Grace Viola - GIFT OF WYORA

Gift of Wyora: Rune Dagaz

By

Viola Grace

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Meaning of the Rune Dagaz Magically this rune can be used to invoke a realization, a fresh start, an awakening of the senses or greater understanding of the totality of existence. Dagaz may be used to summon clarity or to reveal the hidden motivations and actions of an enemy. It may further be invoked to set aside past bad blood and begin with a clean slate. In divination it is the rune of polarization, of sunlight and good fortune and can be represented in any of the following forces: DAGAZ UPRIGHT: Day, dawn, breakthrough, awakening, awareness, daylight clarity, transformation, hope, happiness, the ideal, security and certainty, growth, balance point, the place where opposites meet. DAGAZ MERKSTAVE (Dagaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Darkness, night, confusion, ending, limit, coming full circle, blindness, uncertainty, misfortune, hopelessness.

Gift of Wyora

Prologue

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he scrape of metal on metal rang in Theo’s ears as she docked with the silent luxury shuttle. She hated boarding ships that had been raided. The echoes of death would ring in her mind for months. Finally the seals inside her small ship fastened and the lights went green. With her own PPE in place she moved through the doors and carefully sealed them behind her. She had been caught with more than one ruptured field in her day. The briefing that she had received had indicated that all of the crew had made it off the ship in pods with the only exception being the two guests who were traveling—a lady and her maid. It had apparently been beneath the lady’s dignity to climb into a crowded pod to wait for transport, even though her maid had been weeping with panic. It had broken the captain’s heart to leave the sobbing woman behind, but she was bound to her lady. If the lady wouldn’t leave, 1

Viola Grace the maid couldn’t leave. With the goal of finding two survivors in her mind she moved into the ship. The emergency lighting was still on. There was no sign of Raider boarding and she reported it in to her mothership, the Onedai. Every five minutes she reported her lack of findings. The ship was empty of sensations. The excitement of the evacuation faded with the ensuing hours. There. A trace of fear. She reported in and followed the acrid mental aroma of fear. As she got closer to the center of the emotion, anger and hatred from another source changed the flavor. Theo paused for a moment. The door just ahead and to the left was the source of the maelstrom. The anger and hatred were fading, but the fear remained strong. She had no guesses as to what she was about to find behind that door, but there was only one way to find out. She kept her hands open and at her waist as she stepped into the opening doorway. One body was on the ground, the fading emotions now had a source. Fear was still crouched behind an over-turned cabinet. She approached fear calmly. “My name is Theodora Dawson. I am a seeker with Search and Rescue on the Onedai. I am here to help you.” The young woman who could not have been much above twenty, slowly got to her feet. “You 2

Gift of Wyora are a psi? You have talents?” “Yes. It is how I found you.” She approached and kept her voice calm. She was almost close enough to trank her prey when she felt something strike her mental shields. It hit her again, hard. Over and over she was battered until she felt the shrieking fear overwhelm her and as she blacked out her final thought was that some days on the job were just tougher than others.

3

Viola Grace

Chapter One

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heo shuddered. She could feel each slide of skin, each stroke, each caress as if it was on her own body. Norsa was at it again. In the two years since they had linked and arrived on Kaia Renal to further Norsa’s education, she had been out to seduce every other student, guard and bodyguard within the priory. Male or female. It didn’t matter. Today she was writhing in the arms of the bodyguard of a Selna princess. Based on the flares of forbidden heat, the princess was watching. Theo sat on her meditation rock and tried to cool her mind down. Her flesh was all goose bumps, her nipples tight and her crotch embarrassingly damp. She wished that there was a way for Norsa to block off her mind, but her charge said that there wasn’t. For some reason, her own mental training had deserted her the instant she linked to Norsa. 4

Gift of Wyora Theo occasionally was confused about her mental state, she was sure that she was supposed to be more competent in the psychic arena, yet she couldn’t manage to keep her focus. Every time she tried to ask Norsa about the link, her charge distracted her with something trivial. It was only at moments like this, when she was alone in the silence with Norsa occupied elsewhere that she could try to get in touch with her talent. The cheerful burble of the stream through the meditation garden soothed her, relaxed her and enabled her to focus on nothing more than the traffic of water across the stones. There were seven others in the garden, each in solitude all their own—a personal focus chosen and used to bring serenity to those who sought it. The writhing bodies in her mind moved further and further away as Theo concentrated on the meditation methods taught to her by the priests. Kaia Renal was known for its higher education of nobles and their offspring. The priests specialized in training races with psychic powers and a need for trade negotiators. True Negotiators were not an option for those races. They could not remain sane while trapped in the armor and wired to the reference computers. Father Balnik had taken to Theo the instant that she arrived. He had assisted her in her lessons and separated her from Norsa at every opportunity. It 5

Viola Grace had preserved her sanity and earned him her undying devotion. Endless hours of training had enabled her to almost tune out Norsa’s constant fornicating, it was now only a whisper in her mind. The sun marched slowly overhead and it was only when a priest gently touched her arm that Theo pulled her mind back to her body and looked up expectantly. “Yes, Brother?” The wing-like sleeves of his robes swung as he folded his hands together.“There is a shuttle landing and they require you and the Lady Norsa to meet in the Father Balnik’s quarters.” With a groan she got to her feet, “Have you alerted the Lady?” “She is…occupied.” Something fascinating must have been on his feet, he refused to look up. “She hasn’t left her quarters?” “No.” “And she is still entertaining?” “Yes.” A heavy sigh rang out in the garden. She startled several of the others out of their reveries and bowed an apology. With her mind calm and at peace she sent a warning to Norsa that she was on her way. It took remarkably little effort to get her charge cleaned up, dressed and ready for the visitor. As the shuttle came in for a landing Norsa was 6

Gift of Wyora overtaken by a frenzied energy, fueled by anticipation of home. As the hum of the engines died down Norsa darted out of her quarters and was on her way to the Father’s quarters. She left the dorms and was on the green in moments. “Norsa, come back here you little jerk!” Theo pelted after her charge across the main bailey and into the castle proper, the main halls and meeting spaces. Noticing her audience, she controlled her physical self and slammed Norsa with all of her irritation and confusion. The girl stopped midsprint and turned to her link as Theo grew close enough to speak to. “An envoy from my home world has landed. I am sorry that I ran off without explaining Theo.” Genuine remorse tinted by amusement flowed across the link, followed shortly by excitement at the thought of news from home. “Fine, I understand. But as your link and bodyguard I do think it necessary for you to tell me before you go running through the temple, okay?” The human phrase slipped into her Alliance language, but Norsa had been with her long enough to reply “Okay.” Then she grabbed Theo’s hand and hauled her through the archways, past the priests and mentats that had gathered to watch their altercation. They usually made enough psychic noise to 7

Viola Grace wake the dead. Running through the halls of pale blue stone Theo wondered why an envoy from Wyora would have not just sent a message to her charge as they had in the past. The priests at the Liubai temple of Kaia Renal did not like those from the outside world intruding on their instruction. Reaching the High Priest’s audience chamber, Norsa turned to Theo and began to straighten her ship suit. She returned the favor by tidying the buttons on Norsa’s dress, which she had obviously donned in a hurry. She also adjusted her necklace which had twisted to lie down her neck and not her back. In the last two years at Norsa’s side, they had often engaged in just such simple grooming sessions. As soon as they were both in order, Norsa knocked on the door. With the anticipation that was rippling through Norsa, Theo was hard-pressed to keep a solemn face. When there was no response Theo raised her hand to knock. She had just begun her downward swing when the door moved from under her fist and strong warm fingers grasped hers to stop her from striking him. She raised her startled gaze to their owner. He was Wyoran in every definition of the species. The slitted pupils in amber eyes, his hair a thick burgundy cape down his back and the midnight blood of his skin was set off by the silver 8

Gift of Wyora threads in his tunic. In true Wyoran fashion, the black and red of his skin was actually coated with a nap of fur, like velvet. Rubbing that fur the wrong way was a sure way to wake Norsa. The tunic looked like it was having trouble confining the planes of his chest and Theo wondered how much stress it would take to rip it wide open. She was willing to try. The sudden surge of hormones made her look at Norsa accusingly then flush bright pink as she realised that the urge to strip and straddle him was all hers. She shook herself out of her lustful thoughts and tried to get her hand back, “Oh, please excuse me. I thought no one was going to answer the door.” It seemed to Theo that he held her hand for a few moments longer than was necessary, but he let her go. “Lord Altius, it is a pleasure to see you again. Quite an honour.” Norsa had her Guild manners in overdrive. “Theo, this is Lord Altius Nywyn, my uncle’s head of security. Lord Altius, this is Theodora Dawson of the Alliance Protectorate or Terra, and my link for the last two years.” Altius inclined his head in a short bow to Theo then made a formal bow to Norsa. “It is an honour to meet you Theodora Dawson, but now I must engage in more pressing matters. If you will both step inside?” He opened the door fully and gestured them into the High Priest’s chambers. The High Priest was no where to be seen. 9

Viola Grace “Where is Father Balnik? He never leaves the room when there are visitors to the sanctum.” Norsa expressed the curiosity that was flying both ways across the link. “I have requested a moment alone with you and he has gone to prepare some documents for the Guild palace. So, if your companion will not mind waiting outside, we can begin.” Altius nodded at Theodora and began to look impatient when she refused to move. He tried again, “Please, I need to speak to Lady Norsa alone.” He watched her face carefully to see the effect that his humble plea was having on her. His sharply sculpted lips drew into a frown as she still did not move from her position behind Norsa. “In case it escaped your briefing, I am both her bodyguard and her link. I will watch over her until she is safely linked to another.” Theo waited calmly in the wave of disbelief that washed over his face. “Her link? You are not Wyoran, her link was Myla Tymth. How is it possible that your minds are linked?” His eyes brightened in his midnight face, his confusion evident. Norsa stepped forward and said the most mature thing that Theo had yet to hear out of her, “She is my link. She saved both my life and my sanity when they were in danger. I don’t know how, but my mind reached into the void when 10

Gift of Wyora Myla died, and Theo stepped in to catch me.” Her words were implacable. Theo’s mind tried to remember the day that she met Norsa, but pain and horror were the only things that ever surfaced. She shook her head to clear it, and spoke. “Let’s cut to the chase. Why are you here Lord Altius?” His brows rose over his impossibly gold eyes. Parts of her quivered and Norsa looked back at her sharply as the only hormonal reaction that she had had in two years ran through the link. He drew in a deep breath and reluctantly sank to his knees before Norsa. “It is with the deepest sadness that I tell you of your uncle’s demise, and it is my greatest honour to tell you that you are now the Import Guild Liason of Wyora. “Wow.” Theo blushed as Norsa shot her an irritated look, but through the link she felt the grief and fear of her young charge. Altius rose to his feet. “As you are aware, due to your change in circumstance you must return home immediately.” “You must be joking.” Her voice was charged with panic. Theo sent calm through the link. “No jokes, my lady. Your presence is required at home for the purpose of assuming your duties and attending to family obligations. We will depart immediately.” He looked distinctly uncomfortable, but he pressed on. “Father Balnik 11

