herself sit up. She put on the most genuine smile she could muster. "Good Morning."

"Good Morning, Ashima. How are you feeling?"

"I've been better." She chuckled. "My head is pounding."

"Ah." The woman turned and grabbed the tray she had sat on a table. "Here. I brought you water and a pain reliever. I was guessing you could use it. There's also toast and fruit spread."

"Thank you, that's perfect, um... What's your name?"

"Gahna." She smiled.

"Gahna, thank you."

"Of course. Do you need anything else?"

"I'll take this and see how things settle. Thanks."

"There's fresh clothes in the drawer of your bedside table. I'll come check on you in a bit and we'll talk more then."

Ashima nodded and then took the pill, following it with half the glass of water. She made it a third of the way through the toast when she laid down and sleep took her. 

~~~~~~~

"A gaudir?"

"Yes." Thala responded to Japheth.

"You think it's an appropriate time to throw a lavish party?" Kahal asked.

"Dear, a gaudir is a rejoicing event. It will bring our people together and lift everyone's spirits."

"And what exactly are we rejoicing?" Joreth questioned.

Thank huffed, then paused to draw in a calming breath. "Both sets of trials are over. Yet our people are still talking of the visit from the other world and they're still nervous. We need an event to draw them together, to ease their fears and help them move forward."

"That does actually make sense." Othen agreed.

"It's too soon." Kahal argued.

"When will it not be too soon?" Garen questioned. "How long do we let our people continue on this path of rumors and looking up to the skies in worry and confusion. As much as I hate gaudirs, we need to start redirecting their focus now, before it gets worse. It's not a bad idea."

"We can start planning it now, that will get the rumors started. But we'll announce it officially in two days. Schedule it for one week from tomorrow, during the high moon." Japheth instructed.

"Splendid idea." Thala beamed.

"Kahal, speak to your brother about this and explain our reasoning. I don't want him to hear it from someone else and think we're purposefully trying to be insensitive. If I didn't think our people needed this, we wouldn't be celebrating while he's in pain."

"Yes, my king."

"Have you seen him yet today? How is he doing?" Thala asked.

"I stopped by on my way here. I knew he wouldn't come but asked him to join anyway." Othen answered. "I can't decide if he's the same or worse."

"You haven't seen him?" Garen asked.

She shook her head.

"He won't see us." Japheth answered.

"Ah." Garen answered, the room suddenly feeling awkward. "Give him time. And don't pressure him." He gave his sister a pointed look.

She simply let out a sad sigh in response.