Page 39 of Citiali: Teach
Seeing the secret smile on my girl’s lips feels good. I think I’m seriously crazy because I feel that smile. No, I think I feel good that I was able to make her smile. It’s still crazy. Shaking my head, I guide her to her new home.
“You can change or add anything you want. Other than the clothes Mucimi ordered me, I don’t have much.”
“Clothes were ordered for me by Mucimi too. Kateri said it’s her style and they got her too much too. I have the motorcycle Seren ordered and Nitis told me of the golf cart. I’m not sure I need more than that.”
“Citiali! Dyani!” I smile seeing Anahu run down his steps and right for us as if we’re not right in front of his house.
“Anahu, I’m glad you’re back. How are your aunt and sister?”
He drops whatever he has in Dyani’s hand, thenbends and hugs Dyani, lifting her right up. “Saki is great. She loves her new house and made me some jewelry for you. My cousin called and I talked to him for an hour. It feels good to be remembered. I always thought everyone just forgot about me.”
I pull him away from Dyani and hug him stepping back quickly. “Being separated so young would account for that, Anahu. Memories fade for you more than the people searching for you. Feeling that now will give you confidence in your connection to the family that never stopped believing you’d be found.”
He hugs me again. “Saki said that they knew I’d come back. My sister was found before me but they knew I’d find a way home.” He’s getting more comfortable using English now.
“How is your sister?”
His excited smile falls. “Hurt, different, she is scared of everyone and doesn’t trust anything. I was going to hug her but she moved to Saki. She went back to her little house butwill come to Tuesday dinner. Saki said she didn’t come much before.”
Scheduled dinners have got to be an Indian thing. “That’s good. She has more of a connection with you here. I’m happy for you, Brother. If you need anything, let us know.”
“Yes, and thank you for the bracelet.” Dyani shows him her wrist. “I’ll wear it proudly, Anahu.”
“Saki used your tribal colors. It matches VP Citiali’s armbands.” He turns back toward his house. Apparently, he was watching for us.
I smile at the boy who was taken from his tribe. He’s going to love relearning all he’s forgotten.
“He’s happier than I’ve ever seen him.” She starts walking again so I do.
I look down wondering if she is losing it. He was imprisoned with her at CIA then the real prison. “He didn’t have much to be happy about.” I point out.
She’s surprised. “We had an easy life before the prison. It wasn’t good but it wasn’t bad. The prison was bad.”
I’ve asked before but she doesn’t talk much about the bad. “Do you want to tell me anything about that time?”
Her hesitation has me drawing strength. “No, or not out here.”
We pass Nitis’ house in silence. When I open the door to her new home, she passes by me looking around. “You haven’t added anything since I first saw it.” That was just a couple of weeks ago when Mary was still with her. It feels longer.
“No, I added remembrances to the spare room but never had much.”
She stops at the island and looks out the window over the sink. “The prison was bad for all of us. At the beginning, we didn’t expect the cruelty, beatings and rape. It…it wasn’t just the women. I read stories and news but never saw or heard ofanyone I know hurt that way. Early on, I realized I did have power if I could keep a clear head and use it. I used my gifts to stop the worst and Lulu taught the others about pushing their limits. I was gifted with seer, speed and strength but she was gifted the power of speech. Through her, we used our energy to help when we heard the guards close. Reading and talking to each other was easy once we figured out a language we could all use. If the guards stayed on the line, we shielded for the others.” She shakes her head but her eyes go right back to the window. “Anyway, me and Lulu weren’t hurt after the first time. New guards came in and we used commands to stop them. A couple would take the prisoners off the line. Those prisoners got beat or died. Lulu was off the line.” Her breath hitches but she takes a deep breath and goes on. “I made me small, boyish and quiet so I didn’t attract attention. Alone, I didn’t have the energy to shield everyone.” She turns right around and her head rears back. “No, I’m fine. The prison was bad but we weren’t there long. It wasn’t our whole life.” She’s nervous?
I nod, burning inside for what she’s been through; what they’ve all been through. I nod again, not trusting my voice. Closing my eyes, I breathe in the ancestors, it’s enough to calm me. “You’re telling me now because you think it will change my mind?” The low growl coming out of my mouth surprises even me.
Her eyes dart to the side. “The ancestors don’t live here in our world. They don’t know how men feel…”
I take a step and lift her onto the counter, then another step so she has no where to go. “The ancestors know me and they know you. We’re chosen for each other because they know you have what I need and I have what you need. You can tell me every sordid detail of your life, but that experience is how you became the incredible woman you are. I may get pissed, it may hurt me in a place that never heals, but my head and heartknow it’s how you became Dyani Nanyehi. I claimed that woman with the ancestors’ approval.” I wipe her tears and kiss her lips. “You’re a Protector and don’t need a shield, but it’s who I am, Dyani. When you need that from me, I’m here, will always be here and I’ll be that shield. You won’t have to ask, wish or beg for it. I’ll show up when you need me without fail.”
Her eyes fill but she’s got that secret smile on. “A pledge from the messenger feels powerful and I’d be a fool to turn my back on it. I don’t want to talk about the past because it can’t be changed. I want the future that the ancestors see and we make.”
I can’t help but smile. “Anything, always.”
Her giggle surprises me, but it’s got me lifting her for the real kiss I missed with crazy Badass interference in her claiming.
Lifting my head, I breathe deep wondering when my arms went around her. Really, one hand is still holding the back of her head and the other is around her back holding her up against me. I release her head and take a small step back. The promise of those breasts plastered against me won’t let me go far. I’m a guy and have no qualms letting her see all of me, we had to come from somewhere and even Neanderthal has its moments.
Her eyes open and that ‘got a secret’ smile appears. “I got lost, apparently.”