Viola Grace has already seen to the transfer of your possessions and the shuttle is waiting to meet the Khandar. Let us be on our way Countess.” He held his arm out to Norsa and began to lead the stunned young woman out of the priest’s chamber. He stopped and turned to Theo. “As the link to the Countess Norsa you will be required to accompany us. You possessions will have been shifted to the shuttle as well. Any objections?” “Will the Alliance be notified of the change in my location?” “We will see to it en route if Father Balnik has not already. The Khandar is an Alliance vessel and it will not be difficult to send the message to your department’s dispatch area.” “Then by all means, let’s proceed.” She waved for them to continue through the now opened door and followed them at a circumspect pace. She waved at the few friends that the priest had notified of her departure. Specifically brother Niko from the stables. He had helped her calm her mind in the face of Norsa’s sexual rampages, while the priests were off limits, the other students and their guards were not. Working with the animals was a wonderful distraction and Norsa would never enter the stable. The gleaming shuttle was dead center on the pad. Whomever was flying was a helluva pilot to drop it so precisely on the large inlaid ring. The 12

Gift of Wyora side of the shuttle swung open with a hiss and, as Altius took her hand to help her up the shuttle steps, Theo fought hard to keep the warm tingle that ran up her arm from running through the link. Norsa had no such restrictions. Her mind was sending waves of agitation, fury, confusion and curiosity at Theo and she was trying to calm her as best as she could. Altius sat off to one side as the women sat side by side. When they docked with the jump ship Theo’s day brightened considerably. She was greeted at the shuttle bay by a crewman who asked her if she would like to be escorted to the pilot’s room. “I’ll catch up with you Norsa.” And for the first time since they had linked, she left Norsa staring at her as an attentive male led her through the blue-grey halls. The irritation and jealousy that followed her almost made her laugh. At the door to the pilot’s room the crewman opened the lock and stepped aside. When Theo entered, the door was locked behind her and she was alone with the floating body in the wire harness. “Christy! How great to see you again…uh, can you speak in that thing?” Theo was fighting the urge to hug her friend from orientation, but the wires and straps she was in prevented it. She settled for touching the back of some fingers. “Nice to see you again Theo.” The voice issued 13

Viola Grace from speakers on either side of the harness. “When I heard that you had become a link I didn’t know what to think. From a pilot and medic to a bookend in the blink of an eye.” The mechanical voice managed to sound amused and concerned. “Aw, its not so bad when you come to grips with it. Just like an emotional radio playing in the background all the time.” She kept her voice matter-of-fact with some effort and manoeuvred her body until she was face to face with her old friend. “So, Christy, how well does flying through charted space pay? Do you meet a lot of cute guys on your runs?” “Ha! The pay is great, but most of the guys I run into are maintenance personnel. They are not exactly viable choices. Some have really nice hands though. I hear that Lord Altius isn’t too hard on the eyes. And he is lots of fun to spy on in the shower. I speak from experience.” “You peeping Tom! So, you have eyes all over the ship, do you? What is my other half up to right now?” Theo studiously avoided fantasizing over Altius in the shower. Now was not the time for her to be run over by rampaging hormones. “The Countess is sulking quietly in her quarters and frantically trying to come up with a way to avoid her fiancé. Her handwriting is very bad, but she does seem to be plotting something.” An image of Norsa flashed onto a view screen across 14

Gift of Wyora from Christy. She was scribbling furiously in a notebook, pausing and the scribbling some more. Their conversation turned to other activities that Christy was watching throughout the ship and giggling, the pilot began to flip the channels.

15

Viola Grace

Chapter Two

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o, Altius.” Theo stirred her tea. “You don’t seem too happy to be dragging Norsa home.” “I am not. But it is my last duty to her family, and then I am free of obligation.” He answered her frankly and she appreciated it. Tea with Altius was another of her small pleasures. When Christy was engaging in difficult manoeuvres or course corrections she didn’t want company. “What will you do then? You are too young to retire.” Theo was guessing, but he didn’t seem that old. “I will attend to my own lands and businesses, without the concerns of Norsa’s clan.” He pinned her with his amber gaze. “What will you do when she weds?” “Well, the link will be dissolved so I guess I will be going back to working on Alliance cruisers, doing medic and salvage work.” “That brings up a topic I have been wanting to 16

Gift of Wyora discuss with you. How did you end up as Norsa’s link? I hadn’t heard that any Terran had undergone the training.” “There is training for it? Wow, I wish someone had shared that tidbit before.” A small cookie met its demise in her mouth. She continued after she cleared out the crumbs. “Training may have helped me keep the horny little bugger out of my mind when she was feeling frisky.” The shock on his face could not have been more evident. “You mean she doesn’t shield her thoughts during intimate moments?” “Nope. In fact, I am pretty sure that she turns up the connection just so I get a full dose of her sensations.” His eyes flashed and seemed to burn through her. “That is outrageous. And you agreed to this?” “I did not have a choice.” She refilled her cup and fought for the calm that had come so easily at Kaia Renal. “When we linked something wedged my mind open. I have been unable to draw the connection closed for even a little while. All I can do is to mute the output of her thoughts and actions.” His appalled demeanour did not change, but softened slightly as he noted her distress. “I know what it is to be a link. I underwent the training to assist those who had not the ability or the control to keep themselves in check. It was hard work to 17

Viola Grace stem the overflow of thoughts enough to prevent madness.” Theo smiled and reached out to lay her hand on his. His own distress reached her heart and she felt she had to comfort him in his bad memory. “Is it a Wyoran trait, this inability to control their minds?” “Yes, I am afraid so. The majority of our population has a high degree of psychic talents. Those who need links have too much power to control without training. They need a strong mind to spill into until they can learn the necessary control. Those like Norsa do not respect the link that keeps their sanity. They use the link as a toy, a servant to abuse. I have linked with a few of those.” “How did you manage?” Her words carried all that was implied, how did he keep his sanity, and survive serving the selfish. “I had training before I began my first link. The pay that was offered was enough to buy my way into the lower rungs of society. The next link moved me up a rung, until finally I had enough money to keep my family in comfort and own my own land.” “You get paid for this?” Again he looked shocked, and then resigned. “Because of the sensitive and vital nature of the link, the average six month term will net you a 18

Gift of Wyora lower nobility in our world. The two years that you have endured will make your payout enough to buy a small house in the country to retire to if you wish. Or to purchase a small asteroid as an investment if you don’t.” “I haven’t thought that far ahead. Will Norsa set me free before her wedding?” “Yes, just before. She will link with her groom, and don’t think that her family hadn’t had to pay through the nose for that one. It is not normally part of the wedding ceremony. He has been in training for months for just that moment.” “I really hope he isn’t expecting a virgin on his wedding night.” “Why is that?” “Because at this moment Norsa is schtupping two crew members in one of the engine rooms.” “What is schtupping I have not heard that word before.” She felt her cheeks pink. “It refers to sexual activity.” He scowled. “She will be with her fiancé in two days, a fiancé that both she and her family have selected, and she is seeking sexual partners on the ship? And then she gives you the overload of her emotional responses? Unbelievable.” She shrugged. “It is simply the way she is, and now that I have a date on which we will be unlinked, I can forgive it a little easier.” 19

Viola Grace His skin seemed to flare black in the bright light of the observation lounge where they were having their conversation. It was fascinating, the red of his skin shifted and flared, darkened and brightened. She was hypnotized by the movement of light on his skin. It took her a few long moments to realize that he had spoken to her. He cleared his throat and repeated himself. “Has Norsa made arrangements for your clothing at the wedding? You will have to be in attendance until the new link with her husband is forged right before the ceremony. It will then be appropriate for you to be on the bride’s side of the room.” “Uh, no. All I have to wear is my ship suits. The Alliance has not seen fit to provide me with anything else. I suppose I will have to find something when we get to Wyora.” Suddenly she was uncomfortable. Theo had never been any good at formal wear, she always ended up with a stain or a ripped hem. “There will be no time. You will have to help Norsa at the public appearances demanded by her new station. She will have to attend several stressful councils and events. She will need her link.” Theo sighed heavily, “Then I suppose I won’t have anything to wear.” “I will arrange something for you. There is no reason for you to be embarrassed simply because 20

Gift of Wyora your link is a self-centered little snob.” He set his cup down with a sharp crack. “You represent your species while you are with us, and therefore must be accorded the respect due to an ambassador.” “Are you upset on my behalf?” “I will speak with you once we have reached Wyora. There are a few things that I need to attend to now.” He stood and executed a short bow, then kissed the back of her hand in a manner that had her stomach jumping and her skin tingling. Before she had come to her senses, he was gone. Her body was humming with arousal and only some of it was from the overflow of Norsa’s activities. The rest was focused on the slightly warmed skin on the back of her hand. Oh lord, she could still smell him. **** “Wow, that must have been some dream Theo. I haven’t seen you squirm like that…well, ever.” Norsa was sitting on the edge of her bed and watching her with an unholy light in her eyes. Frantically, Theo looked down and confirmed that she was indeed wearing the clothing she had gone to bed in. She was. “It must have been something I ate.” Her lame attempt at Terran humour immediately triggered a lascivious response in her Wyoran counterpart. 21

Viola Grace “Oh, do tell? I pleasured one of the crew men with my mouth yesterday. It was fun.” Her eyes were still shining and it was with the utmost of efforts that Theo pulled her mind into a semblance of order and stopped broadcasting her arousal. There were no red hands turning to black as they caressed her flesh. No lover moving to cover her as she lay alone in her bed and no tongue teasing her breast. It was just her and her mental pain in the ass. “Was there a reason that you woke me?” “Only to tell you that we planet fall in an hour. Get ready.” With a swish of her hip length blue black hair, Norsa returned to her room and the lover that was helping her to pack. Theo hated having adjoining rooms.

