Free Vareen & Mica (The Alliance Book 2) by Stormy McKnight Page B

reason. Don’t blame yourself for what your mother did. Can you tell me if
others are still being held for this realignment?”
    Cali sniffled a few times, “No. When the males from Titus rescued those
being held at the Realignment Center the destruction was quite…intensive. My
mother was forced by the people to modify the new law she’d tried to implement,
but she kept her hold on the council. Those with emotions are going to be
allowed to leave Cestori. They aren’t welcome to stay and spread their
emotional propaganda, but they won’t be punished if they leave. My father is
helping to relocate them to Atheon. Conndra, Markus, Tobias, Nellia, and
Phineath are all either on Atheon or traveling between the two worlds to help.”
    “I’m not surprised that your mother retained power. The people don’t see
her reforms as wrong. They see her as some type of hero trying to maintain
their way of life.”
    “I’m just sorry that you were caught in the crosshairs of our fight,”
Cali squeezed her hand.
    Jaden interrupted their discussion. “I think Vareen has been through
enough for one day.” He had a stern look on his face.
    “I’m not sure how long you’ll be kept here, but I’ll come back and visit
as much as possible.” Cali hugged her tightly and left the room. The tall male
followed her and Vareen felt a pang of something when he squeezed Cali’s
shoulder reassuringly. Her friend and the male were obviously close, but who
was he?
    With the door closed again, Vareen looked around uncertainly, “Am I to
stay here in the hospital? I meant to ask earlier but got sidetracked. Where
exactly am I? What ship is this?”
    “You aren’t on a ship. You are in Takari, at the main medical facility, ” Jaden spoke softly. “The planet is
Titus.”
    “I’m on Titus?” Vareen tilted her head, her senses reeling. “Isn’t that a
planet of barbarians?”
    Realizing that what she’d said was highly insulting her fingers flew to
cover her mouth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that.”
    “It’s okay , ” Jaden assured her. “As
for where you’ll be staying, for now, this is home sweet home. Until we make sure you’re able to handle the outside
world at least.”
    Vareen couldn’t see any logical reason to argue against staying. She was
on a strange planet, in an unknown city, with memory and emotional problems.
“That’s probably for the best.”
    Jaden stood up and gently grabbed her shoulder. “We’re going to have to
explore the limits of what you can handle. Are you up for that?”
    “Yes,” Vareen nodded. “I just want to try to get as much of my life back
as possible. When do we start?”
    “Tomorrow. I’ll see you first thing. Until then you need to get some
rest.” Jaden moved to the door . “Doctor’s orders,” he smiled kindly.
    Vareen found herself smiling back. As if the doctor could order her to
rest. Tapping two fingers to her forehead
in a salute she quipped, “Yes Sir.”
    The doctor left the room laughing.

 
    Chapter Eleven
    “I don’t like it,” Mica was pacing in front of the mirrored window to
Vareen’s room. Drake and Cali stood impassively watching the doctor and Vareen
talking. “Does he have to flirt with her?”
    “He’s not flirting with her,” Drake defended the doctor. “He’s explaining
her condition without explaining everything. It’s a fine line he’s trying to walk.”
    “Tomorrow.
I’ll see you first thing. Until then try to get some rest.” The words came through the intercom system where they
were listening.
    Mica was relieved. The doctor was going to
leave.
    “Doctor’s
orders.”
    Mica looked furiously at Drake, one
eyebrow raised.
    “That was just being friendly.”
    Mica was even more enraged when Vareen
smiled back. His   heart constricted
painfully when she tapped two fingers to her forehead in a salute. “Yes, Sir.”
    The doctor left the room laughing and Mica
saw red.
    It only took a moment for Jaden to enter
the