by Dale Furse
Deesc didn’t say anything about the previous night at breakfast, so Nell kept quiet too. She wasn’t going to be the one to bring it up.
They worked without any breaks worth mentioning all that day and the next, and the next; three full days without any success. By the end of the second day, Nell’s excitement at shape shifting had waned. She had tried everything from bugs to small birds and large, forest creatures and anything else Deesc had suggested.
The third morning, she asked, ‘Why don’t I try something inanimate?’
‘You can’t shape shift into inanimate objects.’ He took her hand and they flew down to the beach. A large dragon-like creature lifted its head high above the water and gazed at them.
‘Here, see that? You would see it something like the Loch Ness Monster, but we call them sea dragons in English, so try that.’
‘Why can’t I shift into non-living things if you can?’
‘I can’t,’ he said, smiling. ‘That is, not unless I’m in Eldorap form.’
Nell frowned. ‘They can, but we can’t?’
‘That’s right, now try the dragon.’
Nell stared at the dragon. It was beautiful with its slim, rainbow-coloured neck and iridescent-blue head with large, cupie doll eyes.
Wanting to be it, but giving up before trying, she said, ‘Not now, I need a break.’
***
Later that morning, Nell enjoyed strolling through a herd of ronks with Deesc. The creatures looked like extra large sheep except with long hair, not wool. The adults were twice as big as any bull Nell had seen. She liked that Deesc kept away from the larger animals and stayed closer to the calves. None of the animals looked mean, though, in fact they were cute. Too cute to eat, Nell thought. Deesc held her hand as they walked. She glanced at him, unable to believe he ate them.
***
That afternoon, Nell left Deesc to talk to Keela while she sat on the edge of the cliff, staring out to the sea. She wondered if she should give up her training. Time was passing and her father needed her. So did Kandar. Mekie, Sam nor Kale had heard anything, and if Dar-Seldra, Tanat or Lesel had, they never said anything when they talked to Nell. From what any of them told her, the last contact with Orenda was two days ago. She had told them she and Ephry were going to Grarlon.
Nell rubbed her face. What if something had happened to all of them? Orenda couldn’t call for her. She didn’t even know where Nell was. If they were caught, her father might be in more danger.
Thinking about the people she loved made her feel silly about spending any more time training. Shape shifting would help, but if Deesc went to Grarlon with her, she might be able to rescue them without it. At least she could find out what happened to Orenda and the prince if she could get close enough. Deesc could help with that too. With that thought she jumped up and made her way back to the house.
Keela and Deesc stood on the lawn at the front of the house watching her. Ugh. Why was someone always watching her? Did they think she was going to throw herself off the cliff at her failure to become a true Wexkian? She couldn’t help a grin. If she did jump, her wings would explode from her back on pure instinct.
A relieved smile spread across Deesc’s face. Sighing, she trotted up to them.
‘I don’t think I will ever be able to shape shift. Maybe some Wexkians can’t.’
‘Don’t give up just yet, love. I am still searching for the thing that could help you, but in the meantime; Keela has an idea so we’re going to her house for the evening.’
Nell liked spending time at Keela’s house and could talk with and listen to her Eldorap friends for hours without ever getting bored. ‘Okay,’ she said. ‘But whatever your idea is, my friend, I’m pretty sure it won’t work.’
Keela smiled. ‘We’ll see.’ And left.
Deesc threw his arm around her shoulders, pulled her into his side and guided her into the house.
So he did feel something for her. She lent on him, taking in his aroma. She made a move to swing around the front and kiss him, but stopped and shrugged his arm off her shoulders.
‘Have I done something to upset you?’ he asked, still walking.
‘Oh, no. You haven’t done anything at all. In fact, you’ve made it clear the other night was a mistake. You didn’t even bother to acknowledge it happened.’
Smiling down at her, he said, ‘I thought you understood, Nell. While you’re training, you need to focus on your work, not on our burgeoning love.’
Burgeoning love? She tried to sneer at the thought, but his smile got in the way. Ugh. She wished he didn’t make her feel like she was a kid with her first crush. She swallowed. For the last three days, he had acted as if that kiss never happened. ‘Is that what you call it?’ she said, keeping her voice even and emotionless.
