CHAPTER 11
N ikki closed her eyes and rested her head against the edge of the bathing pool. The smooth stone surface was cool and in stark contrast to the warm water lapping at her chin. Steam rose into the air, invading her senses and calming her racing mind. She sighed and slipped further into the carved tub.
Sheri had shown Nikki to her room then dropped her off at the bathing hall. Geez, the things Sheri had told her—a planet called Lemuria, a war over Earth’s water, their goddess Alora, Gossum, Stiyaha, Panthera, the great scourge, the list was endless. What a fantastical tale. At first Nikki hadn’t believed Sheri, hadn’t wanted to, but as Sheri continued to explain, all the details fit together.
Nikki gnawed on the inside of her lip. I can never go back to my old life.
A thickness coated the back of her throat. She opened her eyes to blink away the tears. Although she didn’t have a lot of friends, she’d miss Jasmine. Did her work buddy find a ranger to search for her? They’d never find any trace.
Sadness beat at Nikki’s spirit, but as she peered at the steaming tub, hope, small and brief, flared to life inside. Maybe she’d find a family here with a male. Then again, maybe not. She’d been alone most of her life. To think, hope, and dream this would be any different begged for trouble.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she glanced around for a towel, suddenly eager to escape.
Tables set against the far wall contained stacks of linens and an assortment of personal cleansers, lotions, and perfumes. Preparing to get out, she placed her hand on the edge of the stone tub. The rhinestones in her bracelet shimmered in the light, reminding her of the mark on Gaetan’s arm. Soon, she’d see him. A shiver rippled over her skin, and the water in the tub bubbled, slow at first, then faster and faster.
Adrenaline spiked along Nikki’s nerves. She bolted from her seat and scrambled over the edge. Her bare feet landed on the stone tile with a loud, wet slap, and she had to grip the edge of the tub to maintain her balance. The water in the pool stilled, as if nothing unusual had occurred. My special power… She still couldn’t believe this happened, but she couldn’t deny what she’d seen.
Water dripped from her hair onto the stone floor. She carefully stepped to the towels and grabbed one. The cloth, soft and comfy, wrapped around her like a lover. She used another for her hair, wringing out as much water as she could.
Practice, that’s what Sheri had said.
Nikki glanced into the tub. Small ripples bounced against the stone sides from when she’d jumped from the water, calming as each second passed. Could she make them bubble again?
She concentrated on the water, straining her mind. The waves on the surface continued to slow, barely a wrinkle. Frustrated, she exhaled and threw up her hands.
The water rippled. Sheri had mentioned emotion could be a trigger. Memories of Gaetan holding her close, his lips brushing against her neck, raced through her mind. A rush of heat ran from her chest and into her cheeks. Her breathing increased, and the water bubbled and frothed.
The door squeaked. Quick, padded footsteps approached.
Nikki’s concentration broke. The water stilled, and she turned toward the source of the interruption.
A small female, not more than three feet tall, came to an abrupt halt. She was curvaceous, wearing a brown dress and held a stack of towels in her arms. Shoulder-length brown hair cascaded around her shoulders. Her coffee-colored eyes widened. “Oh, my, I didn’t expect to find you in here, but no matter. It’s a pleasure to meet you, dear. My name is Bet.”
The small female curtsied then placed the towels on the rack. An inviting, warm smile curled her lip. “You must be Nikki. I’ve heard all about you.”
Nikki stiffened. “You’ve heard about me?”
“Well, of course, dear. News travels quickly in the Keep.” Bet moved closer, her small feet moving faster than Nikki would’ve thought possible. “Is there anything I can get for you?”
Self-conscious, Nikki took a step toward her clothes draped across a nearby wooden chair. “Just need a moment to, ah,” she pointed at her pants and top, “get dressed.”
Bet’s gaze roamed over the towel then her eyes widened. “Oh, dear, don’t mind me, I have a few chores to do.” The small female turned her back and worked on straightening the towels on a nearby rack.
Nikki took the brief opportunity and threw on the clothes Sheri had given her. She wrung her hair, squeezing out more water, and peered at Bet.
Bet’s shoulders tensed, and a soft sob slipped from her lips.
So caught up in her own private world, Nikki had forgotten that others also had problems. She flicked her wet hair over her shoulder and approached the little female. “What’s wrong? Can I help?”
Bet sniffed and wiped at her eyes. She straightened, turned to face Nikki, and smiled, but the effort seemed forced. “It’s nothing to concern you, dear. Oh, you need a brush,” she grabbed one off a nearby table, “here. I picked this one up from a merchant yesterday, before I heard that—” A sorrowful wail escaped her lips.
Nikki bent down and wrapped the small female in her arms. Bet shook, her tears dampening Nikki’s sweater. After a long moment, Bet pulled back.
“I’m s…sorry, dear. You didn’t need to see that. I—”
“What has you so upset?” Bet’s tears reminded Nikki of her brother, and a wave of empathy spurned a desire to help the female.
“King Noeh, he’s gone…dead, and so is Queen Melissa.” Her mouth quivered. “I don’t know what we’ll do without them, and, Anlon, our little prince, he’s missing.”
Nikki placed her hands on Bet’s shoulders and gave the other female a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry for your loss. I didn’t know. Is there anything I can do?”
Bet blinked. “Perhaps there is. Many of us are worried about Gaetan.”
Coldness prickled along Nikki’s arms. Her grip tightened on Bet’s shoulders. “What do you mean?”
Bet’s eyes flitted back and forth as she searched Nikki’s features. “He watched after Anlon when the newb disappeared. Gaetan is a very responsible male. He may blame himself for what transpired. Maybe you can talk to him, make him understand it’s not his fault.”
“Why me?” Although she felt this odd attraction to him, she didn’t know him, not well anyway.
“He brought you here, so he must care for you.” Bet’s words weaseled inside Nikki. It wasn’t possible. There was no way Gaetan cared for her. If her father couldn’t, who could? Yet, she couldn’t deny how her loneliness eased when she was around him.
“I don’t know.”
“Would you try? Please?” A hopeful gleam lit up Bet’s eyes.
Nikki sighed. There was no way she could refuse those puppy dog eyes. “All right. I’ll do my best.”
“Thank you.” Bet wrapped her arms around Nikki’s waist. After a few moments, Bet pulled back. A soft giggle, filled with relief, eased from her. “Here,” she held out the brush, “you still need this.”
Nikki smiled and accepted the small gift from her new friend. “Thank you, Bet.” Whether she could help Gaetan or not remained to be seen.