Free Memory of Morning by Susan Sizemore

fell in love with someone, didn't you? I can see it in your eyes, hear it in your voice. Why didn't you do something about it, my dear?"
    She was my sister, and she knew me. We always confided in each other. "I can't talk about it," I said. I touched her cheek. "Not yet." I turned onto my back and closed my eyes. "I'm going to sleep now."

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Ten
     
    My lips felt bruised from kisses when I woke. Impossible, since the kissing had only been in my dreams. That those dreams had left me hot and moaning and woke me with an orgasm in the deepest part of the night disturbed me. I reminded myself that physiologically such nighttime antics were perfectly normal. A body my age was seething with hormones in need of normal exercise. Talking about sex had been a reminder of sensations that were needed and longed for. The dreams triggered natural physical response. I'm not sure I could say the dreams had been particularly natural, as they had featured at least four men involved in the pleasuring of Dr. Megere Cliff.
    One of them had been Dr. Danil Heron. Well, he had touched me, and a touch can lead to anything. Which was why one had to be careful of who was and wasn't allowed any kind of physical intimacy. Perhaps the warmth of his hand on my shoulder had led to the dream as much as my conversation with Bell. Along with a memory of a morning's kiss.
    I hoped the vivid memories of last night's dream romp would fade before I sat down to study with the odd young man in the afternoon. Odd, but quite handsome. My dream self had been well aware of his physical charms. Among others.
    "You thrashed around like a madwoman last night," Belladem said from the other side of the bed. She chuckled. "I think you understand why I miss Dwie so much."
    "I don't want to talk about it."
    She refrained from teasing and we made ready for the day.
    Bell had rehearsal at the temple. Tenn and Rassi went along with her to volunteer to help with the charity fete - Tennit was certain Rassi would whip the whole event into shape in no time. I went to my duties at the Home. It was oh, so normal.
    Until I received a summons to report to the main medical building in the middle of my shift.
    My first thought was, Oh, no, my dress isn't ready! as I, of course, assumed that I was being summarily summoned to my surgeon's exam. I was wearing my green leaf-patterned frock, which didn't give the serious, professional aura I wanted, but was at least wasn't frivolous and girlish. I made sure my hair was smooth in its tightly coiled bun at the back of my neck, and hurried across the medical campus to the imposing gray granite edifice which glowered over all the surrounding buildings. To my surprise I was directed to an office on the third floor rather than to the operating theater where the exams were held. I grew apprehensive as I climbed a set of creaky back stairs rather than the grand sweep of marble leading up from the wide front foyer.
    The room I entered had a small window, and it was a gloomy day. There were a pair of nut oil lamps on the desk, which give off a pleasant aroma but not a great deal of light. As lovely and welcome as spring is, it is also the season when glow moss spores erupt. Many people are allergic to the spores, so it is polite and practical to use nut oil rather than the much brighter moss for a few weeks.
    "Close the door."
    The room held a desk and three men. It was the cleric seated at the desk who had spoken. The desk was set precisely in the center of the room. There was no other chair. The two men stood against the wall behind the desk, on either side of it. While they were mostly in shadow, I could make out that the one to my left was tall and lean. The one on the right was a bit shorter, with a heavily muscled build. Their dark blue naval uniforms added to the shadowed effect. I did catch the shine of gold rank stars and braid glinting on their coats. I should say that the slender man lounged against the wall, with his