Jessie visited Looch every day. Whenever she went, someone was always by his side, whether it was his mother, fathers or Zara. Everyone loved and admired Looch and wanted to help see him through this. Arenian warriors who respected his leadership and fighting skills came to visit. If not to see their ailing comrade, then the warriors lent support to the royal family. While others spoke to the equally respected Leigh to let him know all he had to do is ask for help, and they will be at the palace to assist in any way possible. 

One day as Jessie went with Leigh to visit Looch, Zara was already there sitting in a chair next to him. Leigh brought a chair over to the other side of Looch and stood beside her as she sat. Zara eyed Jessie wearily, and then turned her gaze to Leigh. “Is there any more news on Looch’s condition?”

Leigh shook his head. “No more than we already knew. We can’t seem to find out what plant the poison was derived from, but Lyon, Lian and I are working on it. We will find it and whoever did this will pay for his betrayal.” Leigh brushed a hand over Jessie’s cheek. “I’d like to get back to my research, which is just across the hall. Would you like me to escort you back to our room or would you prefer to stay here for a while?”

Jessie looked pointedly at Zara. “I’ll stay here, if it’s okay with you, Zara.”

Zara’s eyes flashed with surprise. “Of course, you may stay Princess Jessie.”

Leigh nodded to both ladies and left them in silence. After several minutes of the uncomfortable silence, Jessie couldn’t stand it anymore and blurted out, “On Earth, we believe even though someone is unconscious they can still hear you, so you still need to talk to them. Tell them…” Emotion suddenly clamped down on Jessie’s heart. With tears brimming in her eyes, she looked at Zara who was intently looking back. “How much they…mean to you… and how special…they are.”

Zara reached her hand out towards Jessie. Jessie grabbed onto it like a lifeline. Jessie was so different from Zara, and yet they seemed to be one in the same. They both had significant loss in their lives. She just hoped they wouldn’t lose Looch.

From that day forward, they both decided to meet every day so they could sit with Looch together and did so for the next two and a half weeks. Jessie had come to know Zara as a friend and hoped Zara felt the same way. Zara seemed to confide in Jessie. It wasn’t easy for Zara to open up, but somehow she found the courage to talk about how she lost her mother. It was a horrific tale Jessie will never forget.

“My fathers, mother and I were on holiday at the northern snow palace.” Zara gave Jessie a sad smile. “The palace is exquisite. You should ask Prince Leigh to take you some time. During the summer solstice, the northern snow palace is still cold, but very beautiful. Everything is so clean, crisp and white including the palace itself.”

“We were all having such a great time. Laughing and relaxing, which is something my family did not do on a regular basis. After a couple of nights at the palace, my fathers went hunting. Since my fathers are prominent councilmen most of the warriors went with them for added protection.  Only two warriors stayed in the palace with mother and I. There would be no need for extra protection for us since we’re female. No one would dare harm a female since there are so few of us on the planet.”

Zara took a deep breath and shakily exhaled. “Or so we thought.  Fathers were due back later that day from hunting orax. I was out on a walk through the delicate gardens there at the palace. I was admiring the wildlife in the gardens when I heard my mother scream for help from the open doors on the second-floor veranda. I ran as fast as I could to try and get to her.” Zara erupted with a cynical laugh. “What was I going to do? I’m just a female. I guess it didn’t matter anyway because, by the time I taught her, it was too late. There, lying motionless on the crisp white floor was my mother, in a pool of blood. Her throat was slit. She bled out in seconds. The screams I heard when I was trying to get to her was someone beating her.”

Tears were freely flowing down Zara’s face. “They don’t know how long I lay next to mother, but one thing was for sure when I awoke I had my mother’s necklace on and I’ve never taken it off since.”

Zara took a long pregnant pause, “They never found out who killed her, but they think it was due to my father’s political connections. Later I’d find out that at the time, my fathers were the deciding vote on a controversial multi-world trade agreement. We went to the snow palace so my fathers could clear their heads and reflect on the issue they were voting on. No one knew the vote would ultimately kill my mother. Someone had sent an assassin to make sure my fathers understood they needed to vote a certain way. Even after my mother was killed, my fathers continued to receive death threats towards me. In the end, my fathers voted to pass the measure to save my life.”

Zara squared her shoulders a little, then gave Jessie a small smile. “Queen Maya and my mother, Ora had a close bond, so when mother died, Queen Maya insisted my fathers, and I come live in the palace with Looch and Leigh. She has been such a great mother figure to me. Most Arenian women wouldn’t bother helping a young female since I still had my fathers to raise me. In their eyes, I was provided for, but Queen Maya gave me love and affection only a mother could give.”

