Chapter 8
Mirilla rushed into the royal corridor of the East wing and slowed to a normal walk. She smiled happily as she made her way down the corridor toward the royal residence. Why would she not? She had a position at the palace she loved. She was close personal friends with the Sovereigna, and hoped to soon be the same with the Sirena. Her smile faltered for a moment as she considered what she was about to do. She’d already been turned away once, and hated to make a nuisance of herself, but had no choice other than to follow the Sovereigna’s direction.
Bolstering her courage, and building up a little fortitude, she squared her shoulders, brushed her hands down her long, straight skirt, and reinforced her smile.
She saw the two guards standing outside the royal residence long before she reached the middle of the corridor where they stood. They didn’t turn to look at her, but she had no doubt they knew she was there. They’d known since she’d set foot in the corridor.
She came to a stop in front of them, smiling up at both of them. She knew them both well from their time as personal guards for their Sovereigna, and it was obvious they didn’t deem her a threat or they’d have already reacted to remove her from the corridor. “Hello, Yaghn. Var don, how are you?”
Neither answered right away; they were on duty.
“You know I wasn’t able to see the Sirena earlier, but our Sovereigna has requested that I return with a personal message for her.”
Yaghn finally focused on her. “Mirilla, Zahn asked you to leave when you tried to see her before. We can’t give you access.”
“Yes, he did. But this time, I have a message that must be delivered in person. It’s from our Sovereigna. ”
“Mirilla, we know you well. And you are much respected, but our orders are that no one gets inside.”
“Please. Just ask if she’ll see me long enough for me to deliver the message so I can at least let our Sovereigna know I tried. If after you tell her that I only wish to deliver the message, and to welcome her to the palace, she still won’t see me, I’ll go.”
Neither made a move to try to grant her entrance, or to even go find out if she could enter.
“I can’t believe that she’s really so hard to deal with that you won’t even ask if she wishes to receive her message.”
“She’s not hard to deal with at all. In fact, she’s kind and considerate,” Yaghn said.
“And funny. She’s got a sense of humor,’ Var don said, nodding to affirm what he’d just said.
“Then I wonder why she won’t speak to me,” Mirilla said.
“She’s with child, tired and overwhelmed. And she has visitors. In fact, one of them just returned from meetings with our Sovereign. Perhaps another day.”
Mirilla pressed her lips together and sighed as she let her arms hang lax at her sides. “Alright. I understand. I’ll just tell our Sovereigna I was unable to deliver her message. I hope she won’t be too disappointed in me.”
Yaghn and Var don shared a look as Mirilla turned away from them, her shoulders slumped and she started to walk slowly away.
“I will ask,” Yaghn said. “But if she refuses, you must leave at once.”
“I give my word,” Mirilla promised, turning back to them happily.
“Come. Stand just here behind me, as I’ll ask if she’ll see you,” Yaghn said.
Mirilla smiled and hurried to stand just behind him, exactly where he’d indicated, as she tried to see around him to get a glimpse at whomever might open the massive front doors to the suite when he knocked.
Yaghn knocked, then took a step back to stand at attention to wait for the door to be answered .
It took a few moments, but eventually the door opened to reveal a familiar male, human, with dark hair, a strong jaw and high cheekbones. His skin was a dark tan, and his eyes dark and mysterious, just like the Sirena’s. He was tall and muscular but not overly so, like all of the Cruestaci males.
“Bart,” she breathed his name out on a sigh.
~~~
Bart was in the downstairs kitchen of Vivi and Quin’s quarters having a quick snack from the leftover platters the chef had delivered for Vivian earlier, when he thought he heard a knock at the front door of the suite. He stepped out of the kitchen and looked around, but there was no one to be seen. In fact, he hadn’t seen anyone since he’d returned from his meetings with Zha Tahl. “Anybody here?” he called out. No one answered.
He walked over to the stairs and stepped up one or two, his face lifted toward the second floor of the royal residence. “Vivian? Are you up there?!”
When nothing but silence could be heard, he took it up on himself to answer the door. He walked over and pulled the door open.
“Chairman Bartholomew,” Yaghn said, addressing him quickly before he could speak, and giving a slight bow. “We have an individual that has arrived with a message from our Sovereigna. As it is a personal message for the Sirena, we cannot turn her away without attempting to allow her to deliver it.”
“Oh, of course. But, I don’t think anyone is here but me.”