‘Yes. That is what I call it and if you are truthful, you know I’m right.’ He took her into his arms and kissed her forehead, nose and lingered on her mouth.
Unable to stop herself, she pressed her body to his and returned the kiss. Sensations she didn’t have a name for raced through her body. A moan gurgled in the bottom of her throat. She didn’t care. She tried to get closer, tried to get into his skin.
Again, he drew back too soon. ‘See? I told you. Now go get ready for our evening.’
He smiled. Her heart faltered. Ugh. He could do anything he wanted with her and he knew it. ‘Okay.’ It was all she could say, before turning and hurrying into her room.
Thankfully, it was still early enough for her to take a long shower. She needed to clear her head. After using enough water to empty one of the water tanks behind her house at Cape Hollow, she was refreshed. It was good to be steady on her feet again.
She laughed aloud with delight. Deesc was as affected by their embrace as she was. He thought he hid it, but there was a slight pause, the smallest tremor to his voice when he spoke afterwards. Deesc was wrong. It was her thinking he didn’t care for her that had stopped her focusing on her training. Knowing how he felt made her want to try again and she hoped Keela’s idea would work. She smiled. She could pretend too. Aloof was now her other name.
She chose a dress with a long, split-sided purple skirt and tight weaved top in the style that she hoped would one day suit all Wexkians. Keela had woven the dress for her out of ronk hair with a flick of her wrist.
The halter-top was bright orange with strands of purple woven through at regular intervals with back and front attached to the dropped waist of the skirt, leaving a gap wide enough for her wings to unfold behind her arms.
Checking herself in the mirror, she wondered if it wasn’t too revealing. The teardrop cut out in the bodice exposed more of her chest than she felt comfortable with. It wasn’t as if it was a large hole, but the way it followed the contours of her breasts made it seem like a gigantic chasm. Ugh. She was being stupid. It was nothing compared to the bikinis the girls wore to swim in the river when they visited Cape Hollow and anyway, Deesc’s other name was control and she felt it her duty to test that name to its limit.
She quickly pulled her growing curls back off her face with the clasp Dar-Seldra had given her for her last birthday. Another birthday soon, she thought as she checked her watch, which was still set on Queensland time. It was the twenty-fourth of December. Christmas Eve. How did the time go so fast? She was supposed to have her father and Kandar back home for Christmas.
She gazed up at the ceiling. ‘I’m sorry, Dad. I promise, you will be with me to for my eighteenth birthday,’ she whispered. That gave her eighteen full days. She hoped, with all her heart, she could keep that promise.
The breeze from the sea cooled her flushed face as she hurried into the sitting room. ‘Sorry I kept you waiting for so long,’ she said. She slowed her movements as she rounded the sofa where Deesc was sitting.
He looked up from his book. ‘Are you ready?’
‘Yes.’ She spun around full circle.
‘Very nice,’ he said, standing and moving close to her. ‘I like it and t
he woman in it.’
Heat rose in her cheeks. Where was the darn breeze when she needed it?
‘Thanks,’ she said, coughing the croak from her throat. I’m aloof. I’m aloof. ‘Keela made it for me.’
He eyed Nell from head to foot and back again. ‘Clever Keela.’
She rested her weight on one leg and put her hand on the opposite hip. ‘Is it too much?’
He gazed down at the bodice and the corners of his mouth quivered as if he was suppressing a smile. She smoothed the skirt down over her hips.
‘Don’t even think about changing,’ he said. ‘It isn’t too much. It is perfect so leave it where it is. Where it belongs. You don’t want to insult Keela, do you?’
That was the last thing she wanted. ‘Of course not.’ She wasn’t going to change anyway, but wasn’t about to tell him that. She turned to the door. ‘Let’s go before they think we’ve changed our minds.’
‘I want to stay.’
Deesc had whispered the words on a breath, but Nell heard them. She wasn’t sure if she’d heard him with her ears or in her mind. Either way, they were connected now—and forever.
