Page 36 of Saving the Sautiitions

Her face is relaxed, making her look like a goddess. Her lips twitch, her eyes moving beneath her closed lids as if she’s dreaming. I sit down across from her, knowing that I must wait until she is done to speak. Her hair slowly falls to her shoulders, sliding down her back. When her eyes open, I’m struck by the bright silver color.

“Tavi, I’m so glad you’re here. We have much to discuss.”

“Mom, can you tell me about my dad? The other kids ask me, and I don’t know what to say.”

She waves her hand in the air, dismissing my words as if they’re insignificant. “He doesn’t live on this planet anyway, Tavionna. He doesn’t matter.”

My eyebrows crease as I struggle to focus on the visions, to keep myself under enough to learn what I need to.

At 15 years old, I’m sitting at the table surrounded by books as I pull at my black hair. I look at it between my fingers, disgust written on my face. Why must I be different? I slam the book in front of me shut, tired of studying these rituals and history. Mother has been pushing me too hard. What if I don’t want to be a High Priestess, anyway?

In walks Mother, a sigh escaping her at the sight of me. “Why aren’t you studying like I asked? I was only gone an hour. What have you learned?”

“Mom, I’ve studied these rituals and history books for weeks. I know all I need to be successful. How about you teach me something I genuinely want to learn about? Like my father? How about you explain why I’m different!”

“Why must you keep bringing this up!? Tavionna, I’ve told you, he’s a nobody from an insignificant planet. He doesn’t even know you exist. Why don’t you focus your energy on the fact that you will one day take my place and learn what you need to handle this position? Goddess, how did I end up with such an ungrateful child?”

Mother storms out of the room, and I crumble into tears on my books.

My hands twitch as the visions change yet again, bringing me farther forward. My brows knit as a single bead of sweat rolls down my temple. I fight to keep my breathing even as the memories open old wounds, causing my heart to thrash in my chest.

I stroll through the caves. Well wishes and love are sent my way as everyone wishes me a happy birthday. I’ve finally turned 25, and with Mother severely ill, I am acting High Priestess. I’ve done all she’s asked and followed in her footsteps, but at the cost of my own happiness.

I love my people, but I’m miserable, missing a piece of my soul as I wonder who I truly am. What is this other part of me? I look around the crowd, taking in all the purple shades of hair, the pink skin, and silver eyes that smile at me as I pass. I have their pink skin, but mine is covered in swirling patterns that grow more noticeable every year. My hair is black, my eyes swirl with silver and purple. I’m an anomaly among my own people.

I wander away from everyone, disappearing into a cave that I’ve set up with an altar to the ancestors. Bowls of food, herbs, and water from the sacred spring sit before me as I bow and pray for answers to the questions my mother brushes off at every opportunity.

“Who am I? Who is my father? Please, please tell me,” I beg the spirits as tears fall from my eyes, my body shaking with the force of my tears.

My body shakes as I struggle to understand why I’m being shown these memories, but the force of the visions is too strong to deny, and this time, I’m pulled into something new.

I watch my mother as she steps through a magic portal, stepping onto a strange new world. She’s young, her smile is breathtaking, and my breath hitches at the sight. She never smiled at me like that. I watch her wander down the streets of a lit city, marveling at the open sky above her. The scenes flash quickly as she sits in a bar, man after man sitting and chatting with her, but they all pass too quickly to really see.

The vision slows, my eyes focusing on a handsome purple face, his smile sweet and genuine. His eyes and skin both swirl, his eyes a slightly lighter shade of purple than that of his skin. His long black hair is braided back from his face, but reaches well past where the table sits against his midsection.

Criido.

The word is whispered in my ear as the scene flashes, jumping forward to my mother leaving the planet, walking out of the city. She pauses momentarily to glance at a sign that readsTumbilion Sayaris.

The vision skips forward again, my mother now pregnant with child, her belly growing as she rubs it fondly with two of her hands while the others mix together herbs in a mortar.

I gasp as I’m released from the vision, sweat cresting my brow as I pant. Two of my hands clutch at my chest while the others push my hair back from my face. My eyes take in my room, the elegant comforter across my bed, the few dream catchers and charms I’ve hung around the cave walls to amplify my powers and magic. I’m cross-legged on the floor at the foot of my bed.

The curtain to my right swings open, my big broad warrior stepping in and bowing low to me. “I’m sorry, Priestess, if I’ve interrupted. I felt distress and wanted to check on you.”

I rise to my feet, stepping close and sliding my arms around his waist. His arms slide around my body, holding me close. “I did it, Seuke. Finally. I have a name and planet. It may still be a long shot at finding him, but at least I have something to go on. It’s only taken 26 years to get this far, but I did it.”

Tears rim my eyes as I look up at him, his striking silver eyes seeing straight through to my soul. “I’ll be here for you no matter what happens, you know that. My life is yours.”

“I know, baby. I know.” Rising onto my tiptoes, I kiss him, a gentle brush of lips as he squeezes me tight. Love radiates between us and down the bond we share as his tongue parts my lips, seeking more.

I fall against him as he holds me, fucking my mouth with passion as I moan and dig my fingers into his short purple hair. His hips grind against me, and I whimper, wishing we didn’t have so many clothes on.

“Excuse me, High Priestess. You’re needed in the main cave.”

A voice calls from the other side of the curtain, and I groan, pulling out of Seuke’s embrace. My irritation rises at the interruption, and Seuke flinches, grabbing my hand. “It’s all right, Priestess. He didn’t know,” he whispers to me as he places a gentle kiss on my temple.

I take a deep breath and sigh before I step forth and open the curtain, taking in the guard in front of me. “What is it I’m needed for?” My tone is soft and polite, but I’m sure the irritation is clear in my eyes since the guard tries to hide his slight cringe.

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