by Zara Zenia
"Does it say how long she is planning to take on that one?" I ate another delicious bite.
"Ms. Morse has two days blocked out for it, Miss Laura."
I nodded, thinking. "Is that all that she has thus far on her calendar?"
"As for now, Miss Laura, it is all I can access."
"Yes, well, we both know Mother likes to change things on a whim. The retreat though, sounds as if that is more of a vacation and those she usually follows through on, but we'll see. I'll email Rawklix to tell him of the possibility."
"That would be wise, Miss Laura. That way he can be prepared to visit should a window of time open up."
"I think that is our best course of action. Thank you, Colonel. I don't know what I would do without you."
"It is indeed my pleasure, Miss Laura." His eyes brightened again. "Shall we play a game of chess after your lunch?"
"I would enjoy that, Colonel. Let me send the email first and then I can put the laptop away."
"As you wish, Miss Laura. I shall prepare the board."
I finished eating and then began my email to Rawklix.
Rawklix,
Colonel Weiss have created a way to hide you within the system for when you visit me next.
~ L.
I closed the laptop and set it aside so that Colonel Weiss could put the board down. I cleaned up my lunch, recovering it with the silver dome and setting it aside to be returned to the kitchen later.
Thursday morning, I woke with an anxiousness in my heart. Mother still had not told me of her plans to go on the retreat and I feared she had changed her mind. Filled with nervous energy, I set about cleaning my room. I was scrubbing the floor in the bathroom when she knocked on the door.
"Come in," I called, wiping a soap bubble from my cheek.
"What are you doing, Laura? Come out of there."
"I'm scrubbing the floor, Mother, and soaked through, I don't want to drip on my bedroom floor. Do you actually need me out there?"
Mother sighed. "No, I suppose not. I merely wanted to tell you I'll be away for a few days."
"Oh? Where are you off to this time?" I asked, settling back on my heels and peering out of the doorway at her.
"Nowhere special. Just meeting with our company heads in California."
"Oh, what about?" I asked, wondering if she'd actually tell me the truth.
"Nothing too important. Just going over the yearly budget with them. As I said, I'll be gone a few days. If you need anything, I am sure that Colonel Weiss can take care of it." She smiled. "Please remember, the techs in the Castle are not to be your servants while I'm gone. No, fast food. I do not wish to be brought back home because you felt the need to fill your body with crap food."
"Yes, of course, Mother. I will just eat whatever Colonel Weiss makes for me. I promise."
"Good." She sighed and stared at me distastefully. "Do be sure to shower after you finish, Laura. Cleaning the floors is such a disgusting job, I can't believe you enjoy doing it. I can always send the cleaners in to take care of it."
"You know I don't like them in my space, they always mess my things up." Really it was because they were a bunch of snoops who told Mother everything I was doing in my own space. I'd finally told her that I liked to do the cleaning myself, it made me feel like I'd accomplished something when I did it and she'd agreed to allow me to do it.
"Whatever. I am off then, my dear." She finger waved to me.
"Goodbye, Mother. Have a safe trip."
She nodded and left my room, closing the door behind her.
I finished up the bathroom floor as I waited to hear the sound of her chopper in the air. Once I did, I stripped out of my jeans and then hopped in my shower. I'd washed my hair the night before, so I left it pinned in a massive bun on my head and got clean, then redressed in a nice flowy dress before emailing Rawklix.
He quickly replied that he was on his way and while I waited, I brushed out my hair. I decided to braid it into French braids for the day and then went to the balcony to watch for Rawklix to arrive. As soon as I saw his transport vehicle park in the lot, I bounced with excitement. I could not wait to see him and wished I could fly down the stairs and into his arms, but that might have caused Thornbush to activate, and I couldn't have that. So I paced the floor while I waited for the knock on my door from Colonel Weiss.
As the knock sounded minutes later, I could barely contain my glee. I rushed to open the door and as soon as he stepped over the threshold I threw myself into his arms, molding myself to his much larger frame. Colonel Weiss pulled the door closed and went back downstairs as Rawklix wrapped his arm around my waist.
"I missed you," I said into his shoulder.
His grip tightened around me. "I missed you too." He pulled back and smiled. "I brought you something," he said.
"You did?" I stepped back from him. "What is it?"
"You'll have to open it." He chuckled.
I took his free hand and led him over to the table and chairs. He sat down and as I went to sit in the other chair, he pulled me down to sit on his leg. I blushed but was secretly thrilled. He handed me the small box. It was slightly heavy and glanced at him curiously as I opened it. "What is it?"
"Open the lid and look," he said.
I set the wrapping paper aside and opened the lid. Inside was a jar filled with tiny granules of sand, but it wasn't normal sand, like here on Earth, it was soft pinks swirled with purple. "Is this from Trilyn?" I asked, my voice soft. I was in awe.
"It is. From outside my home on the Solarin Islands."
I took the lid off and dipped my hand into it. It was soft as silk as it drizzled through my fingers. I could imagine an entire beach full of it, warmed by the sun — a thought struck me, and I had to ask, "Does the sun shine on Trilyn?"