Nell suppressed a smile, turned around and gazed back at him. If it were possible, his eyes would have consumed her at that moment. She couldn’t help her stomach falling into her pelvis, but she could give him her most shocked look. She widened her eyes and stared at him. Tightening her mouth, she hoped she looked affronted. He let out a small laugh. Had he seen right through her charade? Shape-shifting into Eldorap, he wrapped her arm around his and whisked her onto Haast and Keela’s front porch.
The door was open, and Haast called out, ‘Come into the dining room.’
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
SAM FOUND IT HARD TO KEEP HIS MIND on the book he was reading and watched Dar-Seldra walk into the sitting room. He still found it hard to believe she was Mekie’s mother. He hoped he had a long life to spend with Mekie. He would have en even longer one if he had Phib and/or Wintar blood running through his veins. He frowned. Surely a long life wasn’t too much to wish for. Suck it up, man. Being Human hadn’t stopped him pursuing his feelings for Mekie. He would just have to make the best of what time they did have together. He scrunched up his mouth. He hoped he aged well.
‘What’s wrong, Sam?’ Dar-Seldra said.
‘Oh, um…nothing. I…I was just thinking how long it’s been since I gave the box to Mum and I have to admit, I’m getting a bit over her not letting us tell Nell about it.’ It was partly true. He was way over his mum and if she didn’t say it was all right before sundown, he just might take matters into his own hands and call Nell anyway.
‘It hasn’t been that long, has it?’
‘It’s been over a week, Mother,’ Mekie said, as she sat regally beside Sam and held out her hand to him.
He wondered how he missed her entering the room and took the proffered hand gladly. He loved the way she was. She definitely wasn’t shy and once he’d made it plain how he felt about her, she wasn’t reticent about letting him know she expected him not to hide their relationship. He found that hard at first, especially when other people were around, but he was getting used to it and he wouldn’t want her to change for anything.
With pleading eyes, Sam asked Dar-Seldra, ‘Could you speak to Mum? Please.’
‘Oh, yes. Please do, Mother.’
‘Why do want to tell her about the box so much? She can’t read the letter. The Corl translators said the letter wasn’t in Wexkian.’
Sam opened his mouth to speak, but Mekie cut in. ‘Because, we are sure Nell will understand the lines. We think she has the power to read any language.’
Dar-Seldra threw her arms up. ‘Daughter. You mustn’t expect too much of her. Nell could read Wexkian because she is Wexkian. This language is different.’ As if ending the conversation, she moved to the sideboard and opened one of the doors. ‘Where is that vase?’ She shut the door and went to the next and the next. ‘I know I put it in here somewhere.’
Mekie humphed.
Hoping to keep Mekie from saying anything else, Sam squeezed her hand and jumped up. He stood between mother and daughter. ‘We do understand that, Dar-Seldra, honestly we do, but we were sort of thinking that if Nell couldn’t read the letter, maybe Deesc could.’
She stopped opening doors.
Sam smiled.
At least five seconds passed before she rose and faced Sam. ‘I hadn’t thought of that. Perhaps it is time for Nell to come home. The United Council still haven’t found a way to free Dar-tern or Kandar.’
‘That’s right and she’d want to speak to them for sure. Now that everything’s nearly all sorted for your ceremony, you must be worried sick that Dar-tern won’t be here by then.’ He hoped he hadn’t laid it on too thick.
Her expression said that he had. ‘We will not have the ceremony until my brother and Kandar return.’
‘Oh,’ Sam said. Blast. He had blown it.
Mekie was at his side in an instant. ‘She can’t,’ she said. ‘All close family members must witness the partnership.’
Sam thought about Nell’s parents. No one knew of their partnering. ‘Does that go for Wintars too?’
‘No,’ said Dar-Seldra. ‘Which is why no one knew of Dar-tern and Asisa’s partnering.’ She held her hand up to stop either Sam or Mekie speaking. ‘Although we will wait for our loved ones to return, I agree that Nell should come home. I will speak with Annet in the morning.’
Early the next morning Sam rapped on Mekie’s door. Dar-Seldra and his parents always left before he got up. ‘Mekie,’ he yelled, still knocking. ‘Hurry up. They’ll all be gone soon.’
