The Dedicated Chp 2
Tasia entered the room that had been prepared for her and her mate, Rhys T’rar, and leaned against the door with a sigh when it shut. Rhys looked up from the computer screen he had been studying. Their luminous eyes met, and hours of communication flashed in their minds in a matter of minutes.
“I really had no idea it was this bad,” Tasia breathed softly. “Everyone concerned thought it was a good idea at the time.”
“Everyone but the two people that it really affected,” Rhys told her with a slight smile. He stood up and moved toward her with the feline grace common to their people. “Those two were against it from the start, but they agreed out of duty and loyalty. And they have solidified the broken empire. Everything that you hoped to accomplish through the union has happened. The only thing gone awry is their personal relationship, and that really is no concern of yours. I know you feel it is,” he told her when he saw and felt her about to object to his words, “but you cannot interfere. I too sensed the tension between them, but from what I gathered from your mind, it could possibly be detrimental to interfere.”
He stood before her and held his hands up to her, palms outward. Longing for the contact, Tasia eagerly placed her hands on his, their palms touching.
“Now, about Lord Fallar’s new treaty. There is really not that much that has changed from the old one. The only major difference is the inclusion of the Catalona system. It seems that since our last treaty, they have made great headway in some of their social and economic problems. I believe a first contact is imminent. Lord Fallar suggests that in five years the time would be right if they continue on their present course of advancement. I tend to agree with him. He has a keen mind. If he would only let go of the anger that controls his mind. It’s almost painful to be in the same room with him, especially if Lady Fallar is present. Between the two of them, and their intense emotions toward each other, I can hardly think straight.”
He clasped her hands tightly in his own, and smiled at her. “Being with the two of them makes me even more thankful I have you. The Triad was wise when they joined us.”
Tasia smiled fondly at her mate. She unwound her fingers from Rhys’ and moved to the window. The sunlight that fell across the garden came through the window and caressed her cool skin, warming her. She wrapped her pale arms around herself. “We spend too much time aboard ships, dear. I don’t feel the warmth of sunlight enough anymore. Perhaps after this series of negotiations we should vacation on our homeworld for a time, don’t you agree?” She felt Rhys’ smile, and his agreement, even if she couldn’t see his face. She felt his gentle touch in her mind, and the soft, unspoken words of his chiding.
You really can’t interfere in their personal relationship, dearest. I know you worry about Lady Fallar’s safety, but if you really thought about it, you’d realize that Lord Fallar would never hurt her. Unfortunately, it is the cost of keeping the peace that we all worked so hard for. Lord Fallar is a good man; perhaps someday he can learn to let go of all the anger in his heart.
The concern and almost-fear emanating from Tasia pulled at Rhys’ heart, and he barely heard her faint response. I fear it may be too late for Jannelle’s sake.
Rhys took his mate’s shoulders and turned her around firmly. “I don’t want to hear you think that way. Jannelle is a strong woman, even if she doesn’t know it. You may help her realize that, but you must not interfere with her relationship. You must promise me that you won’t.” He stared deeply into her eyes until he felt her agreement.
“I understand, but I don’t have to like it. I feel responsible, but I agree,” she told him firmly. Her gaze drifted to the computer screen on the desk near the other window. The desk sat in front of the tall, wide window, so the bright sunlight could pour in and gleam on the shiny surface of the dark wood. The computer sat on the desk, looking incongruous next to an ancient statuette. Tasia walked over and turned the screen around to see its contents. She scanned them briefly, and commented to Rhys, “So you approve of the basic content?”
“There are only a few minor points that we need to discuss. It is basically the same as our previous agreement. Lord Fallar won’t discuss any more business this day, so that gives us the rest of the evening to decide on which points to discuss with him tomorrow. Do you plan on joining us, or will you spend more time with Lady Fallar?”
Tasia heaved a long sigh, and said, “I don’t know. I imagine that after the morning’s activities tomorrow, I’ll be spending the day in talk with you and Jared. Although it would be wonderful to be in the sunlight and fresh air all morning. Being an empath turns into a burden around those two.” She smiled to take the sting from her words, but Rhys felt the truth in them and silently agreed with her. “So let us get to work then, dear. I want to have a firm plan when we meet tomorrow for discussion.”
Rhys nodded and pulled a seat over to join Tasia at the desk. He manipulated the controls of the computer and scrolled the screen forward to a certain point. “I want to talk about this portion in particular with you,” he said, and their hours of work began.