He chuckled. "We have a different sun than you have for the planet Earth. Ours is twice as large. Trilyn, as I mentioned is in a different galaxy than Earth. The average temperature on the Solarin Islands is about eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit, using your scale of heat here in the US."
"Do they get much rain?" I asked still curious. "The Solarin Islands, I mean."
"We get our fair share, I suppose overall. Certain parts of the Islands gets rain daily. Those are the most lush parts of the Island. The areas that are very dense and jungle like. Many of my favorite fruits grow there, so I am careful to keep it as natural as it should be. Next time I come, I shall bring you some of my favorite wine made from the Gala fruit plant. It's sweet and fruity tasting, I think you will like it."
"I'm not twenty-one yet," I said, and then immediately felt stupid. What did it matter if I wasn't twenty-one? It wasn't like I was going out into the world and drive a car or something. "I guess it wouldn't matter though, since its not like anyone is going to check my id, are they?" I laughed. "As if I even had one!"
He shook his head and laughed too, a deep rumble that warmed me from the inside out.
"I like your laugh." My cheeks heated and I glanced down at my hands, a little embarrassed to have admitted it.
"I like your laugh too," Rawklix whispered softly.
I glanced at him and smiled.
"I like a lot of things about you, if I am honest," he commented, his finger tracing the curve of my face. "I like the way your eyes sparkle with hints of gold, I like the curve of your cheek, the little dimple that rests just here, I like the way you make me think, and the brilliance of your mind," his words were soft and his gaze never left mine, "I like the way you fit in my arms, and I am very much falling in love with you already."
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nbsp; I swallowed and bit my lip, my heart doing little flips in my chest. My breath stuttered and I leaned in and kissed him. His lips were soft against mine and he tasted so good, I couldn't get enough. His arms moves around me, crushing me to him. We spent the next little while just explore each other's lips and when Colonel Weiss knocked on the door, I was panting hard.
"Come in," I said, keeping my gaze on Rawklix.
"Mr. Planter, you do not wish to be late," he reminded us of the time.
With a sigh, I rose from Rawklix's lap and he stood.
"Thank you, Colonel Weiss." He looked down at me, regret at having to leave in his eyes. "Until next time, my sweet Princess," he murmured and then, with a finger under my chin kissed me softly for just a moment.
He started toward the door and I realized he hadn't taken the jar of sand. "Wait, you must take this with you." I closed the lid, feeling sad about letting it go, and then lifted it and held it out to him. "It's ready to go," I commented, but when he got closer, I explained, "If Mother were to find it, all would be lost."
He nodded. "I shall keep it safe for you. One day soon you will be able to enjoy it again." He gave me a sad look and then followed Colonel Weiss back out of the door.
Chapter 11
Rawklix
Over the next several weeks, I managed to visit Laura five more times. Our time together was never long enough. I'd brought her several gifts, though I'd had to bring them all home with me when I left. I kept them for her here in the palace for her to enjoy once I finally talked her into coming away with me.
My heart was seriously engaged with her. I'd never felt about anyone the way I felt about her. I carefully selected gifts I thought she'd like. The first of course had been the flowers. I'd looked online for a way to keep them fresh, but not seeing that, I found other options. Wanting to preserve them for her, I'd carefully pressed them between wax paper into a book. I thought having these would be a good reminder of our first meeting. On our second meeting, I'd brought her a small jar of sand from Trilyn. The way her face had lit up as she flittered her fingers through the grains was a memory I would always treasure.
For our third meeting, I'd chosen a pair of earrings made from gems mined on Trilyn. They were like rubies swirled with fire in their center. She had happily put them on and wore them while we'd enjoyed an hour playing chess, drinking the Gala fruit wine I'd also brought, and talking about the different book series she'd recommended to me.
For our fourth date, I'd brought the earrings again as well as a pendant necklace to match the earrings. She had dressed in another of the flowing dresses that she'd worn on our second date and I had admired her beauty even more. She was a delicate flower with the brilliance of the brightest sun. Parting from her had become more difficult each time Colonel Weiss had come to remind us of the time.
On our last meeting, I'd brought her a foot tall glass dragon, made of blown Trilyn glass that I'd had created just for her because I knew how much she enjoyed dragons. This one was green with a lighter glass body and darker scales down its back. It stood on its hind legs, with its fore legs outstretched as if in a hug. The artist had given it a long tail that curved around and broad wings, as well as a benevolent expression with kind eyes. Laura had gushed over it as if it was the most precious gift she had ever received.
This time, I was bringing her a picnic lunch put together by Fellnix, as well as the three first editions of Poems by Emily Dickenson, who she had discovered online and had turned into one of her favorite poets. I was excited to share them with her as they had taken some time and expense to get.
Colonel Weiss knocked on her door and she opened it with a gleeful look. "Do come in, Mr. Planter," she said, a wide smile on her face.
