Chapter Thirty-Four – Likosa, you are…. #2
“Yes, I know about that. And as you know, a pairing can be dissolved but never broken through deceit. You stepped outside the bounds of your promise and even used that as a means to make her doubt her child.”
Farada turned to Likosa before she continued. “For the crimes against our people, the altering of our barriers, Niukshi will stand before the court. But for the crimes against you, the breaking of your bond and the misconstruction of your name and heart, I leave the judgement to you.”
The room fell silent again as everyone waited for Likosa to speak. While we looked at Likosa, she stared down at her daughter, who turned worried eyes on Niukshi.
“I will not issue punishment,” Likosa declared, finally breaking the silence.
What the hell does she mean, no punishment? After everything that crazy woman put her through?
The thought crossed my mind, but before she continued, I already understood the reasoning. She didn’t want to hurt Ashanu anymore.
“Despite all that has happened,” Likosa sighed, “Niukshi is the mother of Ashanu. This beautiful girl has already had to live far too long with doubt in her heart. I will not do that again. All I could think about during my time away was getting back and seeing her. Now that I’m back, I refuse to make her suffer any further for the actions of adults who should know better.
I have no impact on the decisions made by the court, but as far as the crimes against me, I’ve already come to terms with them.
I’ve forgiven Niukshi, and I just want to be able to live in peace. ”
“That is very noble of you.” Farada nodded. “I make no promises the court will take the same position.”
“I understand.” Likosa nodded.
“Now, it is time for you to reconnect with this beautiful little soul. I’m sure we’ll have time to catch up later. There is much I want to discuss with you now that you’re home.”
“Of course.” Likosa nodded as the women filed out of the room. Niukshi hugged Ashanu, avoided eye contact with Likosa, and left the room ahead of Farada.
“You know, you don’t have to stay here.” Ashanu looked up at Likosa.
“What do you mean?” Likosa looked worried.
“I understand your heart now. You didn’t leave before, but what Mom said was true. Your heart wants to explore the universe. I felt it, the adventure inside you.” Ashanu beamed. “It’s how I always thought you’d feel. Besides, your heart doesn’t only belong to Kinasha anymore.”
The little girl glanced at me with a small smile.
“You would support my explorations?” Likosa sounded genuinely shocked.
“Of course.” Ashanu smiled up at her mother, her eyes sparkling with the same pink glint Likosa’s often did. “You’re my mother. I want you to be happy. As long as you promise to always come back. I want to know you.”
“You’re already so mature.” Likosa rubbed Ashanu’s shoulder. “I am so proud of you, but I wish I could have seen you become such a beautiful young soul.”
“I still have a lot of growing to do.” Ashanu giggled.
“Likosa.” A young woman who looked only slightly older than Ashanu entered the room.
She wore a light pink dress with a draped top, reminding me of a saree.
Long braids hung around her face, ending by her waist in beaded tips.
“My name is Dinul. It’s nice to meet you, finally. I’ve heard of you my entire life.”
Likosa smiled. “Dinul, it’s nice to meet you as well.”
“I am here to escort your guest to join the others. Farada requests that you have some time to spend alone with your daughter.”
“I think that’s a great idea.” I nodded at Likosa, who relaxed. “Dinul, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Shontae.”
With a gentle smile, Dinul ushered me out of the room. I took one last glance at Likosa before the doors shut.
Minutes later, Dinul opened the doors to a hall, where the others sat around a long table loaded with food. The moment I saw the platters of fruits, vegetables, and fish, my stomach growled.
“I hadn’t realized how hungry I was!” I grabbed a plate and loaded it with meat and what looked like rice.
Everything looked so good and similar enough to food I would have had on Earth that I didn’t bother with questioning if it was safe to eat.
The others had already dug in, so I assumed they’d already asked the qualifying questions.
“Happens whenever I jump to a new world.” Rayna laughed as she cut into her own food. “It's like it takes my body a while to catch up to things. One moment, I’m perfectly fine, and the next, I feel like I can eat a full-grown cow by myself.”