“I believe that our Sirena is inside, along with her personal guard. But in an effort not to disturb her, perhaps you can receive the message and you can deliver it to Sirena Vivian,” Yaghn suggested.
“I can do that,” Bart said.
Mirilla stepped out from behind Yaghn, and though her eyes were downcast, she gave only the hint of a smile as she spoke. “Hello, Chairman Bartholomew. ”
“Mirilla!”
She allowed herself to smile demurely. “If you wouldn’t mind, may I repeat the message the Sovereigna sent for the Sirena?”
“Of course, but why don’t you just come in. You can tell her yourself when we manage to locate her.”
“Oh, I don’t want to impose.”
“You’re not. I just finished up work for the day, and I’m the only one in the whole of downstairs at the moment. You’re welcome to wait for Vivian to join us. Please, come inside.”
“Well, if you’re sure.”
“I’m very sure. Come on in.”
She smiled up at Yaghn. “Thank you, Yaghn.”
“You’re welcome, Mirilla. If you need anything else, let us know.”
“I will.”
Bart held the door wide, inviting her in, then closed the door behind her. “Is the message of any importance? Should we begin a search for Vivian right away?”
“Oh, I don’t think that’s necessary. It’s just a personal update.”
“Are you hungry, thirsty? We have plenty if you are,” Bart said.
“No, thank you. I just had a meal.”
“Okay. Would you like to sit down?”
“I’m fine right here.”
“So how have you been?” Bart asked.
“Very well. And you?”
“I’m great. Busy, but doing great. No real complaints.”
“And, you know Sirena Vivian,” she said.
“Vivian is family.”
“She is?!” Mirilla asked, surprised, her eyes flashing up to his briefly before focusing on the floor once more.
“She is. She’s my aunt.”
“I had no idea! ”
He could see her forehead bunching in confusion as she tried to figure out how the Sirena could be his aunt, when he looked older than she did.
“She is. There’s not much family left for us, so we make an effort to remain close.”
“I can certainly understand that.”
They stood awkwardly, the things neither of them were saying the loudest thing in the room.
Bart finally broke the ice. “I’ve missed you, Mirilla.”
Finally she looked up at him. “Have you?”
“I have. I wanted to reach out a hundred times.”
“I have been right here.”
“I wasn’t sure how receptive you’d be to me contacting you directly. I can’t believe it’s possible to keep anything that is between us out of view of anyone who cares to notice if I had reached out to you directly.”
“I know how important it was for you to maintain the impression that we were only friends when you were here last.”
He looked at her for a moment realizing she felt slighted. “Whatever steps I took to maintain the appearance of a simple friendship was out of a concern for you and any unpleasant reaction you might have to face as a result.”
Mirilla nodded and flashed him a smile before looking down at the floor again.
“I assure you I didn’t intend to leave you wondering about my intentions.”
“It’s alright. I didn’t.”
“Mirilla, I knew that you were anxious to keep our attentions for one another private. I didn’t know if it would be a threat to your position here or not, so I didn’t follow through on my desire to contact you. Otherwise I would have, many times.”
“I understand. And you were right, it was best to keep everything to ourselves.”
He stood there for a few more awkward moments. “I’m really glad to see you again.”
Mirilla smiled. “I am glad to see you again, too. Will you be visiting long? ”
“I’ll be here at least until the baby is born, and perhaps a little longer. I’d like to share some time with you.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“I’m talking about sharing a meal. Perhaps you could take me on a tour of the grounds. Just take a walk, spend some time talking. I love your company. You make me laugh. You make me forget for a while the responsibilities I have hanging over my head.” He stopped speaking, watching her and trying to gauge her reaction. “If it’s better to keep our friendship, relationship, or whatever it is to you a secret, I understand. You can count on me to hold your confidence, for now.”
Mirilla looked up at him and saw the sincerity in his expression. He hadn’t forgotten her, and their rushed whispered words of want and mutual admiration. He’d been protecting her privacy. “So that you know, when speaking with Sovereigna Eula shortly after you left, I did allude to the fact that I’d become fond of you.”
His smile was immediate. “I’m glad.”
“I thought you’d just forgotten me.”
“How could you think I’d just forgotten, Mirilla,” he said, stepping closer and taking both her hands in his.
“I thought that the things you’d said, perhaps you only meant in the moment.”
“I never said a word to you that wasn’t heartfelt. But I couldn’t get a communication through to you without everyone in any position of power on Cruestace knowing, and I didn’t know if you wanted that.”