Jessie rose from her chair and walked over to Zara and hugged her. “I’m so sorry Zara. I lost my mom too. If anyone knows how hard it’s to lose their mother, it’s me. If you ever want to talk or just cry I hope you come to me.”

“Thank you, Jessie. You have no idea how much it means to me, especially the way my fathers have acted towards you. If you can imagine, Arenian females have very few friends, and females who grow up in the palace have even fewer.”

Jessie was shocked Zara would say anything about the situation with her fathers. She pulled back from their hug and looked at Zara with inquisitive eyes. “Do you love Looch?”

It was Zara’s turn to be surprised. “Jessie…I…uh…I don’t know what to say. I do love Looch, but not in the way you think. Looch and Leigh are like brothers to me. I grew up with both of them. I honestly don’t understand why my father agreed to a bonding period. It is clear you’re Looch and Leigh’s ayah. My father could have asked for almost anything for restitution, but he agreed to Looch’s declaration without any reservations. It makes no sense.”

Zara whispered the last part to Jessie and looked around like they were being watched. Jessie seemed to pick up the Zara’s vibe because she winked at Zara in understanding and said, “Who knows why parents do what they do. They just want the best for their children. I’m sorry to cut our talk so short, but I’d like to see how Leigh is coming along with an antidote.”

Zara stood and bowed quickly to Jessie, “Yes, Princess Jessie. I must leave as well. My father needs me.” Jessie couldn’t be for sure, but Zara looked rattled when she left the room.

~~~~~~~~

During the past two and half weeks, while Jessie was visiting Looch; Riley, Lian, and Lyon were hard at work trying to find an antidote to wake Looch. Riley was in the lab with Lian and Lyon to see if they could determine the plant used in the potion Looch ingested. Once they found out what plant it was, Riley had to have Lian and Lyon who were all intents and purposes medical doctors, translate scientific names and uses for the indigenous flora. It was daunting, to say the least.

Riley could tell you about every studied flora on planet Earth. How tall it grew, how much sun it needed, if it was edible, if it was poisonous, what the antidote flora would be for it and where it could be found on Earth. Here, not so much. Lian and Lyon were trying their best, but she just really needed to submerge herself in the books, so that’s what she did.

When Riley was in the zone as she liked to call it she barely ate or slept. Although no one had pressured her to find a solution to Looch’s predicament, Riley was her own worst critic and pushed herself harder than anyone else would.

Jessie would regularly come by to check on Riley and to at least keep her hydrated. A couple of times Jessie had to convince Lian to slip a sleeping pill into Riley’s drink so she’d get some rest. Jessie had observed this scene way too many times to count.  After the last two and a half weeks of working towards finding an antidote, Jessie could tell Riley was close. When Riley was finishing things up, she needed the most care because everything else didn’t matter except what she was working on.

At the start of the third week, Lian and Lyon were growing concerned for Riley’s physical well-being. Even after drugging Riley a couple of times so that she could sleep, Riley had huge dark circles under her eyes, her scent was now pungent from lack of hygiene, and both Lian and Lyon could tell she’d lost a considerable amount of weight in the short time.

Lian and Lyon were speaking to Leigh and Jessie about their concerns with Riley when she burst through the door holding up a piece of paper. “I found it, Jessie. I’ve found it.”

Jessie could tell all of Riley’s fight and determination had left her. In its place, exhaustion and malnutrition had crept in. Jessie almost screeched to Lyon who was closest to Riley. “Grab her; she’s going to fall.”

Sure enough, Riley took two more steps and fell into Lyon’s arms, exhaustion taking over. As Lyon picked Riley up and cradled her like a child, Jessie rushed over and cleared a path on a nearby table so Lyon could lay her down. Lian took her vitals with a handheld healing unit. After a moment Riley’s eyes fluttered open. “I know the antidote. I just need to make it.” Riley whispered.

Leigh came forward and gave Riley a lopsided smile. “Riley, I can’t in good conscious let you place your life in danger to save my brother’s. He would say the same thing if he were in my position. You are too essential to the survival of this planet to endanger yourself foolishly. Looch’s condition has not changed. One or two more days are not going to matter. As prince of Arenia, I’m ordering you to rest. You’ll be in the healing bay with Sloane and Looch so you may keep an eye on them both if you wish, but you will rest and take nourishment.”

