Berta's Choice (The Soul-Linked Saga)

by Phillips, Laura Jo

  “He says there are still a few internal things that need to be touched up,” Berta said. “I don’t mind. At first the sessions were draining and difficult, but I’m used to them now. Or maybe just stronger now.”

  “So you haven’t contacted the Falcorans because you’re too busy?” Hope asked as she turned onto the gravel road that would lead them to Arima House about a mile away. “I know that you had reasons for sending them away that had nothing to do with age, but I thought that age was the largest factor.”

  “It was a big factor,” Berta said. “But it wasn’t the largest factor by any means. Unfortunately, as talented as Jareth is, there are some things that cannot be healed so quickly.”

  “Like scars?” Hope asked hesitantly. It was something she’d never asked Berta about, but it was impossible not to notice that the woman always wore long sleeves, regardless of the weather.

  “Scars aren’t the only things that can’t be healed,” Berta said.

  Hope nodded in understanding. Clearly she was concerned about matters that went far deeper than scars. “Berta, I want to say only one thing to you.”

  “What’s that, Hope?”

  “You were forced to spend the past sixty years of your life alone,” Hope said. “Now that your body is young again, you may easily live another sixty years. Will you now choose to allow history to repeat itself?”

  Berta looked at Hope in surprise. After a moment she shook her head and sighed. “I’ve been struggling a lot with choices lately,” she admitted. “Even so, I have to confess that I hadn’t really thought of my future in that way.”

  Hope reached over and patted Berta’s hand. “I know you hadn’t,” she said. “But I think you should.”

  Berta raised one hand to finger the sapphire earring holding the tiny disk that the Falcorans had given her. She never took them off except to clean them, and had developed a habit of touching them often that she was scarcely aware of.

  “You don’t think they’ve already been told?” she asked.

  “You swore us all to secrecy,” Hope reminded her. “Myself, the Bearens, Talinka, Jareth, even the Dracon princes. Only the builders have seen you, and they have never been told your name, as you well know. Unless you think one of us has broken our word, then no, I don’t think anyone has told them.”

  “Of course I don’t think that,” Berta replied. “I know better. But there are a lot of people coming and going here with the airfield and the garrison. It’s not far fetched to think that someone else has seen, and understood what they saw.”

  “Of course, you’re right,” Hope said as she turned into the drive before Arima house. “However, I think that if the Falcorans had knowledge of it, they would already be here.”

  Berta nodded. She thought so too. The real question was, did she want to wait until someone else told them, or did she want to tell them herself?

  Hope parked the ground-car and they got out and walked toward the small gate that opened into a large garden that wrapped around the house.

  “It’s beautiful, Berta,” Hope said. “Very beautiful.”

  Berta gazed at the garden that Pater, the Dracons’ gardener, had designed and planted for them, then looked up at the pretty house. It had been a very busy couple of months for her, but she’d loved every minute of it. She’d been involved in every aspect of the creation of Arima House from choosing the location, designing the structure, approving the colors, carpets and fixtures, and setting the rules, though without Talinka’s help, and Hope’s, she would have been lost. Never had she had so much responsibility, so much power, so many things to do every single day. She had thrived on it, and now that it was nearly done, she’d begun to worry that she’d be bored with nothing more to do but run it.

  Talinka opened the front door and stepped out of the house to greet them As soon as she neared Berta, she read her emotions and sought to soothe her. “Don’t worry, Berta, running this place is going to keep you busier than you think.”

  “Good,” Berta said. “I like busy. The busier the better.”

  “That’s good, because as of this morning, there are thirty-six women on the list for Arima House.”

  “Thirty-six?” Berta exclaimed in surprise. “But the house only holds eight at a time.”

  “I know, my dear,” Talinka said. “That’s why we use a waiting list.”

  “I didn’t realize there were that many women who’ve been tested, let alone that many who came up positive,” Berta said.