“Do you travel between worlds often?” I asked.
“I do.” She nodded.
“I mean, how do you manage going back to Earth?” I paused. “Sorry if this is too invasive.”
“No, it’s not. I—” Rayna started.
“You considering it?” Whitney asked. “Thinking about coming back to Kinasha? Or is it the Bane you’re interested in?”
“Well…” I could feel my face warming.
“Whitney, stop being so nosy. I swear, it’s like Jackie is rubbing off on you,” Jericha fussed.
“Jackie?” I asked, happy for the topic change.
“A friend. We’ll introduce you when we get back to Earth. She’ll be excited to meet you, and honestly, she is someone you’re going to want in your corner,” Whitney said. “My bestie is a badass!”
“I look forward to meeting her.”
“To answer your question,” Rayna sipped from a cup, eyeing Whitney, who mimed zipping her lips, “I’m starting slow.
Mostly because I don’t want to miss too much time on Earth.
The way time moves in different parts of the universe can be jarring.
I worried about leaving one day and going back to a world where everyone I knew is gone. ”
“I have one more question, if you don’t mind.” I hoped she said she was done asking questions, because even though I wanted to know the answer, I felt embarrassed to ask it. I could have waited until we were alone, but it felt like this was something everyone wondered about anyway.
“Sure.” Rayna nodded. “I’m an open book.”
“Do you have any…feelings for Likosa?” As soon as the question was out my mouth, I filled it with the most delicious fish I’d ever tasted but had to keep the joy from shaking my body as I waited for her to answer.
“I figured you might ask that. And trust me, after the water-banging comment, I get it.” Rayna threw a grape at Whitney. “If anyone had said something like that to me about Metice, I wouldn’t have been able to hold back. But you don’t have anything to worry about with me and Likosa.”
“Hey, to be fair, I had no idea you were into her like that when I said it,” Whitney defended herself.
“It’s okay.” I laughed.
“Are you thinking about trying to make it work with her?” Rayna asked. “I mean, I figure I have the right to ask you one question now.”
“Yeah, you absolutely have the right to ask me whatever you want at this point.” I sighed and poked at the food in front of me. “I don’t know what I’m thinking. It’s so hard for me to genuinely connect with people at times. Their emotions overwhelm me so much.”
“Likosa taught us how to block it before we met you,” Jericha added.
“Really?” The information shocked me, mostly because I hadn’t even realized I couldn’t feel any of them. I had been so concerned with Likosa and the potential that she had something going on with Rayna, I overlooked it.
“Yeah.” Whitney smiled. “She said she wanted to protect your peace. Luckily, it was a quick lesson for us all.”
“I’m glad it was. And thank you for doing that for me.”
“Hey, I don’t want you knowing everything I feel.” Jericha laughed.
“I get it.” I looked around the table at women, who seemed sincerely interested in getting to know me.
“With Likosa, I had to try to get to know her and understand her. I think that’s what made it so great.
Now, I just think about having to potentially walk away from that and go back to the way it was before. ”
“Maybe there is a way to make it work,” Rayna said. “I mean, I had the same thoughts about Metice.”
“Same.” Jericha lifted her glass before drinking. “I was sure there was no way it would work with Raymond, but he does spend most of his time on Earth, so that helps.”
“Yeah, maybe.” I took encouragement from their testimonies.
“Let’s not dwell on the negative now.” Whitney, the only one who didn’t have to worry about managing an interdimensional relationship, clapped. “We came and succeeded, and those beautiful women will be back to get us soon.”
“They will?” I looked at the door as if they would come walking in right at that moment.
“Oh yeah, they’re going to give us a little tour while Likosa is busy with her daughter and whatever laundry list of things I’m sure she needs to handle.”
“Well, let me eat up then.” I took another bit of the fish, this time allowing the happy dance to take over my body.