As soon as I crossed the threshold into her room, she was in my arms. I chuckled. "Careful now, Fellnix went to a lot of trouble to make this for us, I'd hate to spill it all before you get a chance to taste it."
She laughed and moved backwards. She took the basket from my arm and set it down on her bed. The middle of the room had been cleared for our picnic and she'd spread out a red and white checkered cloth on the floor along with a few of her throw pillows for us to sit on.
"I can't help it, I missed you," she grinned, "but I don't want to ruin what Fellnix made, I have been looking forward to this for a week!"
I laughed. "First, I brought you something."
"Another gift?" She shook her head, her eyes sparkling. "You are spoiling me."
"I like spoiling you." I handed her the box. "Here, open it."
She took the box and sat down on the floor. I dropped down to sit next to her. Slowly she undid the wrapping paper, I swear she did it so slow just to tease me, but finally she got to the box and lifted the lid. As she gazed inside she gasped.
"Rawklix, how did you get these?"
I shrugged. "I found the owner and simply offered them triple what they'd paid for them at auction. They didn't want to part with them, but I threw in an all-expense paid round trip to the Seven Wonders of Mars and they were happy to give them up."
"Mars! People really want to go there?" she looked at me incredulous.
I grinned. "It seems so, only the wealthiest on your planet get the chance to go, seeing as your planet's space travel isn't as advanced as ours is yet. It's getting there, with Trilyn tech to help, but still it will be a good while before they reach our level of interstellar travel."
With wonder, she carefully lifted the first book from the box and gently opened it up. As she reverently turned the pages, I set up our lunch and then fed her delicate lips the decadent treats Fellnix had created from Trilyn foods, as she read to me some of her favorite poems she'd discovered held in the books. Her eyes lit with excitement as she tried each morsel of food. The sound of her voice was something I could listen to forever.
Colonel Weiss' knock upon the door came all to soon for the both of us.
"I wish you didn't have to leave."
I caressed her cheek. "I wish you would come away with me."
She bowed her head, pressing her cheek deeper into my palm. "You know why I can't."
"I do, but I promise you, one day I will talk you in to leaving with me," I replied with a smile and lifted her face. "May I kiss you goodbye?"
She smiled and lifted her face further. I brushed my lips across hers in a gentle caress. She stepped back and pressed the box of wrapped books into my hands. "Take good care of these?"
"I promise."
"And you'll email me again?" she asked softly.
"Always." Smiling, I picked up the repacked picnic basket and followed Colonel Weiss out of the door.
"Goodbye, Mr. Planter," she said as I walked down the stairs.
I looked over my shoulder at her and smiled. "Goodbye, Miss Morse."
When I returned home I added the books to the treasures in the curio I had bought to hold the things I'd gifted her. Every time I added to them, I took a picture and sent it to her via email. She had called me a romantic, but honestly, I never had been before, it was she who brought it out in me. And even though she continually refused to leave the Tower with me, I told her I would not give up.
I knew she was mine. And I didn't give up what was mine.
Chapter 12
Laura
I was starting to feel frustrated here in my tower. More like a prisoner than a daughter. It had been more than a week since I last saw Rawklix. I wanted to go out, to meet people, to see Rawklix and all the things he talked about. I wanted it more than anything. I read over the email he'd sent that morning again. It was a particular section that had me befuddled and wondering why I'd never even thought about it.
I can understand your mother wishing to keep you safe when you were a child, sweetheart, especially after already having been kidnapped, but you aren't a child any longer. You're an adult. You can vote in elections, get married, start your own family, and yet she still treats you as if you are a young child. Can she not provide you with a bodyguard so that
you can go out into the world? Even the United States President's children are allowed to have lives, to go out into the world and be their own person.
I'm sorry, I'm just… I miss you. More with every passing hour of every day.
"I miss you too," I murmured, as I read his argument over again. I decided he was right. I was an adult, and I should be allowed to make my own decisions! I determined that I would present this argument to Mother next time she came up to see me. She was away for the day, but due back early this evening.
While I waited, I tidied up my room, changing the sheets on my bed, dusting the furniture and sweeping the floor. I even cleaned my bathroom again, my least favorite chore, but one I willingly did to keep those snoops of Mother's out of my room. An hour later, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," I called.
"Hello, my dear, did you have a pleasant day?" Mother asked, walking into my room, her gaze taking in all my work. "It seems you've cleaned; it looks very nice."
"Thanks. Mother, sit down, please," I said, gesturing to the two seats at my small table. I wanted to present my case in a logical and grown up manner.
"All right, my dear girl," she answered, but gave me a curious look. "Is there something on your mind?"
I nodded. "Yes, there is." I took a breath. "Mother, as you know, I'm nineteen now, an adult. I know that you have always wanted to keep me safe, and when I was younger, I could understand it. Being secluded from others, locked away up here, safe from anyone wishing to do you and me harm. But now, I am fully cognizant of the dangers and as I said, I am a grown up now, and I thought maybe we could discuss my going out into the world a bit more. Maybe with a bodyguard?" As I spoke, Mother's face took on a less than friendly look.
