Free Heaven Saga 2: Sands of Aquarius by Marcus Johnson Page A

Lady
Seles!” Mya exclaimed, clapping her hands. “I’ve been waiting for months for
this chance!”
    Confused,
Brian turned back to Seles. “What’s she talking about?”
    “Well,
Mya’s been busy the last few months working on special projects.” Seles turned
to Mya, who looked quite happy to see Brian. “That special project being
clothes for you.”
    “The
first time we met, when you posed as an android, I had a feeling,” Mya said as
she walked around him. “Would you mind taking that off?”
    “Alright,”
he answered as he flipped the switch and stepped out of the armor.
    “You’re
quite the specimen, aren’t you?” Mya asked.
    “That’s
only because of the training I went through. Seles she can tell you what I
looked like before.”
    Seles
turned to Mya. “He was tiny compared to now. So how many outfits do you have
for him to try out?”
    “Twelve
or so,” Mya answered, staring into his eyes. “I hope you don’t mind.”
    “No,
not at all…” Brian stopped in mid-sentence and stared across the room.
    “What?”
Seles and Mya asked in unison. They turned, seeing what Brian was staring at.
    Zae
emerged from one of the dressing rooms, wearing a gorgeous, sparkling emerald
colored dress. It was cut low, highlighting her breasts, and the skirt hung
just below her knees. She wasn’t wearing her usual rank circlet, but a pair of
golden hair pins studded with emeralds. Wearing a pair of black sandals she
walked over to him.
    “From
that expression, I get the feeling this was a good idea,” Zae said while smiling
playfully. She twirled, giving them a better view of just how much the dress
matched her.
    Mya
took Zae’s hand. “You look gorgeous dear.”
    “Brian,
you’re gawking,” Seles said.
    He
composed himself. “I’ve never seen you like this before.”
    Zae
smiled at him. “I’m on leave so I thought I’d relax and try something
different.”
    Mya
took Brian by the hand. “Now it’s your turn!” He shrugged as he was dragged
into the back room. The other Kalaidians watched. Seles stood next to Zae.
    “You
look great,” Seles said.
    “Valis
mentioned I was acting rigid,” Zae said. “Since I lost to Mira for the position
of Reinere I‘ve been in a rut.”
    “You
shouldn’t feel bad about that. Mira’s a special case when it comes to music,”
Seles looked Zae in the eye, “Your skill is great as well. Much better than I
could ever hope to be.”
    “I
thought the queen of Kalaidia is the High Priestess and must know how to
perform.”
    Seles
laughed. “Do you know the reason why my mother is good at song and dance?”
    “Isn’t
she a natural?”
    “No,”
Seles said as she shook her head. “It’s because she’s had over a century to
practice. I’m the same way. I’m sure if I practiced long enough, I’d be just as
good.” Seles stared at the spectacle around Brian’s changing area. “Not like
you or Mira.”
    The
two watched as Brian came out wearing a black and green suit. Mya and the other
Kalaidians were going crazy over it while Seles rolled her eyes and sighed.
    “He
might be smiling, but I can tell Brian feels alone,” Zae observed.
    “It’s
because we’re different. But there are things that bring us together.”
    “Are
you speaking of love?” Zae asked.
    “That
and beauty.” Seles brushed her hand against Zae’s dress. “That was the first
time I’ve ever seen him look at you like that.”
    Zae
smiled. “I know. I was hoping for a reaction.” She looked Seles in the eye
again. “But the difference is he looks at you like that no matter what you’re
wearing.”
    “I
know. So what is it about him you find so enticing Zae?”
    Zae
stared at Brian while thinking. “His honor, he’s shown all of us the kind of
honor he carries. The weight of his people follows him wherever he goes, but he
walks tall, with pride. I know I can trust him and that’s what attracts me to
him. I know in my heart whatever he tries it will be the right thing.