22

Gift of Wyora

Chapter Three

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he planet Wyora was a symphony of blues and blacks, or at least it would have been if Norsa had let Theo sit by the window. As it was, it all looked like the back of Norsa’s head. So Theo bent her head to her studies, learning the rules and regulations of the trade society that she was about to immerse herself in. The info packet had arrived just after her final tea with Altius. In addition to social behaviours and class systems, it had contained a file on social mores, including clothing. A slow burning anger was beginning in her as she read about the laws governing the treatment of links. Norsa had broken every one of them. Altius’s outrage was now beginning to make sense. He had mentioned that he had lived and trained as a link and, looking at the list of qualifications and stipulations of behaviour, she was amazed that she had survived the two years with Norsa. No one with her low level of training 23

Viola Grace should have come out with their mind intact. And yet, here she was. The slight shudder as they entered the planet’s atmosphere caused her to raise her head and look around. Norsa was still sitting and watching to see if she could see the great wheel, or the Trade Guild Headquarters, which was structured with spokes around a central hub. The whole thing was surrounded by a larger connecting structure that was open to the public. The spokes and hub were reserved for the guilds. The industry of Wyora was trade. They were centrally located and traded goods for planets that contracted their services. Their percentage fed and clothed their population very well indeed. They used their psychic abilities shamelessly in trade. Each weakness in their opponent had to be exploited and each wavering purchaser had to be convinced and reassured. It was quite a racket and the Wyorans made it their life. A sharp bump and they were on their landing trajectory. It would be less than an hour before she was on the twentieth planet that she had ever stepped upon. So why was she so nervous? **** “These are your quarters, they adjoin those of Countess Danyk. As her link, you will sleep here.” 24

Gift of Wyora The official housekeeper of the Import Guild rattled off the directions as impersonally as if she was ordering clean sheets. “Madam Dawson.” That caused the housekeeper to raise her eyebrows. “What?” “As the link of Countess Dalnyk, I am entitled to my formal designation. That means you are to address me as Madam Dawson or Link Theodora. Please inform your staff.” Veva Thadil blinked rapidly then smiled. “Yes, Madam Theodora, and may I say that I am happy to meet one of Countess Norsa’s links with their spirit intact.” It was a different woman who walked out the door, not the officious servant who had led her in, but a proud woman now carrying a good secret. A secret that would be splattered around the hub in moments. Her quarters were utilitarian, but sparse. There was no picture or window to mar the bland expanse of the pale grey walls. Hanging her ship suits in the wardrobe took all of five minutes, but with Norsa’s clothing being unpacked in the adjoining room, it was going to be a long time before Theo saw any portion of Wyora. Unless she took matters into her own hands. A communication unit unfolded from the wall at her touch. “Yes, Link Theodora? What can I do for you?” 25

Viola Grace “Countess Dalnyk looks to be busy for a while, I would like someone to give me a tour of one of the spokes, or perhaps the entire hub if possible.” “Certainly, Link Theodora. Someone will be with you in a few minutes.” The pleasant voice disconnected the call and left Theo smiling. Perhaps her time here could be fun. She smiled and fidgeted with her ship suit, checking the closures in the one tiny mirror on the wall of the wardrobe. Yup. Still looking like a space faring substitute teacher. The more experience she accumulated, the more like a stereotypical human she looked. It was kinda sad really, she had hoped to look more worldly by now. A discreet tap on the door and she broke her own eye contact to answer. Lord Altius was leaning against her door frame and a grin was splitting his face from ear to ear. “I am your escort for the afternoon. I believe you wanted to see the hub?” He held his arm out to her, and bemused, she took it. “I do not believe that you would count being a tour guide in your normal duties.” “I have made an exception for you. Increasing your education in the matter of being a link is something I believe you would benefit from.” “Where can I learn about links?” She kept to a conversational tone, her curiosity a constant itch in her mind. 26

Gift of Wyora “At the Education Center. It is just outside the Wheel, and you will need to change your clothing if you are to avoid garnering more attention than your coloration will normally attract.” “Where exactly are we headed then because I don’t have anything else to wear.” “The outer hub of the Wheel has several dressmakers who will suit your needs, with something ready to wear.” He nodded to several men and women as they passed, their shocked faces for the human in their midst clearly evident. He did not deign to notice their astonishment, but kept the stately and casual pace that his long legs had adapted to keep her comfortable. “The Pilot, Christy, told me that you hadn’t been shopping in years. With Norsa unpacking this is the perfect time to add to your limited wardrobe.” The excitement that suddenly ran through her was far more than she should have felt at the anticipation of trying on something other than a grey-blue ship suit. Norsa was meeting someone she missed, or someone that made her tremble with anticipation. A deep breath and Theo centered herself once again. When she came back to herself they were standing in the doorway of a dress shop. “This is Caras’s shop. She will take care of you, and I will be back for you in an hour.” He stopped for a moment to make introductions and then was 27

Viola Grace on his way. Caras was a brilliant turquoise, the dark blue sheen where the nap of her skin threw highlights was quite beautiful. Against the Wyoran fashion for wearing the hair straight down the back she had hers woven into an arrangement of intricate braiding. It reminded Theo of something. There was only one race that she knew of that demanded a hairdress as a mark of marriage. “Caras, are you married to a Dentle?” “You have travelled a bit haven’t you? Yes, I am.” She touched her locks and smiled. “Lord Altius says that you need a basic wardrobe from the skin out. Let’s get started, shall we?” “Where are we going to start?” Theo followed her to the rear fitting room. The seamstress assessed her with a professional eye. “We will begin at the beginning. Now strip.” **** The amount of clothing that she was sized for astonished Theo. Her opinion of color and fit did not matter. Caras’s was all that counted. “Who is picking up the tab for all this?” Wearing a gown of periwinkle blue that she had been assured was suitable for the wedding of Norsa and her betrothed, Theo turned idly to watch the flow of the daringly cut folds that bared her from neck to 28

Gift of Wyora navel. “The Import Guild has given you free reign for appropriate clothing and footwear.” A slight twitch of the fabric and she nodded in satisfaction. Caras was looking very smug as she tallied the gowns and underclothing that she had selected for Theo. “I find this selection very appropriate.” Theo giggled then laughed outright. She was careful to keep her posture upright as any sudden manoeuvres flirted with exposure. “It’s worth every credit, Caras. You are a true artist. I have been in space for a while. I miss the fashions of the ground-bound.” “Why do space farers only wear those boring suits all the time? I have wondered.” A shop assistant was packing up a large amount of her new purchases and removing the rejects. “You haven’t left Wyora in your life, have you?” “No.” “When you are in a ship that is not of the finest Alliance construction, working gravity is not something you can always anticipate. When you are dangling in zero gravity, you want pants on.” A masculine voice suddenly joined the conversation. “If you were wearing that dress in zero gravity, I would stand in line to watch you.” Altius was back and the heated appreciation in his eyes was enough to send a tingle of warmth 29

Viola Grace straight up her spine. It took an act of will to keep her from drawing the gown closed. She just let him look. Caras’s voice broke their stalemate, “That gown will be fantastic for the wedding, don’t you think? She will definitely be an asset to the bride’s clan in this gown.” “She will indeed. But do you have something more circumspect for her to wear to the Education Center?” Altius was still watching the opening of the gown hopefully, as if it would shift aside under the power of his gaze alone. It didn’t. “Of course. Theo, it’s in the dressing room. The seventh one you put on.” Caras waved her off and she dutifully went. The fabric of the gown swirled and clung to her as she shifted and walked back to the changing room. The day gown was the same color as her eyes, a rich chocolate with gold trim. The undergarments consisted of a gauzy slip and some silken pantalets, which left her feeling like she was wearing nothing at all. Finally dressed in proper Wyoran attire she felt ready to take on whatever challenges awaited her. She slipped on the delicate walking shoes that completed the ensemble and left the changing room. “Thank you Caras, for all your help. I would love to meet your husband one day if he is amenable to it.” She executed the formal curtsey 30

Gift of Wyora that she had been required to practice with each of the differing gowns. “It was my pleasure, Link Theodora. Please come back anytime, even just to visit. And I am sure that my husband would love to meet you. He gets to meet so few travellers.” She echoed the curtsey and they both giggled. It was hard to remain formal when another woman had to pick out your undies. “The rest of the clothing will be delivered to your rooms, and hung in your wardrobe since you don’t have a maid.” Altius took Theo’s hand and gently led her from the shop, “I am sure that will be fine, and now we have somewhere we need to be.” “Are we suddenly in a hurry?” She had to ask the back of his head because he was dragging her along by her hand on his arm. “The headmaster of the Education Center has agreed to meet with you. It is a great honour and if anyone can help you, he can.” He slowed slightly when he looked down and saw her running to keep up. “Your appointment is in five minutes. It takes that long to get to the main gate.” “Then let’s run.” She shrugged, pulled her hand from his and took a grip on her new skirt. Laughing, they sprinted through the halls, past hawkers and dour faced merchants, with Theo promising that she would come back and look when she was no longer in a hurry. They darted 31

Viola Grace out of the Wheel and headed for a large building with well tended paths and the look of academia. Bemused guards let them past and students stared and giggled as they sprinted to the Headmaster’s offices. They arrived at the offices with twenty three seconds to spare. The astonished receptionist waved them into the Headmaster’s office with the notice that he would be in in a moment. Altius was breathing normally, but Theo felt her face flush and her lungs heaving to draw in air. She was really out of shape.

32

Gift of Wyora

Chapter Four

öS

o brother, where is this extraordinary alien you wanted me to meet?” A male Wyoran, a few inches shorter than Altius, but much wider at the shoulder made his entrance with that bald statement. Theo had regained her breath and was leaning out the window to admire the orderly arrangement of the gardens. She loved order and the gardens were stunning. “She is right here, but you might want to be polite, she has a tongue like a razor.” Altius turned to her and made the introductions. “Theodora Dawson, this is my brother Sahvahn Nywyn, Headmaster of the Education Center, and an expert in links.” “Pleased to meet you, Headmaster Nywyn.” She executed one of her curtseys and waited. He came forward and kissed her hands formally. “Pardon my rude entrance, Madam Dawson.” 33

Viola Grace “Please, call me Theo.” She perched on the edge of one of the chairs across from the desk and waited for Altius to take the lead. A blunt probing of her mind was not what she had been expecting. In reaction she froze for a second then went about calming her mind into stillness. “You have had some training, but your mind is wide open. How do you remain sane?” Sahvahn was almost as surprised as she was. “Uh, just lucky I guess. Is my mind really wide open? I used to have shields. I think. I can’t really remember that well.” Theo rubbed her forehead as she tried to reach back into her memory. It was no use. She couldn’t get back to anything before her link to Norsa. “You were right, Al. Her mind has been wedged open. If she runs into anyone who has the talent to influence her she will be helpless.” He looked from her companion and back to her, “Theo, when can you come in for some basic training?” “Uh, I will have to check with Norsa. She has several public appearances that I will have to be in attendance for. Is there a way I can contact you when I find out?” “Altuis will provide you with the information. You may call me at any time if you need assistance.” He broke into an engaging grin, his teeth ever so white in his burgundy features. “Or 34