  “Ever since we received the message from the Gryphons regarding the Controller’s effect on Arimas, many of the women the Katres have freed from the slave compounds have been placed in healing tanks and retested,” Talinka said. “Of those, all but a few have tested positive, and all of those want to find their male-sets.”

  “I know that the freed women who’d been sent back to Earth want to return to Jasan,” Berta said. “That’s why the Gryphons were asked to take the Kontuan to Earth before they returned from their trip to Rathira. But I had no idea that all of the women tested had been found positive, or that they all want to return here.”

  “Yes, all of them,” Talinka said.

  “I don’t understand,” Berta said. “These are all women who were kidnapped, correct?”

  “Yes,” Talinka said. “It is most interesting that none of those women had the Prime Controller. It tells us that whatever method the Xanti use to identify berezi is not foolproof.”

  “That is interesting,” Berta agreed. “But I don’t understand why they want to come back here and be Arimas after what they’ve been through.”

  “They couldn’t adjust to regular life after their experiences, and hope that being an Arima will be the answer to whatever it is they are looking for,” Talinka said.

  “They don’t remember anything about their captivity, do they?” Berta asked.

  “They didn’t at first, no,” Talinka said. “Initially it was thought that the Controller blocked everything and that they would never remember what had been done to them. But, after a time, the women began to have nightmares. Eventually, they gained full conscious awareness of what had been done to them.”

  “That’s too bad,” Berta said. “It would have been better for them if they hadn’t remembered.”

  “Do you think so?” Talinka asked. “I’m not so sure. I met some of those women and, for most of them, the blank spots in their minds were more horrifying than the truth.”

  Berta frowned. She hadn’t thought about it that way before. “I still don’t know why they would choose to....” Berta trailed off uncertainly. Being an Arima was not a bad thing. Far from it. Hope, Lariah, Saige, Summer, even Aisling, seemed to be very happy. And why not? Their men adored them completely, and she had no doubt that they loved their men in return. None of them were stifled or controlled. Rather, they had, all of them, blossomed since becoming Arimas.

  “Excuse me, but I am here to meet with the Princess, and I am in sore need of rest and refreshment,” Sergio said petulantly as he approached them.

  Berta turned and rolled her eyes at him. She thought him ridiculous, and had no idea why Lariah had chosen him to decorate the new nursery that had just been added onto the Dracons’ home. Of course, she admitted to herself, she’d never seen anything of the man’s work. Anyway, Princess Lariah had requested his services months ago, and he’d sent a message agreeing. Now, here he was, two months later than expected.

  “Princess Lariah has only just given birth,” Berta said. “Until she is ready to meet with you, we have another project you can help us with.”

  “I was asked here to work for the Princess,” Sergio said. “I am not available for other projects.”

  “Very well then,” Berta said easily. “We’ll take you back to the garrison and you can find a ride to the spaceport. From there you can return to wherever you came from.”

  “You can’t send me away,” Sergio said haughtily. “I am here at the invitation of the Princess herself.”


  Berta sighed and reached up to tap her vox. A few moments later Prince Trey spoke into her ear. “Princess Lariah’s decorator is here,” she said. “He refuses to help with Arima House, and has also indicated that he will not leave without seeing Lariah.”

  Berta smiled as she tapped the vox again. Before she lowered her hand Trey appeared beside her. “Is this the man?” he asked, looking at Sergio with surprise and distaste.

  “Yes, Prince Trey,” Berta replied. “I’m not sure what to do with him.”

  “You are Sergio Farnswaite?” Trey asked the man. “The decorator?”

  “Yes, Highness, I am,” Sergio said with a bow. “I am most honored to make your acquaintance. I understand congratulations are in order.”

  Trey scented the man’s nervousness and wondered at it. “Thank you, Mr. Farnswaite,” he said, silently hoping that the man decorated better than he dressed. “It will be a few days before Princess Lariah is able to work with you. I understand you have no desire to assist us with another project in the meantime, so I must insist that you leave the ranch now. We keep a tight rein on security here, as I’m sure you can understand.”