‘Stop that noise.’ Mekie called from the other side of the door. ‘I’m coming.’
Sam paced the hallway for what seemed like forever before the door opened.
Mekie wore a frown of annoyance. ‘Why couldn’t you just wait in the garden hall like we said last night?’
‘I did for ages, but you never showed. I thought you might have slept in.’
‘Even if I did, I would have been there on time. You were just early as usual.’ She tipped forward on her toes and kissed him on the lips. ‘Let’s go.’
Huh. How could he fight with that? He shook his head as they turned into the garden hall that led to the sitting room. He’d never have a chance of winning an argument if she kept that up.
They found Dar-Seldra alone in the kitchen.
‘Aren’t Annet and Carl up yet?’ Mekie asked.
‘Yes,’ said Dar-Seldra. ‘They have left for the day.’
‘Did you talk to them? What did they say?’ Sam said.
Dar-Seldra nodded her head. ‘I did. Annet still won’t agree. She said she would think about it for a few days. She acts as though she doesn’t want Nell to come back and I think it is because she knows Nell will decide to take freeing her father into her own hands.’ Eyeing Sam, she added. ‘Your mother loves Nell as she loves you.’
‘Yeah, I know. I love Nell too, but I think she has a right to know what’s happening here and with her father.’ He managed a small smile. ‘It’s okay. Thanks for trying anyway.’
Dar-Seldra picked up her carryall. ‘I will see you two later.’ She opened the front door and turned, saying, ‘Oh, and Kale communicated. He will be over shortly.’
Sam nodded as she left. ‘I guess we can wait for a few days then.’ Mekie didn't say anything. ‘Mek, did you hear me?’
‘Huh? Oh, I'm sorry. I was thinking about something else. What did you say?’
‘It doesn't matter. What were you thinking about?’
‘I was just wondering where Carl and Annet go all the time and why Mother has to work so much. Tish is always going out too. We and Kale are always left on our own.’
Sam laughed. ‘I guess they figure we’re old enough to take care of ourselves. Anyway I like it that way and I like that your mother trusts me with you.’ He sat beside her and took her into his arms. ‘Even though I don’t trust myself sometimes.�
��
Mekie snuggled close and rested her head on his chest. ‘It isn’t you she trusts, it’s me. Complete intimacy is forbidden until partnering.’
‘How would she know?’
Lifting her head and screwing up her nose, she said, ‘Oh, she would know. Everyone would know.’
‘What do you mean by that?’
‘I mean, my love, they will know because I will be with child.’
Sam frowned. ‘There are ways around that.’
‘For Humans perhaps, but not Phibs. Every female conceives the first time they are intimate with a male. Don’t ask how or why. It just is and that’s that.’
‘Kaboom! There goes everything I learned in sex education class. Maybe I should take some here.’
‘That’s a good idea,’ Mekie said matter-of-factly. ‘So you see? That risk is why they are all right with us being alone so much. Do you know where your parents go?’
‘Yeah. They spend all their time with Mum’s cousin.’
‘You sound sure of that. However, I’m not so certain of Mother’s whereabouts. She has never worked such long hours before. There are other physicians. And we never see Tanat anymore.’
Walking to the sideboard, Sam picked up a communicator. ‘All right. Let’s call them and find out.’ He pressed Dar-Seldra’s call button. No answer. ‘She’s probably in surgery.’ He pressed his father’s button. No answer. His mother’s. The same. And Tanat’s. Same. All the same. How could not one of his parents or friends be in reach?
‘I had a feeling their communicators would be turned off,’ Mekie said.
‘Whose communicators,’ Kale said from the doorway. ‘Mine is on.’
‘Hey, mate,’ Sam said. ‘We didn’t see you there.’
Mekie rose. ‘Good morning, Kale. Do you know where Tish is?’
‘Yes. She is visiting a friend.’
‘Call her,’ Sam said.
Kale withdrew his communicator from his belt, pressed a button and waited. He shrugged his shoulders. ‘She must be busy.’
