by Twila

Feedback is always welcome: twila@e-scribblers.com.

Copyright © 2009 by Twila. All Rights Reserved.

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“You called, Your Majesty?” Talah bowed, grinning at her Queen.

“We’re in my quarters, Talah. Stop with the bowing,” Myla scolded, but ruined it by laughing. “Come talk with me my friend.”

Talah took a seat across from her long-time friend. They’d learned over the years how to balance their friendship and their professional roles. “What concerns you, Myla?”

“I wanted your opinion,” Myla began and then stopped, stuck for how to continue.

“This is about Kylker, right?” Talah asked softly, but gave Myla a little grin.

“Yes.”

“You like her,” Talah stated. She hadn’t missed her Queen’s responses to Kylker. Myla had never reacted to another woman the way she had with Kylker. Talah could tell she was enamored. She only hoped that Kylker would choose to stay.

“Yes, more than I thought I’d ever like someone,” Myla agreed softly. She looked up into the warm brown eyes of her fried. “I think I’m falling for her, Talah. What am I going to do?”

“What do you mean?” Talah asked, confused. “If she doesn’t stay, you mean?”

“Not only that, Talah, but she’s an off-worlder. What will our people say?”

“Our people won’t say anything, Myla. You are Queen. You are entitled to fall in love with anyone you wish. It’s your decision and your heart, not theirs,” Talah stated firmly.

“I’m afraid they will think I’ve betrayed them. She wasn’t born here. How can I ever think of a future and possibly children with someone not of our world?” Myla put her head in her hands, trying to keep her grief at bay.

Talah left her chair to sit next to her friend and wrapped her arms around her “It doesn’t matter if she wasn’t born here. She’s more of our world and values than some of our own.”

Myla raised her head and looked at Talah with tears in her eyes.

“What if she decides to leave, Talah? What will I do?”

Talah hugged her tighter. “You’ll manage, Myla. I realize you’ve never been this drawn to anyone and I pray with everything in me that Kylker decides to stay, for a hundred reasons. But, if she doesn’t, then we will manage.”

Myla was quiet for a while.

“I think if she does decide to go, you need to tell her how you feel.” Talah said, but Myla shook her head emphatically. “Yes, Myla, this is not something you keep from her. She has a right to know, Myla.”

“We’ll see,” Myla conceded, doubtfully.

“Good enough for now.”

They were quiet for a little while, Talah comforting Myla by holding her.

“Did you give Kylker a time frame to decide in?” Talah asked quietly sometime later.

“Not really. I thought I’d ask her in a few days. What do you really think she’ll do?”

“I think she’ll stay,” Talah said, “but I don’t know if it will be permanently. She doesn’t have anyone or anything to leave for but I get the feeling that she doesn’t believe she belongs here. That may be her reason for leaving.”

“How do we convince her that she does belong here?” Myla asked hopefully.

Talah grinned at her. “I’m not really sure, but I’ll let you know if I think of anything.”

To Be Continued....

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