Gift of Wyora if you just want to talk. You have a fascinating mind and I would love to have dinner with you to discuss it.” “Hands off, Sahv. She is not one of your toys.” Altius took her hand and tugged her to her feet. “She will be in touch.” He almost dragged her out of the office and laughter rang out behind them. “Uh, I thought I was here to ask questions. What happened to that?” She was almost running to keep up, but he didn’t notice. He had a full head of steam. “Sahvahn is a little too interested in you as a female. You will not be meeting with him privately. Ever.” “Then how am I supposed to learn how to close my mind?” She stumbled and finally asked, “Altius, will you please slow down. I am going to ruin this dress with sweat and it isn’t even three hours old yet.” “I apologize. I had forgotten that my brother and I share a certain personal taste.” She left that one alone. It did cause a thrill of excitement to shoot down her spine, but she didn’t want to pin hopes on such a vague statement. “For the next few days you will be occupied with Norsa’s wedding preparations. I will visit when I can and begin your instruction.” “So only a few days more, and I may be able to keep her out of my mind?” 35

Viola Grace “Yes.” “Then it will be worth every second.” She patted his arm lightly with her free hand as he seemed to need consoling. Something was not quite right with his emotional state. Her open mind must have been picking up on it. He calmed as soon as she touched him. **** The next few days flew by. Norsa’s visitor had been her fiancé, Andig. After their first meeting Theo made it a point never to be alone with him. He had welcomed her to Wyora most formally, but the waves of hostility that Norsa was sending through the link cooled her normally friendly reply. Jealousy was a hard thing to deal with when it was aimed directly at her. Fortunately, as the days wore on, she was too busy to worry too much about it. It seemed to Theo that she only blinked and they were at the pre-wedding ceremony that would be shared by only Norsa and herself. She was wearing the blue gown that Caras had selected for her. It was truly a stunning piece and she drew her own share of attention as they walked to the formal hall set aside for their ritual. Norsa was in traditional scarlet, the color of the Wyoran sky at dawn and the color of the blanket 36

Gift of Wyora that the first child would be wrapped in, if they were blessed. “Well Theo, it has been quite an interesting two years.” Norsa took a position on one of the cushions laid on the floor next to a low table. Theo knelt opposite. Looking at Norsa’s blue and black skin with it’s framing of the scarlet gown she had to admit that the Countess was a stunning creature. Also a maelstrom of lusts that Theo had never imagined. “My time as your link is over. I wish you joy with your husband and in every endeavour that you undertake in the future.” She bowed low from the waist then straightened her back to meet Norsa’s eyes. The undercurrent of jealousy was still there and it would be only a few minutes until Theo’s mind would be her own again. It took every ounce of self control that she had not to let her joyfull anticipation show. “You will have to allow me full access to your mind as I remove the link. There may be some pain, but it will pass.” The flat tone of her voice set off an alarm in Theo’s senses, but it was too late. “No other Wyoran will have you so you will be free of links for your lifetime.” A dagger of pain shredded through her self control. She screamed in agony as Norsa’s exit ripped her emotions open. Her mind was in disarray and she didn’t really know what had 37

Viola Grace happened, all she remembered was Norsa patting her on the shoulder and saying, “The money will be in your account in an hour. Don’t spend it all on looking like a whore.” Theo was slumped in a delirium of pain. She remained on her knees until a hand shook her to consciousness. “Theodora, are you alright?” Altius. He could help her. “I don’t feel right. Something hurts.” She felt tears running down her face and touched them. Her fingers came away with blood. She turned to Altius, unable to even register his shock and said, “I don’t feel right.” His arms wrapped around her and she was lifted. A few ribald comments were thrown at him until he barked for a medical team. She was safe, he would know what to do.

38

Gift of Wyora

Chapter Five

T

heo felt a hand slowly stroke her cheek. “Theo, you must wake up.” “Why?” Her voice cracked and she croaked her question. “We need to help you, Theo. You must wake up to take another link.” The deep voice was quiet and kind. Theo felt that it meant her no harm and she opened her eyes a slit. Altius was next to her. It was his hand on her face. “Who?” In the conversations that had flowed around her as she laid immobile it had been said that no sane Wyoran would bind themselves to her for a lifetime. They had no idea what her mind would do to theirs. Altius smiled kindly at her, “The link? That would be me then.” “What? Why?” Her voice crackled and her breath wheezed as she struggled to grasp that concept. He would be risking his own life to bond with her in her condition. 39

Viola Grace “No more questions.” He squeezed her hand lightly. “Now onto the matter at hand.” He took on a formal tone and met her gaze frankly. “Will you accept my mind and emotions tied to yours?” “Yes.” Her hiss of affirmation seemed to fill the room. It echoed off the stone walls and around them both. “Then let it be done.” Altius focussed his gaze on hers then turned his focus inward. Tendrils of energy rolled into her mind with a delicate touch. Her mind and body welcomed his touch and tried to respond to it. She was too weak and she simply accepted the new energy with a wave of relief. As her pain eased, she felt his presence touch her soul. It was a gentle exchange and Theo ruefully acknowledged the concern and resignation that he was feeling. Linking to her wasn’t his first choice, but he wanted to keep her alive. There was also a fleeting touch of something she could not quite identify. It felt almost like possession, but it faded as her body fell into a healing sleep. **** The bright fingers of dawn tiptoed across her closed lids. Revelling in the warmth, she turned her face to the sun. It felt like forever since she had 40

Gift of Wyora basked in the sensations that were crossing her mind and body. There was no pain, no agony and no feeling of invasion. She felt…good. She sat up slowly and took stock of her condition, both in mind and body. Physically she felt weak, her limbs weighed down with the fatigue of disuse. The constant drain of her energies was over, she felt whole again. She dangled her legs off the bed and looked around for the source of her cure. The room was exactly as she remembered it, only brighter. She didn‘t have a window. Her bed, wardrobe and dressing table were in the same places that they always were. Theo waited for her body to accede to her control and got to her feet with only a little difficulty. The sheets had tangled around her hips and she got herself loose with only minor tugging and cursing. With the wardrobe as her lodestone she stumbled straight across the room, only hitting her forehead lightly as she slumped against the door. It had taken more effort than she thought to cross her bedroom and, when she took one of her new gowns out, she had to face the long trek back to the bed. Her knees were shaking violently and it took all of her energy to get her arms to lift the gown over her head. It was then that her door rattled and opened without a knock. “What in the seventeen hells do you think you 41

Viola Grace are doing? Get your ass back in bed, Theo.” Altius strode in and ripped the gown from her feeble grasp. A household attendant hovered behind him, embarrassed by Theo’s nudity. She was a little surprised by his abrupt intrusion, and even more shocked by the lack of transference from his mind to hers. Small waves of irritation lapped at her, as well as relief and the outrage of her attempt at independence. “Get back into bed you little twit.” “I am in bed.” “Lie down.” She clutched at his shoulders as he lifted her and held her. With a jerk of his head, the attendant scuttled forward to straighten and turn down the bedding. It was an eternity of bliss to be held in his arms and the slight smile on his face let her know that her thoughts were coming through loud and clear. He tucked her carefully into her bed as carefully as he would handle a child. He smoothed her hair back from her forehead gently. “Do you remember how you came to be here?” “I remember bits and pieces. I was with Norsa removing our link, then there was pain, then the night turned into a total blur.” Her emotional state was rising and he took her hand as she struggled with the memories. He turned to the attendant. “Anra, could you 42

Gift of Wyora get the lady some food fit for an invalid?” “Yes, sir.” She bobbed off a curtsey then closed the door behind her. “There are a few details that I should fill about when and why you fell ill, Theo.” He took on a tone that demanded her full attention and his golden eyes fixed on her features to watch her reactions. Not that he couldn’t feel each and every one of them, but it helped him brace himself, she supposed. “First thing to tell you is that Norsa is the reason for your illness. She tore the link from your mind and left your energy field trying to plug the hole as you bled out on the psychic plane. As your training in the Alliance did not cover this type of thing, you had no idea what she was doing. In two more days, you would have been dead, your mind shattered and body useless.” His anger lapped around her, but not at her. She was astonished that she could actually feel the difference. “Maybe it was just an accident?” “She deliberately ruptured your personal energy field, savaged your emotional center and left you to bleed your soul into the ether. Your neural synapses went into shock and your body began to shut down. There was no accident.” “How did I survive?” “You waited for help and a link was found for you. Me. I will be the caretaker of your mind until 43

Viola Grace you do not need me anymore.” Now he was amused, his full lips twitching upward in wry amusement. “I wonder if you will be as difficult as I have foreseen.” “Why did it have to be you?” She felt her face heat. “Finding a Wyoran who was willing to take the risk was proving to be awkward with such short notice.” His eyes told a different story and his mind withdrew from hers. That flare of possession was back. She closed her eyes in embarrassment and apologized. “I am so sorry that you had to sacrifice your mind for me. I will try not to be a bother.” She opened her eyes and spoke with a hopeful tone, “Perhaps there will be another who will take my link on after a while? That way I won’t be too much of a burden.” “What is wrong with me?” His indignation was palpable. Tears formed in her eyes. “I know how you feel about links, I know that you swore to never do it again. How long will it be until we can separate?” He sighed deeply and took her hand once again, rubbing his thumb along her palm in a soothing stroke. “It is alright, Theodora. I knew what I was doing when I asked for your consent.” “My consent? I remember that, I thought it was weird. Norsa never asked me, she just jumped into 44

Gift of Wyora my mind.” Theo was confused now. When comparing what she remembered of the two experiences, she had to admit now that they were very different. “By law, a link must be formed by the informed consent of both parties. Norsa will face an Wyoran tribunal for her actions. When she linked with you, she broke every guideline and regulation that the Councils have set in place for those who require a companion mind. You are a protected species Theodora, she should never have involved you.” Theo sat in silence for a moment, mulling over the information she has just been given. It had never occurred to her that what Norsa had done fell within the scope of the Alliance treaties, or that it was against Wyoran law to force the joining of two minds. “How is Andig taking this?” She was almost certain of the answer, even before the question was voiced. “He has broken the link between himself and Norsa and has returned to his lands in disgust. Apparently he was unaware of the extent of her self-involvement until he joined minds with her and felt it first hand.” Absently, Altius smoothed Theo’s hair back. “When you fell ill in such a dramatic manner, an enquiry was launched and, under questioning, Norsa admitted to the deliberate savaging of your 45

Viola Grace psyche. She was jealous of Andig’s affection and felt justified in her treatment of you.” Shaken by the hostility that had almost taken her life she whispered, “If you don’t mind, I would like to rest now.” “Of course. You will have to remain in the Wheel until after the trial, but fortunately your Advocate is only two days away.” He turned and was almost out the door when he added, “We will also have to move you into my quarters. It is not acceptable for you to be in rooms that that woman shared with you.” A genuine grin and he was gone. She was naked in bed and confused. Quarters? Moving? An Advocate? What the hell was an Advocate?