It looked like Riley was about to argue when Jessie put it into perspective. “I agree with Leigh and to add to that, you need a shower girl. You reek.” Riley looked at Jessie with humor in her eyes.

Riley winked at Jessie. “I smell like roses and rainbows.”

Lyon wrinkled his nose and turned to Lian, telling him in no uncertain terms, “Sloane is never to smell of roses or rainbows.”

Jessie and Riley laughed a bit. “All kidding aside Riley, do you have enough strength for me to help you shower?”

“Ayah, let me call Meesa to help you. I don’t want you hurting yourself. Looch will be upset with me if you were hurt.”

Once Meesa helped Jessie get Riley showered, and in bed, Meesa brought some food and drink to help nourish Riley back to health. While Riley was eating, Leigh, Jessie, Lyon, and Lian were sitting at the end of the bed listening to Riley explain the plant which will act as an antidote for Looch.

Riley was all smiles when she finally got everything off her chest about the antidote. On the contrary Leigh, Lyon, and Lian had scowls on their faces. “What’s the matter? Why aren’t you smiling?”

Leigh was the first to speak. “Have you told anyone about your discovery?”

“Of course not.” Riley shrieked.

Leigh raised his hands in surrender. “The reason I ask Riley is due to the type of plant you speak of. The yahmo plant has been widely extinct in the wild for some years now. It is only grown in private collections. If what you say is true there are only a handful of Arenians who produce this plant in the world, and just about three of those Arenians are in the immediate area. This makes one of those three a potential suspect in poisoning Looch.”

“I said yahmo was the antidote, not the cause of Looch’s ailment.”

Lyon spoke up, “You are correct Riley, but there’s no need to grow yahmo unless you have the poisonous plant, sertave within your garden. The other thing we must take into consideration is yahmo can’t be ingested. It must be applied directly to the poisoned area. With Looch being asleep I’m unsure as to where to apply yahmo.”

It was Jessie’s turn to speak. “So it’s basically like an aloe vera plant on a sunburn?”

Jessie could tell the wheels were turning in Riley’s head. “I’ll make a massage oil out of it, and you’ll apply it, Jessie.”

“What?”

Recognition dawned on Leigh’s face. “Of course, ayah.” Leigh pulled Jessie’s face up to his for a sweet kiss. “This is the reason the Goddess has sent you to us ayah. You and Riley both are going to save Looch. Riley will make the antidote, and you’ll massage it onto Looch’s body.”

Jessie looked at Leigh with fear etched on her face. “Riley is assuming that’ll work. What happens if it doesn’t?”

“As you Earthlings say it, we will go back to the drawing board. It will not harm Looch. The only thing we will need to worry about is Looch and Zara are still within their bonding period. You must get permission from Zara to perform such an act.”

“Are you serious? Can’t your mother order it or better yet, can’t you order it since you’re a healer and a Prince?”

“It’s not that simple Jessie. A bonding period isn’t something we take lightly. It’s exclusivity between the partners. If Zara were in the same situation as Looch, you’d need to ask his permission before administering any type of treatment.” Leigh took several moments looking thoughtfully. “I’m going to suggest you give Zara a massage.” Leigh brought his hands up to silence the objection about to come from Jessie. “It’s so she understands what will take place. If she knows it’s only to help Looch she’ll be more amenable to the idea.”

Riley looked at Jessie with understanding in her eyes. Riley knew this would be difficult for Jessie to do, but also knew it had to be done. Riley winked at Jessie and finally blurted, “Suck it up buttercup. Looch needs your help.”

Jessie huffed, “Ok I’ll do it.”

When Jessie talked to Zara about massaging her, she wasn’t very receptive, but finally consented. Leigh had fashioned a padded massage table, complete with heat and a bolster. Zara was laying face up on the table with a sheet clutched tightly over the top of her. Jessie gave Zara a soft smile. “You look nervous Zara. Don’t worry; I won’t hurt you and by the time I get done, you won’t want to get up because you’ll be too relaxed. I promise.” Zara nodded and gave Jessie a half-hearted smile. “Okay, Zara let’s begin. I’m going to start on your head and face, so you know what to expect. Are you warm enough?” Zara gave Jessie another slight nod. “Alright, I’m just going to start massaging your scalp. You tell me if the pressure is too much or too light. Also, try and relax your arms and take them out from under the sheet. This will help release tension on your shoulders.”

When Zara complied, Jessie noticed Zara was still wearing her mother’s necklace. “Zara, won’t you be more comfortable taking off the necklace? It might get in the way of your massage.”

Zara looked like she was about to cry. “I want to keep it on.”