  “What is this project that you wish me to assist with?” Sergio asked, realizing that if he didn’t back down, fast, he’d be off the ranch before he’d unpacked a single suitcase. And that could not happen.

  “Our new Arima House is complete,” Berta said. “We need only to furnish it, but we have only nine days to do it in. The tele-fabricator in Badia is standing by, waiting for our order, so we must get busy at once.”

  “You expect me to decorate an entire home in just over a week?” Sergio asked.

  “No,” Berta replied. “I expect you to assist us with the selection of furniture, draperies, linens and art in two days. The tele-fabricators have promised to give our order priority and complete it within five days. That allows us two days for delivery and set up. We also have eight Rami Houses which may need some finishing touches, though they are furnished.”

  “That’s impossible,” Sergio said. “I design unique ambient spaces that harmonize and enhance the totality of the human experience. You cannot expect me to complete such a task in such a brief period of time.”

  “We are not asking you to create an ambient space,” Trey said, losing patience with the man. “We ask your assistance and expertise in the selection of furnishings, as Miss Simms has made perfectly clear.”

  “We must get started,” Berta said, giving up on the decorator. “We have little time, and it will surely take us longer without expert help. Prince Trey, if you would please call someone to take Sergio back to the garrison, I would be most appreciative.”

  “Of course, Miss Simms,” Trey replied with a nod.

  “No, no, that’s not necessary,” Sergio said quickly. “If you are in need of my assistance, I will not, of course, refuse. I am only a bit shocked at the short time frame is all.”

  “Well, get over it,” Berta said. “We need help, and we certainly don’t have time to complain about how little time there is.”

  Sergio narrowed his eyes at Berta, but his lips stretched into a smile and he nodded his head solemnly. “Of course, Miss Simms,” he said. “Let us begin.”

  Chapter 7

  Merrick, Tor and Jerri landed on the lawn before the Council Complex and transformed from falcoran to humanoid form. They’d been cooped up inside the building all day long, every day, for nearly three months. The only break they took each day was for lunch, which they usually spent flying off excess energy, as they had just done.

  “How much longer are we going to have to do this?” Jerri asked.

  “For as long as it takes,” Merrick replied patiently.

  “Don’t get me wrong,” Jerri said with a sigh. “I’m willing to do whatever we must for our Arima. Honest I am. I just hate sitting behind a desk all day long.”

  “I know,” Merrick said. “We all hate it. But we need to remain on Jasan, and we must make use of ourselves while we wait.”

  “Hold on,” Tor said, reaching for the hand terminal sealed in a protective pocket at his waist. He put his hand on it, then hesitated, looking at Merrick, then Jerri, before slipping it out and raising it to his eyes.

  “It’s from Berta, isn’t it?” Jerri asked.

  “Yes,” Tor replied. “I set a special vibrating alarm for any message coming in with her name on it.”

  “Well, hurry up and read it,” Merrick exclaimed impatiently.

  Tor opened the message and read aloud.

  Merrick, Tor, and Jerri,

  I am sorry that I have not communicated with you these past weeks. Many changes have taken place very quickly, and I am only now beginning to understand the full implications of some of them. I appreciate your patience, and your willingness to give me time to sort things out. I understand as well as any woman can how difficult it must be for you. I do not want you to think that your sacrifice has gone unnoticed.

  Arima House is complete now. The first group of eight berezi arrived today. Their pheromone samples have been taken and sent off to the Hidden City where they will be released for display. The women will have tomorrow to settle in while every male-set on Jasan attempts to determine whether any of the first eight are their Arima. The following day will be the first day that male-sets are allowed to visit Arima House.

  I confess that I’m nervous to be in charge of all of this, but I am also excited by it. I cannot tell you how many times small groups of abducted women were brought to me in my desert prison. I tried to ease their fears as much as I could under the circumstances, but always I knew that if they were found to be berezi, their fate would be the same as mine.