46

Gift of Wyora

Chapter Six

A

nra, the servant arrived, helped her eat then helped her to dress. “Lord Altius also has asked if you will accept his brother as a visitor during your recovery. He will help take you to your new quarters.” And just as she finished, there was a knock on the door. “Sahvahn, so nice to see you again.” “Link Theodora, it is nice to see you alive and recovering from your ordeal.” He gallantly held his arm out to hers and she took it for stability. “Don’t be in a hurry to get anywhere unless you want to drag me.” Her smile re-enforced her grip and together they made their way through the Import Guild spoke with a slow and deliberate pace. She had expected to be a topic of conversation, but the looks she was getting ranged from anger to pity to encouragement and a strange sort of vindication. She read all the expressions as she passed and could not understand the motivation behind such differing opinions. 47

Viola Grace “You are not the only link to have run afoul of Norsa. Many are looking upon you as a form of hero.” His whisper cleared up some of her confusion. “A strange place to find a hero. Trapped in the mind of the victim.” “Not for that, for surviving and bringing her up on charges. It will be the first time that a woman of her rank will be called before the Courts to answer for her actions.” “It wasn’t my idea. Altius set all of this in motion before I even regained consciousness.” She was trying not to be defensive, but she was rapidly losing strength. “Is it much further?” “No. Just around this next bend.” He looked down and noted the greying of her skin. “Are you tired?” “Oh, a little.” The next instant she was swept into his arms and he was carrying her through the halls to the titillation of their audience. “It will be much quicker this way.” His arms were warm and strong around her, his heartbeat slow and steady. If she wasn’t already half in love with Altius, she may have considered snuggling into his arms, but as it stood, Sahvahn was merely transportation. The look on Altius’s face when his brother carried her in was priceless. He went from surprise to anger to jealousy in a matter of 48

Gift of Wyora seconds. “Sorry Altius, I ran out of steam and he had to carry me.” She tried to get the words in as fast as she could and began to wiggle to get Sahvahn to let her down. He didn’t. Altius rose to his feet and came forward with a thundercloud of displeasure. With sharp movements he divested his brother of his burden. And that burden snuggled in for comfort. She breathed deeply as he held her against his chest and basked in the warmth of his arms for just a moment before saying, “You can put me down now. I just couldn’t hike all that way with everyone staring at me.” “I will put you down when I wish to. You weigh practically nothing.” “I beg to differ, Altius. I know for a fact that Sahvahn was breathing heavily by the time we got here.” She was beginning to feel a little silly, dangling in the air like that. She kicked her feet idly to throw him off balance. Sahvahn smirked at her. “Perhaps there was a different reason for my increased breathing. You are very attractive and my brother and I have shared women before.” Altius swore softly and placed her carefully in a chair, then strode over to his brother and slammed his fist into Sahvahn’s surprised face. “You will not speak to my link with such disrespect.” 49

Viola Grace Sahvahn pushed himself away from the wall and shook his head. “So it’s like that is it?” “It is.” Altius put himself squarely between them and folded his arms over his chest. “Finally!” Savahn clapped his brother on the shoulders and brought him in for a hug. Whatever was going on in front of her needed some kind of scoreboard. She had no idea what they were discussing, but had a feeling that she was involved somehow. “Now, may I begin my instruction of your link? Or are you going to do that as well?” Sahvahn was all business again. “You can begin. She needs to know the how and why of links on Wyora.” Altius returned to his place at his desk, but kept a watchful eye on his brother as he sat across from Theo to fill in the history of links. **** When the Wyorans first developed wholesale psychic talents, it was empathy that they worked to develop. They enhanced their DNA to increase the output and receptivity of their population. After the third generation was born, a certain madness began to develop in a miniscule percentage of the population. Researchers found that those who were afflicted with this defect were 50

Gift of Wyora unable to control their emotional output, which had the effect of burning out their minds by age thirty. It was only when a newly married couple came to the researchers to tell them of the husband’s remarkable recovery from his genetic madness that they struck upon the truth. One of the affected patients could link minds with a sane and controlled empath and, with effort, they could train their mind to control the emotional deluge. So, the class of links were born. Volunteers were requested and for the most part that satisfied the need for links. The links were trained to handle and train their counterparts in the proper methods of self control. “So how did Norsa go so wrong?” She had held her question the entire time that he had been lecturing her. A snort from the other side of the room let her know that Altius was still listening. He did interrupt with a simple explanation for her, “She did not allow any exchange of techniques, she only wanted a dumping ground for her emotional excesses.” Sahvahn continued for him, “She is the lowest type of counterpart. She will go through link after link, burning them all out, driving them mad and using them as servants. Her family will allow her to take one after another until no one would have her.” 51

Viola Grace “So she will no longer be eligible for a trained link, but what about jumping an untrained one like I was? I would hate to think that her family will be able to find another woman to put into that situation.” “She has been denied a link from the training center. And is slowly going mad. Well, not so slowly. Because she has always refused treatment, she will rapidly deteriorate into a state of madness. No matter her family connections, she will not receive a link.” “You have no idea how happy I am to hear that. My own emotions must be leaking every where, but I am content to know that my brain won’t combust again.” Sahvahn smiled. “Actually, your priests did a wonderful job in teaching you. The centering techniques are based on those we use while training links. Once your soul and psyche are repaired, you two could be unlinked with a minimum of fuss.” Theo sat quietly. She liked being linked to Altius. It gave her a feeling of security that she usually only had in her soul when she was on a mission. He felt right and being tied to him through their link made her feel all secure. “Our link will not be dissolved until I am satisfied that the damage that was done by Norsa has been permanently reversed.” Altius threw in 52

Gift of Wyora his two cents while still working on whatever paperwork had him enthralled. Sahvahn gave her a smile that could be only considered conspiratorial. “He is all work, that one. Run away with me and the heights of emotional pleasure can be yours.” “I don’t think I am up to much running. And pleasure that involves me moving right now is out of the question.” She laughed it off and felt a small flutter of relief in her mind that wasn’t hers. “Sorry, Sahvahn. I am quite happy with the link I have.” She smiled at Altius and the gentle warmth in his eyes as he looked back at her shook her to her core. Apparently there was something on his side of it as well. It sent a frisson of anticipation through her and, as his smile turned to a grin, she knew he caught it. Without her willing it her mind slammed shut. She blinked in surprise. So did Altius. “What did I just do?” Sahvahn sent a probe to her mind and she deflected it. He pronounced, “Your shields are coming back. Norsa must have disabled them somehow.” A flash of memory ran through her, facing Norsa in a ship’s cabin with the dead body of her previous link on the floor. Then the pain. The memory always ended in pain. She rubbed at her forehead and yawned. “What is it, Theo? What were you thinking of?” 53

Viola Grace Altius knelt in front of her and took her hands in his. She looked into his harsh red face and concentrated. “I was thinking of the first time I met Norsa. Her link was dead in front of her, blade marks on her arms and that same blade in her back. She looked at me, asked me if I was a psi talent and then I felt pain. It is the first time my memory has taken me back to that time.” “Relax, Theo. Just let it go. You will remember everything in time. Once the damage from Norsa’s link has healed.” Sahvahn was not going to preempt Altius’s grip on her hands, but the look in his eyes said he wanted to. Altius picked her up again and crossed the room while explaining, “I had this room prepared just this morning, so if there is anything you need, just ask for it.” The door he took her through was one of four off the main room that doubled as his study. It was dressed in blue and cream. The same periwinkle blue as the dress she had worn to the unlinking ceremony. The bed was enormous and covered with puffy pillows and a fluffy comforter. Just looking at that bed made her sleepy. “There are nightclothes in the wardrobe, slippers and a robe also. Your clothing will be moved in during the day and installed when you wake up. Anra has agreed to leave Norsa’s service—since the Lady is incarcerated—and assist you in dressing 54

Gift of Wyora and bathing during your recuperation.” “Is that necessary? I feel much stronger.” Her fingers were itching to throw back the covers and burrow into them. “You ran out of energy just walking the halls with an escort. You will have help to at least dress yourself.” “Fine, but I bathe alone.” “Done.” The flash of satisfaction that crossed his features made her wish that she had fought a little harder. He had been testing her. That she had agreed to a servant at all meant that she still did not feel up to fending for herself. It was a dead give away. She would have to find a way to get even.

55

Viola Grace

Chapter Seven

O

ne day before Norsa’s trial Theodora met her Advocate. It was one of the Alliance Negotiators in full armour, and a sense of humour that was oddly familiar. Negotiator Derix was prepared to represent Theodora and spent hours grilling her as to her memories of that fateful first meeting. Every detail was recorded by the Advocate and Theo was exhausted by the time they finished. The long walk through the halls of the Wheel were lonely. Sahvahn was at the Centre and Altius was off filing injunctions against Norsa’s family. They were trying their best to portray Theodora as unstable and unsuitable, a common woman beneath the notice of the Tribunal. Theo let herself into their rooms with a heavy sigh, locking the door behind her. Anra was gone for the day, having only been needed for the detailed dressing in the mornings. The rest of the day Theo liked to be on her own. While a bath 56

Gift of Wyora would be nice, the decadent shower in Altius’s quarters beckoned her. The shower resembled a waterfall, rock walls and an open skylight. It was beautiful. But there was one problem. It was the ensuite for his bedroom. Feeling like a thief she crept through his rooms with her robe in her arms and her toiletries in a bag hanging from her wrist. She placed her burdens on the bathroom sink and stripped to enter the shower. The water went from cool to warm and she stepped beneath the heavenly waterfall. The ivory stone of the walls let every drop of water sparkle and bounce in the sun. Tiny gems tumbling in the confined space. The pleasure that she was feeling was all consuming. Worshipping the water caressing her body, she let her hands follow the trail that it was weaving. Soap, bubbles, foam and warmth became her world. The sheer enjoyment of the shower was turning into something else. Arousal. As soon as she identified the liquid warmth that was blooming within her she decided to cut the shower short. It was too late. “What are you doing in my shower?” The heat in his voice belied the anger in the question. “Enjoying myself?” Her eyes were awash with water and she blinked furiously to clear them. Suddenly realizing two things, she turned off the water and kept her back to him. “Uh, could you 57

Viola Grace hand me a towel?” “No.” She peeked over her shoulder and saw him with a grin splitting his face and his arms crossed while he leaned on the shower door. He was far too close. “Why? Why won’t you hand me a towel?” “Because you have to pay the penalty for abusing my hospitality.” His voice dropped to a husky whisper as he said, “Turn around.” Petulant and not a little intimidated, she turned around. Her tanned body was still a shocking counterpoint to his red skin and she trembled at the thought. He reached out and took her hands in his, rubbing his thumb against the palm of her hand. He pulled her arms out to her sides and admired the view. “You are stunning.” His voice sent tremors through her as he turned her around to view her from all sides. “Why do you not have a husband of your own species yet?” That question caught her by surprise and she tried to move her arms out of his grip. He did not allow her to cover herself. Embarrassment leaked through her side of the link and he drew her toward him. When her nipples brushed the fabric of his shirt, he stopped her. “Answer me. Why did you not find a man of your own kind to mate with?” 58