She curled her fingers around his, the warmth of her hands seeping into his. “Perhaps we should have spent a little more time talking of what we did and didn’t expect.”
Bart grinned at her. “Without a doubt.”
“Maybe we can find a little time to spend together.”
“I will make time. You tell me when you’re available and I’ll make sure that I’m available, too.”
She smiled up at him. “I may not always have advance notice. I’m overseeing Eula’s quarters and staff as well as our Sirena’s if she’ll allow it. ”
“I’ll be staying here. I’m in the bedroom closest to the downstairs kitchen. Feel free to visit me here any time you please. You do not need advance notice. Just come. If it’s during the day, we can venture out. If it’s not, then we’ll share a litah here, or maybe just talk.”
Bart moved even closer to her and lifted a hand to cup her cheek as he leaned his head nearer hers, giving her time to pull away if she wanted to.
But she didn’t want to. Instead, she leaned into his kiss, into his warmth and eagerly pressed her lips to his.
Lost in kissing the female he’d thought about nonstop since the last time he’d been on Cruestace, he wrapped an arm around her and pressed her body closer to his as he caressed her face and kissed her slowly, passionately.
A throat cleared.
Bart just barely managed to pull his lips away from hers and opened his dazed eyes to see who dared to interrupt their private moment.
“Quin,” he said.
Mirilla turned around and immediately dropped her gaze to the floor. “Sire.”
“Bart. Mirilla.”
“Forgive me, Sire. Your mother sent a message to Sirena Vivian and I was attempting to deliver it,” she stammered.
Quin laughed. “I’m fairly certain that’s not Vivi, and nothing I just saw had to do with a message from my mother.”
“Mirilla and I know each other from the last time I was here,” Bart said.
“I would hope so,” Quin said.
“Definitely. And you’ll be seeing a lot more of me now that I know she feels the same as I do,” Bart explained.
“So, this is the female you met and avoided telling us about,” Quin said.
“Yes,” Bart said, proudly, placing an arm around Mirilla’s shoulders and presenting a unified front.
Quin grinned. “I couldn’t be happier. I’m happy for you both. ”
“You are?” Mirilla asked, shocked.
“Why wouldn’t I be. You are a kind, caring, honest female. Bart is my Ehlealah’s family. I wish only the best for you both.”
“I thought… it’s not… those employed by the palace do not fraternize with dignitaries.”
“Not as a habit, no. But times are evolving, Mirilla. And he’s not a dignitary. He’s family. Does anyone know where my Ehlealah is?” he asked, shifting his attention to what he really wanted to know.
“I haven’t seen her. When I got back from my meeting, no one was here but me.”
Quin touched his ear. “Where are you?” he asked. He listened for a moment, then nodded.
“What did she say?” Bart asked when Quin started up the stairs.
“I spoke to Zahn. They’re in the sun room upstairs.”
“Ohhh, didn’t know there was a sun room,” Bart said.
“And a rooftop garden. And an exercise room. And a library. And a private office. And…”
“I get it. There’s a lot up there.”
“Want to come?” Quin asked.
“I do. I’d like to see it,” Bart said, starting toward the stairs.
Mirilla stayed back, shaking her head.
“Come on,” Bart said, holding out his hand for her to take.
Looking like what his father would call a deer in the headlights back on Earth, she shook her head as she regarded him wide-eyed.
“Mirilla! Come,” Quin barked out.
“Yes, Sire!” she answered, quickly rushing past Bart to follow Quin.
Bart caught up with her and took her hand in his, looking questioningly at her.
“He’s not known for having the best disposition,” she whispered.
“I heard that!” Quin called.
Mirilla looked horrified when she met Bart’s gaze.
Bart laughed. “She’s not wrong, Quin. ”
“I’m a lovely individual. Vivi tells me so all the time,” Quin announced as he reached the top of the steps and turned to wait for them to catch up. “In all honesty, Mirilla, I’m a much different male. If you matter to Bart, and my Vivi says you can be here, you are welcome here.”
“That’s the problem, Sire. I’ve still not met her. Her guard sent me away.”
“And you came back? Impressive.”
“Our Sovereigna sent me back to deliver a message,” she confessed.
“Of course, she did. What’s the message?” Quin asked.
“That she is busy with duties she must attend but that she’ll see her tomorrow,” Mirilla said.
Quin shook his head as he met Bart’s smirk.
