Page 95 of The Outcast
“Who?”
“Joana. She’s twelve but already showing great promise.”
My heart felt sorry for Linea because as she talked, her eyes were glazed over with a sheen of sadness. Her failure to become a priestess like her mother seemed to be a painful subject to her. “I’m sorry, Linea. I think you would have made a great priestess.”
She blinked and refocused. “Thank you, but it wasn’t meant to be. It’s not all bad though. At least now, I’m free to travel and my mother still taught me a lot. I’m as good or better than her at energy work. People come to me to learn.”
“That’s great.” We smiled at each other and then I gasped as my wristband lit up with an incoming call from Banni. “It’s him!” With shaking hands, I answered. “I’ve been holding my breath, waiting for you to call. What happened? Did they agree to let you go?”
Banni sounded exhilarated as he spoke fast. “You won’t believe it. We told Victor that he had twenty-four hours to send through a written declaration that I can stay in the Northlands, and he just did. It’s a done deal!”
I could hear all my friends chatter excitedly in the background. “Aren’t you proud of us?” Aubri called out to me.
“Yes. You are the best friends anyone can have. I’ll be forever grateful.”
Linea gave me a sideways hug. “You should see Sparrow’s grin. I’m afraid her face might crack from that wide of a smile. Well done, you all.”
They all cheered, and we could hear bottles clinking. “Mission accomplished,” Indiana shouted.
“Banni, when will you be landing?”
“In about an hour.”
“Tell Thor I’ll be forever grateful for his negotiation skills.”
“I will. He won’t take credit, but it doesn’t matter. I’m about to be a free man who can marry the most beautiful woman in the world.”
I was still smiling from ear to ear. “Hurry back to me. I can’t wait to kiss you.”
When I ended the call, Linea and I hugged.
“I’m so happy for you, Sparrow. Banni is a good man, but I should warn you.”
Releasing the hug, I waited for her to continue.
“With Banni, I sense a strong power right under the surface. He’s ready to unleash what he held back around you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Sensuality is like a life force for most of the French people that I’ve met. To give you a visual image, I would say that the typical Motlander has a safe little puddle of sensuality while the French have a whole river flowing fast and violent with the power to uproot trees and bushes. It’s a cultural phenomenon and I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s because sex to the French is much more than the physical part. They aren’t allowed to form romantic partnerships and they are taught that it’s for their own protection. Historically, it makes sense, but it’s depriving their souls of the nurturing feeling of being loved. We all need to feel special, and I believe the French use sex as a tool to connect and express themselves.”
“But Motlanders rarely form romantic relationships either, so how come they don’t use sex as a tool?” I asked her.
“Good question. I think it’s because unlike the French, we Motlanders have strong family ties and our culture fosters community and inclusiveness. Although our relationships are primarily platonic, they include touch and are still incredibly soul-nurturing. The French grow up without parents and they are in constant flow from one sexual encounter to the next. To me it seems that they’re using physical touch to compensate for a deep human connection that they desperately long for.”
“So, what are you saying?”
“I’m saying that Banni has held back, but it’s right there under the surface. Be ready when he releases it onto you. The French aren’t used to expressing their feelings in words. I would expect him to communicate within his comfort zone.”
“His comfort zone being sex?” I asked.
Linea nodded. “Lots of sex.”
The thought made me giddy and we shared a warm smile.
“Can I ask you another question?”
“Of course.”