Gift of Wyora She ducked her head and mumbled, “I never bothered looking for one, they certainly were not looking for me.” “Then your planet is full of blind men. You keep my attention in the day, the night and the lonely expanse of my bed.” His confining arms gentled into a hug that brought her firmly against him. Her hands were now free. “You must be joking.” “Open your thoughts to me, and I will open mine to you.” She felt him drop the shield between them and his attraction, affection and arousal came roaring into her mind in an instant. Her body responded with a surge of heat and her own mind fed the fascination back to him. Her arms surrounded him and began to move down to clutch his hips and she thrust her hips against him. The ridge of his arousal was a relief. It was familiar in shape and in no way one of the monstrous or micro phalluses that they had been shown in basic sexuality briefing with the Alliance. Her hand fumbled with the clasps on his shirt and his red velvet chest was exposed to her inch by tantalizing inch. When the material opened, she slid her hands onto his chest and pushed the fabric off his shoulders. It was in her way. 59

Viola Grace The nap of his fur was everything she had imagined. Silky smooth and rough when she rubbed it against the grain. Both of her hands stroked him in unison, learning his feel, his reactions and his sensitive spots. He was not ticklish, but petting his chest was a certain way to increase his arousal. Her hands stayed above the equator and it was only a matter of time before he grew impatient and stepped away from her, dragging her into the bedroom by her wrist. She was sat on the edge of the bed as he stood before her and unfastened his trousers to drop them to the floor. He had taken off his boots earlier, obviously to sneak up on her in the shower. When his pants hit the floor, she had only one place to look and it was right in front of her. His cock curved toward her, then away, then back. Oh boy, the danged thing was prehensile. Timidly she leaned forward to take in his scent. It was more musky than his regular scent, but still drew her like a lodestone. She hesitated only an instant before lapping out with her tongue to taste him. Salty and musky at the same time. Daring herself, she leaned forward to take the head of his cock in her mouth. The groan from above and the surge from within her mouth confirmed that he was very sensitive. Just like the books had said. She felt his hands on her shoulder an instant 60

Gift of Wyora before he pushed her back onto the bed, dragging and shifting her into place. He then sat back on his heels to look at her. “You are fantastic, despite your bland coloring.” He softened that last comment with a grin and a flutter through their link. “I don’t have a lot of practice at this.” “Then we will have to get you some.” He positioned himself over her on his hands and knees, covering her, but not touching. He started at her forehead and caressed his way down using his lips and flicks of his tongue. He took his time. Each moan he elicited was filed away in his mind for use in the next encounter. She felt him adding something within the link. When he took her mouth in a soft kiss designed to arouse her, she gave into it with everything she had and wrapped her arms around his head. He simply laughed and kept moving down. He discovered the sensitive spot on her neck, the edge of her collarbone and the delicate skin beneath her breast. A steady heat throbbed in her cunt and she was astonished at the alacrity of her body to give in to this embrace, this seduction. Her nipples were engorged with blood and she whimpered as he lapped gently at them before suckling strongly. She arched and tried to move her breast more firmly into his mouth then groaned in frustration 61

Viola Grace as he backed away. He chuckled as her fingers made a grab at his hair to bring him back. “You still need to pay the price for abusing my hospitality.” No words came to her as he held her hands down to her sides and recommenced his exploration. She fought his grip, but just ended up giving him better access to her breasts as his tongue flicked out to sample every texture. Sweat began to prickle on her skin as her muscles locked. She knew what was coming and as he bit down on the underside of her breast, she did. A shriek of pleasure left her as her body writhed in release. Theo felt the liquid rush between her thighs and closed them tightly to hide the evidence of her body’s reflex. He was having none of it. The smirk of satisfaction on his face made her want to hide her head in the covers, but he may not have noticed as his gaze was firmly fixed between her thighs. Even as he pried her thighs apart, he kept one hand on her solar plexus, anchoring her flat on her back. He seemed delighted by her response, and knelt between her thighs to keep them open as his other hand spread the folds of her sex to give him a clear view. She looked up at the ceiling and, instead of distracting her, it had the effect of increasing her 62

Gift of Wyora concentration on his exploration. Each slide of his fingers, the stroking, pinching and light tugging on her outer lips was magnified by her lack of distraction. When he slid a finger inside her she nearly hit the ceiling. Her body arched into his hand with a violence that surprised them both. He paused for a moment then another chuckle broke through the silence. Deliberately he slid a second finger into her, starting a smooth rhythm that soon had her hips moving in time. She was gasping as the pleasure started to build to critical once again. Just as she hovered on the edge of release he pulled back and she howled in frustration. The blunt nudging at the mouth of her cunt ceased her whining and, as she looked up, Altius had moved to cover her. His cock was seeking entrance on its own. There was something to be said for having prehensile appendages. It inched forward then glided back as he moved his hips. She could feel herself stretching to accommodate him as he plunged in then drew back over and over. Finally the moment that she had been waiting for arrived and he hit her hymen. His eyes blazed in shock as he met her expectant gaze. Wordlessly she raised her hips to invite him into her fully. He was laughing no longer. Tenderly, he took her lips in a kiss as he began to thrust shallowly within her. When her body had relaxed again, he 63

Viola Grace thrust forward and tore through the membrane that marked the loss of her physical innocence. The pain caused her to gasp in surprise and set off a shrieking in nerves that had never before been touched. They didn’t like it. She shifted in discomfort and blinked as his thumb brushed her tears away. Theo tried to smile but was no use, she was not a happy camper. Altius stilled within her and she felt a new probing now, one in her mind. Lust, affection and respect were pouring into her thoughts, she replied with enjoyment, a bit of her pain and wistfulness. “It isn’t over, Theo. Not by half.” His fingers caressed her clit softly, slowly reawakening the body that had so recently flamed beneath him. When she squirmed against him, another stroking began, this one within her. His cock was twisting and gyrating slowly, relaxing and massaging the recently abused channel. Time stretched into a barrage of sensation, her mind, the exterior of her body and deep within her was touched. Seconds stretched to minutes and, before she knew it, she was arching into his hand and cock once again, despite the pain. The pleasure blotted it all out. As suddenly as the breaking of her virginity, her release was on her again. A bellow and a shriek tore the air in the room and, based on his wince, deafened her lover. Her hips lifted him off 64

Gift of Wyora the bed and almost threw him off. She was trapped until he removed his fingers from her clit and let her body end the spasm. His head dropped to hers and she smiled tiredly into his eyes. Then concern over came her. “You didn’t finish?” Withdrawing and falling to the bed next to her, he said, “There will be another time. Many others. And I am sure that you will abuse my hospitality again. In fact, I will make sure of it.” A rough kiss was bestowed upon her and she was tucked against him for a moment before giggles broke out of her. “What?” “I need another shower.”

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Chapter Eight

öA

dvocate, do you declare that everything stated here will be true, that your office binds it and your witness upholds it?” The representatives for the Import, Export and Planetside Guilds were seated at their stations and waiting for an answer. The negotiator bowed from the waist, “I do indeed.” Who was the witness that the tribunal was speaking of? This was the first that Theo had heard of it. “Do you, Madam Dawson, agree to tell the truth about the events discussed here today?” “I will.” “Please take the podium and answer the questions that we will put to you.” Theo nodded and moved smoothly in the gown that Altius had selected for her that morning. It had just the right touch of the fashion of Wyora and a tiny bit of Terra thrown in. It was businesslike without being stiff and a lovely 66

Gift of Wyora bronze that matched the tunic that Altius had chosen for himself. Advocate Derix was standing by and ready for anything. Norsa and her Advocate were seated and Norsa was glaring daggers at her erstwhile link. “Madame Dawson, what is your first memory of Countess Norsa?” The Export Guild rep queried her first. “I was looking for the two passengers who had not fled the luxury shuttle at the threat of Raider attack. I found them using my talent for empathy and it led me to Norsa.” Theo paused for breath. “There was a body in the room with her and she looked at me quizzically when I came in. She asked me if I was a talent, and when I said I was there was a blinding pain. It’s all I remember until I came awake in the sickbay of the Onedai, with her nearby.” The Import rep asked, “What was she doing?” “Trying to seduce the attendant on duty.” “How can you be so sure that that was her intent? Did she say something?” “No, she had her hand on his crotch and was whispering in his ear. Her mind was full of lust and a weird kind of hunger.” “How do you know this?” “I was already linked to her.” The gasp that followed her statement told her what Sahvahn and 67

Viola Grace Altius had tried to. Forced linking was not allowed. “You could not have felt those emotions through her shield, you must be exaggerating.” Import was trying to save the status of her guild and losing fast. “Countess Norsa has no shields. Never has as far as I know. She was unwilling or unable to keep our minds separate.” Theo fought to keep from clenching her teeth in rage. “Our minds remained open for every sexual encounter that she enacted, and that was well over three dozen in two years. I felt every temper, every wave of self-pity, and every moment of her sexual activity. It was exhausting.” Import tried to rally against the wave of shock and horror that ran through the gallery watching the proceedings. “And yet you remained her link. How did you remain sane with all of that going on?” “The priests at Kaia Renal taught me to meditate. It helped me to push her activities to the back of my mind.” Planetside finally spoke, “You may be seated Madam Dawson. Advocate Derix, call your witness.” Out of the shadows another human walked to the podium as Theo left it. She was wearing the robes of the Reader section of the Citadel. 68

Gift of Wyora Psychometry was her talent. “Reader Quill, do you swear to the truth in the matter before the Tribunal?” “By the rules of my order, I do.” She bowed and a lock of blonde hair slithered out of the deep hood she wore. Theo watched her carefully. It was so rare for her to run into another human, and here were two fighting on her behalf. Advocate Derix asked the questions now. “What did you find when you examined the room in which Theo and Norsa first met?” “Pain. There was a lot of pain in that room.” “Theo’s pain?” “Lastly, but primarily Myla’s pain as Norsa stabbed her in the back with the ceremonial blade that she carries.” “How did you come by that information?” “By examining Myla’s body and her clothing. Her last moments were lived in terror and panic, and I believe it was the urge to cease that stimuli that pushed Norsa into stabbing her to death. She wanted the intrusion to stop.” The uproar that followed that last statement ran riot around the room and it was almost half an hour before the Tribunal could get control of the members in attendance. “I call Countess Norsa to the stand to answer the charges that have been brought against her.” Norsa’s Advocate Donar was insisting that she be 69