“It’s an important message,” Bart said with a grin.
“It’s a plan of subterfuge to get Mirilla in to see Vivi,” Quin said. “My mother is nothing if not sly.”
Bart laughed. “Someone would have to be for you to come by it so naturally.”
“I am not sly. I am forceful, and dominating, and a brilliant strategist.”
“Strategies required being sly, cunning.”
Quin simply shrugged and walked away. “Perhaps. Come, allow me to show you the sun room, and to introduce you to my Ehlealah, Mirilla.” He led the way through the upper living areas to the sun room. He opened the door and stepped into the glass enclosed room filled with plants and small trickling fountains. Zahn and Rel were both already standing at attention near the entrance.
“Sire,” they both said.
“You both know Bart’s friend, Mirilla, don’t you?” Quin asked.
Zahn gave a sharp inclination of his head, but managed to refrain from making any other comment.
“We met her earlier in the day. We turned her away as per our Sirena’s desire to maintain a staff free home,” Rel said .
Quin nodded at them. “I would have done the same.” Quin stepped past them and followed a path that had been created through the plant life thriving in the sun room. “Vivi!”
“I’m over here!” she called back.
“I have Bart with me.”
“Oh! I didn’t know either of you were back. I love this room. Have you seen this room?” she asked, trying to get up out of the lounge chair she’d been reclining in.
Quin found her rolling back and forth, trying in vain to throw her weight to one side or the other to rise from the chair. He couldn’t help his smile and chuckle. “Let me help you, Ehlealah.”
“I feel like a doodle bug! I can’t even get myself up out of a chair!”
“It’s not a standard chair, Ehlealah.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m so ready for this to be over.”
“It won’t be long, Vivi. I promise. I see the signs.”
“What signs? How do you see signs and I don’t?”
“Because I’ve been speaking with the doctors here on Cruestace. We will have an appointment for you to meet with them tomorrow.”
Vivian’s demeanor immediately changed. “I miss Doc,” she said.
“I know. But our doctors here are just as talented as Doc. You’ll see. You’ll like them.”
“Okay.”
Bart and Mirilla stepped into view.
“Ah, and here is Bart.”
“Bart!” Vivian said, turning to face him.
Bart went to Vivian and hugged her.
Vivian accepted his hug, then gave her undivided attention to the female at his side.
“This is Mirilla,” Bart said.
“Mother sent her with a message for you.”
“Oh, what’s the message?” Vivi asked.
“That she was busy with duties she couldn’t avoid today and would hopefully see you tomorrow. ”
Vivian smiled and shook her head. “So, that’s the best she could come up with to get you past my guards?”
Mirilla looked panicked.
“It’s okay. I learned from Zahn that he’d turned you away earlier. I honestly expected her to bring you back herself.”
“She wishes for me to be of assistance to you because she worries about you acclimating, and your health with the impending arrival of your youngling. She also hopes that we can be great friends. But I only say that because I don’t want there to be any subterfuge between us.”
Vivian took a second to admire the female. Like the rest of the Cruestaci females, the color of her skin was strikingly beautiful. The Cruestaci males had bright, vivid tones to their skin, and came in an array of colors, but the females were paler, almost creamy in color rather than vivid. Mirilla’s skin was a pale peach, and her hair was what would be considered on Earth a very pale strawberry blonde. Her lashes were a couple of shades darker than her hair, and her eyes were almost the same shade as her lashes. Her lips were a peachy pink color. She was absolutely hypnotizing to look at. “Wow. You’re stunning.”
Slightly embarrassed, Mirilla turned her gaze down to the ground again. “Thank you, Sirena. You are as well.”
“Eh, I’m just human. You’re gorgeous.” Vivian looked at Bart hovering near her. “So, this is the someone you met, then?” Vivian asked.
Both Mirilla and Bart answered. “Yes,” they both admitted.
Vivian smiled to herself. She’d only been asking Bart, but the fact that they both answered, showed that they were both interested in the other.
“I am very pleased to meet you, Mirilla.”
“Thank you, Sirena.”
“Vivi. I know all the protocol and you’ll have to call me Sirena in public and all that, but if you’re going to spend time with Bart, and if you’re going to become a friend, then my name is Vivian. Or Vivi will work, too.”
“Thank you, Vivian. I am humbled to refer to you on such a personal basis. ”
“Phft, I’m no different than you.”
“Ehlealah, you are a member of the royal family.”