“No problem Zara, there’s nothing to get excited over. I’ll just work around it.” Jessie started Zara’s massage first with her scalp and face. By the time Jessie reached Zara’s arms, she was almost asleep. While Zara’s eyes were closed enjoying the Jessie’s manipulations, Jessie noticed Zara’s necklace didn’t move at all. A handful of her massage clients would leave their jewelry on, and when the client was face up the necklace would slip into the hollow of their throat. Zara’s necklace seemed to be glued in place. “That’s odd.” Thought Jessie.

Jessie continued to massage Zara, covering and uncovering arms and legs as she went. Finally, Jessie had Zara roll over onto her stomach so she could massage Zara’s back and shoulders. Jessie placed the sheet just above Zara’s buttocks lightly tucking the sides under her. Jessie took a long stroke down her back near Zara’s spine, then stroked back up Zara’s sides, when she noticed Zara’s body jolt, then tense. “Zara, are you alright? What’s the matter?”

With Zara’s head down in the face hole, it was hard to hear, but Jessie thought for sure she heard a whimper of pain from Zara. Jessie brought the sheet back over Zara’s body and slowly helped Zara up to a sitting position. When she did, she looked at Zara’s tear-stained face. “I’m so sorry Zara; I never meant to hurt you. A massage is supposed to be relaxing and therapeutic. “

Zara shook her head vehemently. “Your massage was wonderful. I fell yesterday, and it seems I hurt my ribs.”

Jessie was utterly perplexed. “Why didn’t you go to a healer so they could put you in a healing bay?”

“I’ve been busy attending Looch.”

Something didn’t add up. “Zara, I’m calling Leigh in to help you. You need medical attention.”

Zara all but screamed. “No! I’m fine. There’s no need to burden Leigh with my frivolous clumsiness.”

“Zara, I have no choice. I can’t just leave you to suffer.” Jessie grabbed her comlink and told Leigh Zara needed healing. Jessie and Zara didn’t say a word to each other while waiting for Leigh.

When Leigh arrived, he noticed two things; one, Zara’s scent was intermingled with Jessie’s and making Leigh almost queasy and two, Leigh saw the tears cascading down Zara’s face and yet he couldn’t scent anything wrong with her. Leigh rushed to Zara’s side with his handheld healing unit to access her condition. In turn, Zara gripped the sheet tightly around her.  Leigh looked at the handheld then to Jessie with a frown.  “Zara, the readings show you have four cracked ribs. Your pain must be excruciating. Why did you not come to the healing ward?”

Before Zara could answer, Jessie interjected. “Wait. What do you mean ‘Your pain must be excruciating.’ You can’t tell?”

Zara bowed her head and her eyes focused on the floor. Leigh looked at Jessie with pleading eyes then spoke in such a gentle tone towards Zara. “How are you hurt this bad and yet I can’t scent your pain, Zara? It doesn’t make any sense. Please explain Zara. I’ll understand my dear friend.”

Once the words left Leigh’s lips, Zara cried out in pain and grabbed at her neck and convulsed back on the table almost falling off. Leigh stood there dumbfounded on what to do, but Jessie put it all together in a second. “Get the necklace off her!”

Leigh immediately jumped into action to try and get the necklace off Zara. Zara thrashed about, jerking in pain. Leigh grabbed at the necklace and was assaulted by the same electrical shock Zara was. Try as he might, he couldn’t get the necklace off.

Jessie noticed Leigh’s struggle and felt powerless to help Zara and Leigh. She took in the horrifying scene in front of her. Suddenly she noticed the huge black jewel in the center of Zara’s necklace glowing red. “Leigh, the pendant!  Break the pendant!”

Leigh stopped trying to pry the necklace off Zara’s neck and grabbed his tractin turned it around and brought the cap down on the big black stone. The stone shattered like glass. Once the pendant was demolished the necklace released from Zara’s neck. When the necklace was free from Zara’s body, her pain and pent-up emotions flowed from her. Leigh fell to his knees overwhelmed by the scent of Zara’s anguish.

Jessie was immediately on her comlink calling Lyon and Lian to their location and got down on the floor with Leigh. “Lian and Lyon are on their way, just hang in there. They’ll know what to do.”

Leigh took several ragged breaths. “Zara… they… must sedate Zara. Her scent is too overwhelming.”

Jessie peeked at Zara. She was still writhing in pain on the massage table.  Jessie just noticed she was still screaming and crying. Just then, Lian and Lyon burst through the door and Lian went to his knees as well. Jessie could tell Lyon was struggling too, but he managed to get to Zara and inject her with a sedative.

As Zara calmed then finally fell unconscious, the men started to breathe easier. Lian spoke first, “What in all molinka was that?”

Leigh slowly rose from his knees. “We must find Councilman Cerin. He’s to blame for Zara’s pain. He will pay for his heinous crime towards Zara. Although I’ve nothing to prove it, I think Cerin poisoned Prince Looch.”