Viola Grace heard next, and Theo could hardly wait. Trembling with eyes welling with tears, Norsa took the stand. Theo was all set to pity her until the first words came out of her mouth before she could be sworn in. “It’s that Terran bitch’s fault! Andig wanted her and I had to show him that she was unsuitable. How the whore survived I don’t know, but I would do the same again!” She ended with a violent shriek and waved her fists in the air. As her Advocate fought to calm her the Tribunal began to murmur amongst themselves. Finally Import stood up and shouted, “Advocate, control your client!” Oops, her own guild was no longer giving her her title, that couldn’t be good. “We wish you to address the death of Myla Tymth, Norsa.” “What? That stupid cow?” Norsa snorted. The spoiled face was back in place. She hadn’t yet realized that her title was being skipped. “She wanted to climb into one of the escape pods with some of the crew, but I couldn’t allow myself into that crush. I was going to stay with my shuttle. She tried to take the last pod, she was panicking, shrieking and her emotions burned through the link. So I made it all stop.” The beatific smile she bestowed upon the Tribunal was chilling. **** 70

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Two hours later the Tribunal had their verdict. Guilty of murder, guilty of attempted murder, and guilty of vicious assault in over thirty-six instances. The Wyorans had no death penalty, but she was sentenced to twenty years of incarceration, solitary confinement. If she survived that, her mind would be wiped and she would be trained to do simple tasks to benefit society. Theo simply stood in the gallery as the sentence was read out. It was almost anticlimactic, this sudden settlement of the case. She pondered cases on Earth that had trailed on for months, years, and this was settled in only one day. Altius came up and took her hand in his own. “Did you want to watch them shackle her?” “No, I have seen quite enough.” Her own fingers curled back around his. Memories of yesterday flitted through her mind and it was all she could do not to feed him the lustful impulses through the link. They made their way through the crowd and into the main hall. “What are you thinking?” The soft rumble in her ear had her knees trembling and her toes curling in seconds. It was a shame that she would only benefit from his hypnotic effect until she was better and left Wyora. She pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind and simply enjoyed the warmth of his 71

Viola Grace embrace. “I was just running through my memories and yesterday sprang to mind. Don’t worry, I am keeping it under control.” She smirked up at him and was met by the flaring gold of his eyes. “I wish you weren’t. But I suppose that this is hardly the time.” “Why? Why is it hardly the time?” “Because we are leaving. There will be a backlash for the verdict, Norsa’s family may try something and I want you safe. I cannot take care of your security here.” Instead of heading to their quarters they were moving to the main entrance of the Wheel and the shuttle hangar. The verdict was spreading like wildfire and Norsa’s confessions were rippling through the halls as they walked. Theo could feel the speculation in their eyes as she and Altius passed. By the time they reached the shuttle they were almost running. Through the empathy with her surroundings that was slowly returning she could feel the roar of rage and frustration that was spreading through the Wheel. The links were angry and scared. Norsa had enacted the most feared of all psychic crimes, hijacking another mind. A link revolt was in the offing and Theo shuddered as they flew free of the psychic morass. “How long do you think it will take for them to calm down?” Altius was 72

Gift of Wyora piloting, as was appropriate since she did not know where they were headed. “Days, weeks, months, I have no idea. Exposing the possibility of jumping the mind of a link is terrifying. The link relationship is based on trust, and she casually violated that trust. Twice. The links are furious and the Education Centre is acting as a shelter for those who do not trust their clients.” “Wow. All that just because of one woman?” She was referring to Norsa. “No, because of three. Norsa killed Myla because she could not handle that which she so often inflicted on her link. She jumped you because you were the nearest talent, with no concern over what the connection would do to you. You simply had the bad taste to survive her insanity.” His hands steered the shuttle around a mountain range and down into a valley, skimming the valley floor and spooking some ruminants. “Yeah, I know. It’s all my fault.” Her hand fluttered in the air. He caught it and squeezed it tight. “I would not have it any other way, Theodora.” He brought her fingers to his lips for a kiss. She closed her eyes. Unbidden, tears seeped beneath her lashes. She had survived. Now she just needed to find out what to do next. She opened her eyes to find the blue expanse of an 73

Viola Grace ocean under their shuttle. They had come out of the valley and were now skimming a shoreline. “It’s beautiful.” “It’s my home. I was raised in a small fishing village.” He smirked. “With my brother of course.” “Why did you leave?” “When Sahvahn left to make his money as a link, I thought that it was as good a way as any to see Wyora. I had five six month assignments which were enough to make me enough money to buy my way into a guild. I chose the Import Guild and so I was there when you needed me.” “Lucky me.” She felt her lips twist in a sarcastic smile. “No, lucky me. I am most fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time to help you.” They were now over a small estate and he wheeled the shuttle around to land on a small strip. “Welcome to my home.”

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Chapter Nine

öT

his is the house that I built with my first annual commissions from the Import Trade Guild. What do you think?” He was leading her by the hand into his home and she could sense his pride in his domicile. “It’s fantastic. The way that the walls open completely to catch the breezes, the sun, the ocean and the company. It’s perfect.” Theo smiled and snuggled against his side. Their tour took them into the bedroom. What were the odds? “You may have a room to yourself if you wish.” He waved to a door down the long hallway. “Or, I would invite you to stay here with me.” “Hmm. Would that constitute abusing your hospitality?” She couldn’t stop the grin that crossed her features and slowly backed away from him, loosening the closures of her jacket and gown. “It would indeed. To have the staff make two beds when one would do is also an abuse of my 75

Viola Grace hospitality. So tread carefully.” Enjoying the show, he crossed his arms and watched her slowly shed each article of clothing that she had so painstakingly chosen for that morning. Enthralled with the attention, she turned slowly as his eyes flared in appreciation. The slip and foundation garment slithered to the floor, the stockings were unrolled and put onto the slippers that she had been wearing with deliberate care. Well, the care was coming from showing him her backside and listening to the gasp from the target of her striptease. Hands gripped her hips and she giggled as the evidence of his appreciation pressed against her ass. She circled her hips slowly and went flying onto the bed with the momentum of his deliberate shove. Now she laughed outright. “Isn’t that an abuse of your responsibility as host?” “It is my responsibility to make sure that you are comfortable and happy in my home, and I will do whatever it takes to bring that about.” His tunic hit the floor and his boots thudded to the floor one by one. The trousers flew away next and landed on her head. By the time she had batted them away he was on her. They rolled over and over like puppies, wallowing in the sheets and the feel of each other’s skin. Theo loved the velvety nap of his body. She stroked with and against the 76

Gift of Wyora direction of the hair and watched his responses each time. Finally, she grabbed his hair and brought his head to hers for a kiss that scorched their link and aroused them both to a frenzy. He finally stopped their rolling with her on top. This time she would ride him, control the pace and their pleasure. Fumbling slightly, she moved until his cock was seated at the mouth of her entrance and she slowly began to rock on him. He slipped in an inch, then another as she moved and her body produced the slick moisture that would let him all the way in. The wrestling had been fun, but this was serious now. She used her palms on his chest to help her lever her hips on him, seeking firmer contact and a better angle with every move. Finally she hit a spot within herself that made her gasp and shudder with sensation, and then she took it for a workout. She began to ride him slowly, making every slide of his cock cross that path within her channel. As the pressure within built she moved faster, sweat beading on her skin and her breasts bouncing with every move. He cupped them and thumbed her nipples lightly, the added sensation bringing a gasping whine from her throat. She sobbed as her body fought the rise in sensation. It wanted to remain still to halt the anticipation that was humming through every nerve, vein and cell of her body. Shaking with 77

Viola Grace tension, her hips stopped. Simply stopped. She couldn’t wind the coil within her any tighter. Not on her own. Pleading through the link, she begged him to end her torment. She was too desperate to laugh as he withdrew and turned her to her stomach, then on her knees. A hard thrust that whooshed the breath out of her lungs was the first foray into a pounding of her mind and body that brought a smile to her lips, between the screams. His fingers stroked her clit and she bucked and shrieked as a firestorm of pleasure buckled her limbs and left her limp and lying beneath him as he pursued his own orgasm at last. When he groaned, she felt the rod within her flex and shudder. He dropped onto her back and lay there, panting for breath with his cock occasionally twitching in reaction. “Lord Altius! We heard shouting! Are you alri…” The words did not need to be finished. A shocked silence reigned for a moment, followed by scurrying feet and a few hushed giggles. Altius groaned and rubbed his forehead against Theo’s back. “That was Sora, my housekeeper and her daughter. I don’t think they will let me forget this one.” “So you don’t entertain here that often?” Her words were muffled by the pillows, but he answered anyway. 78

Gift of Wyora “No, not as a rule. Would you mind if we stayed like this for a few days?” His lips were drawing interesting designs on the nape of her neck. She shivered as gooseflesh ran across her body and she just had to ask. “What? Are you stuck?” The giggles couldn’t be stopped. And when the tickling commenced the servants had a lot of laughter to ignore, followed by more shrieking and soft laughter. Then moans and some noises that sent them out of the house for the night. “Nope. You weren’t stuck.”

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Chapter Ten

T

he revolt of the links could only last so long, but what was left after all was settled was the first ever Link’s Guild. The priority of the Guild was to ensure the fair treatment and pay of their contracted members along with a new era of respect for the Wyoran links. As the news reports and negotiations were taking place, other species with similar problems with the over stimulation of psychic talents were applying to get their own links under contract to teach and rehabilitate their citizens. The demand for links was skyrocketing and there were only a finite amount of Wyorans willing to take on the burden. It gave Theo an idea. “Altius, how much money did I make linking for Norsa?” She trailed her finger idly down his chest, loving the feel of his velvety skin over hard muscle. Lazy mornings were made for just lying next to him and enjoying the feel of his mind within hers after his body had 80

Gift of Wyora been. “Half a million credits or so. Why?” “I was thinking of giving myself a little Christmas present.” “What is Christmas?” “A holiday back on Earth, it is an excuse to annually give presents to those you love, or to yourself. The holiday was designed to symbolize the beginning of a new year, a renewal of hope and love. It became rather commercial in the last three hundred years, and lost a bit of meaning.” She shrugged but held to her idea. “So why do you celebrate?” “It brings family and friends together, so it isn’t all bad.” She giggled as he rolled on top her, his re-aroused flesh prodding between her thighs. “I would like to bring a few things together right now, and having other people here isn’t one of them.” He shifted his hips as she spread her legs further to allow him into her. Her back arched and she sighed as he slid home. “What is this present that you wish to give yourself?” He thrust slowly, but firmly into her, his body keeping time with their joined heartbeats. She fought to keep her mind on the conversation. “I want to build a training center for links here on Wyora. Terran links.” That stopped him. “What?” She wrapped her legs around his hips and held 81