  Now, it is so different. I am to supervise a beautiful new house with every possible comfort. It will be filled with women who are berezi, and who choose of their own free will to stay here in an effort to find their Rami. At no time do they relinquish their freedoms, or their rights. Yes, it is different. Wondrously so. Unfortunately, my life to now has not offered me much experience with change. An omission I am quickly learning to correct.

  Now to the true reason for this missive.

  I find that I think of the three of you incessantly. I wonder how you are, if you are happy, sad, well, or ill. I lay awake at night wishing I had the nerve to vox one of you and speak to you, but I don’t. You see, there is something that I must tell the three of you, but it must be told in person. At the same time, if I did vox you, I know very well that I would not be able to refrain from mentioning it. I also realize that if I do not reveal my secret to you before the first male-sets visit Arima House, it is quite likely that you will learn it from another, and I do not want that.

  Therefore, I ask that you come to see me as soon as you can. It is not an emergency, of course, so please do not put off anything important. I would appreciate knowing when you expect to arrive. If you are unable to come, please let me know that as well.

  Tor looked up when he was finished reading and for a long moment the three of them just stared at each other. Merrick blinked, hardly able to credit what he’d just heard. They had not expected to hear from Berta for many months yet, if ever.

  “Tor, reply to her at once and tell her that we are on our way,” Merrick said. “Jerri, run back inside and inform Elder Vulpiran that our Arima has requested our presence, and that we will be taking an immediate leave of absence. I will vox the Bearens and ask that we be allowed a guest house for our visit.”

  By the time he was finished speaking Jerri was already gone and Tor was nearly finished with his response to Berta. Moments later Merrick ended his call with Clark Bearen and Jerri rejoined them. “Clark said we are welcome to use the Katres’ house again,” Merrick said. “Berta already asked for it on our behalf.”

  “That’s encouraging,” Tor said.

  “Yes, it is,” Merrick said. “I can’t help but wonder what her secret is though.”

  “Maybe she’s decided to give us a chance to get to know her after all,” Je
rri suggested.

  “Perhaps,” Merrick replied. “I want to warn you both, and myself, not to get our hopes up. But I’m afraid it’s too late for that.”

  “Yes, it is,” Jerri said. “Elder Vulpiran wishes us luck, and has offered us the use of the Council transport. He’s already voxed the airfield.”

  “Then let’s go,” Merrick said. He turned around, took two running steps and leapt into the sky, his black wings beating the air before he was fully off the ground. Tor jammed the hand terminal back into its protective pocket and sealed it before leaping after Merrick, Jerri one step behind him. It would take half the night for them to reach the ranch by transport. Far too long, but it would have to do.

  Chapter 8

  The sun was just peaking up over the horizon when Berta awoke the next morning. The first thing she thought of when she opened her eyes was the Falcorans. Had they received her message yet? What would they think of it? Were they angry with her for not communicating with them sooner? Would they want to come all the way back across the planet just to see her?

  She sighed and sat up, trying to push the Falcorans from her mind. She had so many other things to think about. Yesterday the first eight berezi had arrived and been assigned rooms, then left alone to settle in and explore their temporary new home. The only official activity of the day had been the taking of pheromone samples.

  Today was the first day that Arima House was officially open, so Berta would go over the house schedule for meals and curfew, as well as the rules that Talinka and the Dracons had helped her to draw up. She also planned to take the first steps in getting to know each of the women. She was looking forward to that very much.

  The pheromone samples had been taken to the Hidden City the day before and, with the time difference, they would not go on display until around three o’clock in the afternoon, local time. Unlike Bride House, there was no list of suitors waiting for the chance to come and meet potential mates. Arima House was for berezi only, women who were known to be destined Arimas. Only those male-sets who tested the pheromone samples in the Hidden City, and whose mating fangs extended as a result, would be allowed to visit. The purpose of Arima House was to provide a safe place for berezi to live while getting to know their Rami. They would be allowed to stay in Arima House until they were ready to accept their Rami, or until they decided against them and returned to their home world.