Vivian shrugged and returned her attention to Mirilla. “So, why is it that everyone wants me to allow you to come into my home to take care of my family and my home, when it is my responsibility to do so?”
Mirilla hesitated, looking toward Bart for some sign of guidance, only to find him looking at Vivian with the shocked look she was sure she was wearing.
“I, uh, I don’t believe that she plans for me to… insert myself into a position of prominence with your family, or to remove any importance or responsibility you may feel from your hands. She means only for me to ease your responsibilities as you approach and recover from the birth of your youngling.”
“Why do you say that?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why is that the response you offered?” Vivian asked.
Again Mirilla looked at Bart, who simply watched her, staring deeply into her eyes. If ever she wished she could read minds, this was it, unfortunately, though, she couldn’t. The last thing she wanted was to offend the Sirena by not being honest with her. “I have never minded much when someone I thought was a friend acted in a manner to prove to me that they weren't. What I’ve minded is the insult to my intelligence. The thought on their part that I might not notice, or would be too unaware to send them away if ever they felt they had something to gain in the future by feigning friendship once more. The one thing I will not do, is to intentionally mislead someone, anyone. So, I hope you’ll forgive me if my honesty offends you now.” Taking a deep breath, she took one step toward Vivi. “If I were a female mated to a strong, powerful male, the last thing I’d be comfortable with is another female, a young one at that moving among my family, in my household, with unfettered access to my male. I assume this is the same for you, and if I’m correct, I fully understand your position. If I’m not, forgive my impertinence.”
Vivian smiled at her. “You’re very close. I have no doubt that my Quin will never look at another, nor accept another for any reason. But I have a possessiveness over my home and family that most might not understand. They are the heart of who I am. I resent anyone for any reason thinking they have the right to assume my place and my ability to keep my home and my family taken care of, running smoothly, and functioning happily.”
“And I would not presume to. I am, however, available for anything at all that you may want to instruct me to do. If you have a certain way you like things put away, or a certain meal cooked here in your quarters, or anything at all. Feel free to stand, or sit, and direct me as you over see it if it makes it easier for you to run your household while you are incapacitated and require more rest for yourself than usual.”
“Maybe.”
“I have seen you and your battle gear. I have seen you and your shraler. You are mighty. Our warriors call you the Warrior’s Sirena. I have nothing but admiration for your strength, Sirena. I am not attempting to usurp your position or your place in any manner.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Any woman worth her weight would absolutely understand. Do not trust one that does not.”
“I like you!” Vivian exclaimed. “Bart. I like her!”
“So do I,” Bart agreed.
Mirilla smiled and looked at the floor again.
“I told you you would like her,” Quin said.
“You did. And you were right.”
“Sirena, I would like to come in once or twice a day to remove any used linens and clothes to have them laundered and returned to your quarters. Once I learn your preferred snacks and drinks, I will be sure that they are stocked at all times, and our Sire has already advised that a light is to be left on in each room. Is this something that you might be open to?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. I don’t like people wandering around my space without me knowing they’re there. I have, problems with trust. ”
Mirilla nodded quickly. “It is our way to tend to your needs without being seen and intruding on your family, but I can make sure that I announce my presence and ask before entering your quarters if that will better serve your preferences.”
“If I decide that I will accept help for a little while, I would prefer that you ask entrance and let me know you’re here. If I decide that I want help. Right now, I’m still undecided.”
“Please do not hesitate to let me know if you change your mind.”
“I will. In the meantime. Would you care to stay for a while? My nephew is due back any time now and we’re just going to be visiting and getting to know each other. If you are special to Bart, then, you should be here, too. Samuel would like very much to meet you, I think.”
“Samuel?” Mirilla asked.
“My father,” Bart explained.
Mirilla seemed surprised for only a moment before she recovered her composure, her usual pleasant smile in place, her hands folded before her. “I’d like to stay to get to know everyone better.”
“One condition, though,” Vivian said.
“Of course,” Mirilla said, giving a slight bow.
“Stop all that bowing and serving attitude. You’re here as someone who is special to Bart, and Bart is special to us. You are not a servant, nor a member of the staff when you’re here.”
“Thank you, Vivian,” Mirilla said.
“Thank you, Mirilla,” Vivian echoed. “Now, can someone get me downstairs?”
Quin picked her up, pressing his lips to her forehead before she had time to settle into his arms. “Downstairs it is,” he said.