Viola Grace him within her. “Advocate Derix told me that there are six hundred more humans being inducted to the Alliance this year. Over one hundred are low level empaths, just like I am.” She arched her hips into him, coaxing him into movement. He complied with the slow steady motions that she craved. “You, my dear, are not a low level anything.” The slide and drag of his cock within her was beginning to block out his words. “Talk later, make love to me now.” She pleaded and he obliged, lowering his head to kiss her with a ravenous hunger that had woken within her and run from her mind to his. Their emotions surged through the link that opened wide as their bodies joined. Their minds merging and becoming one as their bodies pursued climax. She felt him growing closer and closer to the edge and clenched around him to propel him over into climax. As he shuddered and grunted she sighed and welcomed her own spasms of release. He slumped forward onto her and she welcomed his weight. Her arms tangled around him as her legs still gripped him. His lips nuzzled at her neck and she smiled into the bright morning, well, afternoon. They had been in bed quite a while. “Are you sure that there are Terrans who will 82

Gift of Wyora be willing to be trained as links?” His dark voice murmured into her ear and she shivered. The muscles still gripping him contracted again. “There will be a few. It is nothing that we could have done back on Earth, and the volunteers are coming to try new and different things.” With the hoarse tone of her voice, she realized that she had screamed again. It was a wonder that the servants in the house didn’t go deaf. “Is linking with Wyorans one of those things?” He lifted his head and his gold eyes sparkled in amusement. “It might be. There are ways to make it appealing for the volunteers. Having you pose nude on a recruiting poster might just be one of them.” The shock on his face as he raised his head made her laugh and he slipped from between her thighs as she giggled. As a rueful grin crossed his features he began to stroke his hands over her. In moments, he found the spot he was looking for and tickled her until she was gasping for air. The shrieking laughter had worn down to breathless gasping and she was limp as he rose to take his shower. She had things to do that afternoon or she would have joined him, but the last time she had they had been in bed for two days. Her gait had taken three to get back to normal.

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Viola Grace **** Negotiator Derix had managed to get assigned to the Wyoran Trade Wheel and visited often. Today was one of those visits. “So, you want to open a training center for links?” Derix sat across from her and watched her drink tea and eat the small cakes that were set before them. It was impossible to read the emotions through the faceplate and armour that marked the Negotiator. “Yup. Specializing in Terrans. If any will volunteer to take this on as a branch of training.” She was a bit more nervous about this than she had let on to Altius. Jumping through the hoops of Alliance paperwork was not her forte. “I think something can be arranged. The Terran Representative to the Alliance will definitely petition them to include Wyoran link training as a branch of service. It should be up and running within six months.” Theo was shocked. It was way too easy. Derix continued, “There is just one thing.” Of course there was. “You will need to remain on Wyora indefinitely and train the new links. The Alliance will demand a Terran presence here. Handing a new batch of volunteers over to a race that has not previously wanted to train Terrans will not be tolerated.” “Ah, do you think the Wyorans will go for it?” 84

Gift of Wyora Wow, she had planned to stay to get the school up and running. Her life with Altius after the link was not something she had tried to plan on. She didn’t know what he wanted from her, if anything. They had never discussed a permanent arrangement. She was afraid to even bring it up, she was enjoying being with him far too much. “They are so desperate for new links that they will go for anything. The Import Guild will just demand their cut.” Derix’s armour shrugged then stood and turned its faceplate to the ocean vista. “It is very lovely here. I can understand why you want to stay. Well, that and you are hopelessly in love with Altius. Have you told him?” “No. We share a mind, I don’t think it’s necessary.” She was lying to Derix and she knew that the Negotiator would keep her secret. “Now, onto the other thing I wanted to discuss with you. Would you come over for a Christmas party?” “You are having a Christmas party? Here?” Derix’s armour raised its arms to indicate the tropical paradise. “Where better? Feel free to invite any Terrans or friends you have in the neighbourhood. Just let me know how many are coming. Is the Reader still around?” She was referring to the Reader who had testified at Norsa’s hearing. “Reader Quill?” “She is a few systems over. I’ll pass along the invitation. Thank you by the way, it’s very 85

Viola Grace generous of you to have us over for a holiday party. I have missed them.” Derix’s voice was the bland computer generated tone, but the emotion behind the words was almost palpable. “Good. I want to have a bit of home here. Even a little. Christmas seems a good way to do it.” She hugged herself tightly and smiled, images of her childhood running through her mind. A tiny piece of home here on Wyora. What more could she want? **** “Merry Christmas, Theodora!” She opened her eyes to the bright yellow of Altius’s eyes inches from her own. He was more excited than she had ever seen him. “Get up and open your presents!” Presents? Up? She was having a problem rising this morning. Her mind reached for his and then it reeled back in shock. He was gone. She could still sense him with empathy, but not with the link. “Altius, I think something is wrong. Our link is gone!” She sat up and looked over at him. He was dressed in a green robe and looked like the embodiment of Christmas. All happy and red and green. “I know. You are completely recovered! Isn’t it wonderful?” He was practically bouncing with excitement. 86

Gift of Wyora “Uh, yeah. It is great!” Her voice was forced and she tried to sound chipper. He gave her a searching look then grabbed her hands to drag her out of bed. “Holy crap! You dressed me!” A red silken negligee had been put on her while she slept. It flowed around her ankles as they moved out of their room and down the halls. “It’s Christmas. I didn’t want any distractions.” He was hauling her to the main room and she stumbled into him when he stopped. In the center of the great room was a tree. It was close to a conifer with tiny leaves and was covered with shiny glass baubles. It was her Christmas tree. The base was covered with presents. Every color and shape of package was assembled under the tree, bows, knots, one even seemed to be wrapped in air craft cable. This explained why the servants had steered her around the great room over the last few days. The excuse that they were cleaning it for the big party which had now swelled to over sixty people had seemed plausible at the time. “Where did you find out how to do all this?” “You aren’t the only person that Advocate Derix talks to. She gave me tons of data blocks on your holidays. Well, the ones that your society followed anyway, to give me a bit of insight as to your planet and your customs.” Theo staggered over to the first chair that she 87

Viola Grace could find that was not covered by a package or parcel. “Give me a minute to take this all in.” Part of her mind rallied. “Who are all these presents for?” “For you Theodora. You buy presents for the one that you love. So these presents are for you.” He took one small parcel in his hand and knelt before her chair. “One of my gifts to you was to remove the link that was placed until you were healed. This one is because I want you in my life always and forever. I want your mind touching mine and your body touching mine every day of my life. Please, Theodora Dawson. Please, marry me.” The box opened slowly under her shaking fingers and a ring of Soulstone was nestled inside the cushioned box. The elegant gemstone symbolized the uniting of souls and, when they joined, it would show their combined soul. Carefully, she freed the ring from its velvet confines and handed it to Altius who was waiting patiently. When she extended her hand for him to put the ring on, his blinding happiness ran through her with no further effort on her own part. He was broadcasting his love and happiness long and loud. Tears were running down her face and she leaned forward to kiss him. Altius, her love, her husband. They were now betrothed. She loved the 88

Gift of Wyora feel of his mouth on hers, but fought for composure. “There are presents for you under there as well.” “I know. I have been peeking.” A small boy looked out of his face for a moment and she just knew that this would not be the last Christmas to be had on Wyora. She got to her unsteady feet and moved to the pile of parcels. She found the one that she wanted and brought it to him. It was light. A simple box with a simple ribbon. With hands trembling with emotion, she handed it to him. And waited. He opened the gift and was a little perplexed as he drew out the chain with a heart on in. He turned the pendant in the light and caught the engraving. My Heart, My Love, My Soul was emblazoned on one side of the pendant. My Life was the other. “Truly? You truly love me?” Tears welled in the eyes of her lover. “Since the moment that we had tea while Norsa was sporting around on the ship. I like you because you were my friend, but I love you because you care for my health, my emotions and my safety.” Unable to hold back anymore, she rushed forward to hug him in a hug that lasted for long minutes until he was unable to contain himself.” “Will you open the rest of your presents now?” She obliged and realized, within several gifts, that the Wyorans had some very daring lingerie 89

Viola Grace designers and he had visited every one of them. She gave him a book filled with his family genealogy and room for more. Along with a new shirt that matched her eyes. It made him look harsh and strong, and oh so deserving of countless strokes. When they had opened all their gifts, they brought them into the bedroom to sort through them. He had out gifted her fifty to one, but he was thrilled with his presents. And the gift was in the giving. She tried to start a little thank you party using a negligee with strategically placed cuts to entice him, but he would have none of it. Friends were coming and they needed to get ready for the party. The fishing village offered accommodation to those who lived too far to travel home in one night and for those who were too drunk to travel. They had organized an escort set up to deliver the right guest to the right house. It was well planned, now they were just waiting for the guests. **** Derix cornered her halfway through the party. The buffet was in full swing and several locals had also been invited to express their ideas on the new school for links in their area. They were all for it. “So, how was Christmas morning?” 90

Gift of Wyora “Well, I lost a link, but I am gaining a husband. So it’s even.” She smiled and looked down at her ring fondly. “He asked me how to propose to you months ago you know. I told him that Christmas would be the best chance. You would be feeling the love and the fellowship.” “So you didn’t tell him I was in love with him?” “It was one part of your mind he would never invade. He had to hope like anyone else that you would say yes.” “How did you like your present? It was hard to find.” “Turtle wax. I’ll have the techs buff me up at the next maintenance cycle.” The armoured limbs reached out and Theo took the hug. “Your school will have its first human students in three months, will you be ready?” “Yeah, Sahvahn has been helping out and donating copies of books. The construction is almost done, the dorms are the last things to go in. It will be ready when they arrive.” “What is your max capacity?” “Twenty students. No more.” “Good, they will be hitting basic training this week and will be ready for you to take over shortly thereafter.” “How many to start with?” “There are six in this batch, but there are a few 91

Viola Grace members of the Citadel that are looking to find a retirement job that is lower stress. This qualifies.” Theo hadn’t even considered that. There were already trained members who had done their original contract time who may want a change. “What are you calling it?” “What? Oh. The Institute of the Open Mind.” Laughter emanated from the armour. She wheezed, she giggled and she rocked back and forth. Theo no longer doubted that Derix was a woman. With the Negotiator laughing, the rest of the guests left their conversations to ask what was so funny. And Theo told them. “I am opening a link training center here for Terrans. It will be called the Institute of the Open Mind.” Congratulations and laughter reigned for the rest of the weekend. When the last guest left and it was only Theo and Altius, he took her and held her in his arms. “What was your best present this Christmas?” She thought for a long moment. The friends, the fellowship the food? “My best gift was you, Altius. You and Wyora.”

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About the Author Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there. Her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain maille, and a few others that have been forgotten. Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. A brilliant mind, with a twisted sense of humor.