Page 12 of Unfinished

“What’s got you smiling like that? It looks good on you.”

Sienna turned away from the view of the water. “Nothing much. I’m just in a good mood.” She wasn’t about to attempt to explain to her brother that she was thinking of her alien suitor. Just the thought of that conversation threatened to bring on a headache.

“Fine, don’t tell me, but it’s a nice change to see you happy. How’s work? Anything new happening?” asked Theo.

“Not really, though I’ve been considering a career change. I know I’m a little late in the game for that kind of decision, but I’ve been thinking a lot about the direction I want my life to go since things ended with Edgar.” Sienna’s hands clenched and released as she waited for her brother to respond.

He shrugged his shoulders. “Better to realize it now than later, but you’re right, it probably won’t be easy if you really want to do something much different. Mom’s not going to like it,” he added with a wicked grin.

Sienna nudged him in the side with her elbow and started walking back towards the path to the main road. “Naturally—like I hadn’t thought of that. She’s part of the reason I’m thinking of leaving Mitchell and Stein. Vince is always bringing her up, and I hate feeling like she’s the only reason I ever got the position there.”

“Oh, come on. You know that’s not true. Sure, her connections got your foot in the door, but you wouldn’t have succeeded so well there if it was only about that.”

“Thanks. It’s good to hear that, but I still feel like I’m ready for something new. The only problem is figuring out what that is.” Sienna’s laugh was caught by the wind. “You mentioned enjoying myself. I think that’s what I’m trying to do now. I don’t know the last time I actually went out past the city walls or made time to visit the beach over the weekend. We live so close to all of these beautiful places, but I’ve been living my life between my apartment and the office, and Edgar was no better. We really were bad for each other.”

Theo put a hand over her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. I think it’s great you’re willing to go for what you really want. Maybe I need to take a page out of your book—you’re not the only one guilty of using our family’s connections to make life easier. Let me know if you end up going on a trip outside the city. I want an invite!”

Sienna gave him a hug when they reached the sidewalk. Her bus stop was to the right, but Theo lived in the neighborhood, so he’d be going on without her.

“See you soon. Thanks for coming out,” she said before she leaned against the waiting post beside the bus sign. A few other people stood nearby, but it wasn’t crowded.

She took a moment to scan the images she’d taken after Theo turned the corner. From the pictures and vids R’kash had sent, his temple was located in the center of a wide plain. The temple itself had extensive gardens, but those were the only trees she’d seen beyond a shadowy forest in the distance. It’d be a lot different to live someplace like that. She’d spent her whole life in the greater Chicago Metro-State. Granted, it was a pretty big area, and there was a lot to see, but she’d never lived someplace where she could truly be alone. She wasn’t sure she’d like it.

She turned her lips inward, her thumb poised above the screen as she decided between two photos that were almost the same. If R’kash were another Xithilene, he might consider coming here, but she already knew he couldn’t. His job, his daughter—if she decided that she really wanted to be with him, it would have to be her that left it all behind. There was no other option. She deleted the second photo.

When she arrived home that afternoon, she sat down on her comfy couch that faced the living room window. It was the best view in her apartment. She set her viewscreen on her lap and pulled up the Mate Portal site to start her next letter to R’kash. She hadn’t told Tasha that they wrote to each other almost every day now, but receiving his messages was quickly becoming the part of her day she looked forward to most. She sent the series of photos she’d taken of the lighthouse and the shoreline and began to dictate what she wanted to say.

She took a moment to read it over before she hitsend.

Dear R’kash,

You promised to tell me more about what you do for fun. It doesn’t matter if you can’t do those things often—I still want to know about them! I know what it’s like to be occupied with your work, but it doesn’t mean your interests don’t count anymore. I assume you’re especially busy now that Veesha is living with you, but I’m curious about what you like.

I met with my brother this afternoon. He was there when I took the images I sent. Do you have family outside of the temple? Do they ever visit? Tell me about growing up in the Northern Continent. We really know so little about your people. Do you have special holidays or celebrate birthdays?

If I were to come to Xithilene after our six month probationary period, what would I do? I’ve always worked, and even if I don’t always enjoy my job, I like to stay busy. From what you’ve told me, there’s nothing near the temple. I don’t think I could be happy somewhere without any type of occupation, and I’d like to learn about my options. I know we still have a lot to learn about each other, but I’d like to know if this is something that could really work.

I’m looking forward to your next message!

Sienna

Now it was out there, the big question. If he couldn’t answer it, if there was no real life for her on his planet beyond a relationship, she couldn’t commit to anything, no matter how much she already wanted to. At least with R’kash she never had to wait long. If he followed his routine, she’d hear from within the next twenty-four hours.

Sienna shut down the viewscreen and set it aside to look out at the city. It was time to go out and enjoy herself, to really live in her city. She slid her hair behind her ears and got up. She was going to take a transport to Old Chicago and have Tasha and her friends meet her there. The ride would be long, but it’d be worth it. Some music, good food, and the frenetic energy of the city—they were all on the agenda. She needed to experience them while she still could, because a big, and ever growing, part of her was picturing a future where she might never know them again.

8

R’kash threwoff his robes and ran like he’d never ran before. He’d thought he’d grown more adept at anticipating Veesha’s antics, but she’d slipped past him again that morning. He’d heard her frantic cry and saw the flash of black feathers among the golden grass of the plain. She was there—and so was the approachingv’kelthherd.

He didn’t have time to count, but there must’ve been over fifty of the creatures. The large long-tailed beasts were galloping through the grass, their massive feet drumming out a sound that boomed like thunder in time with the rapid beating of his heart.

He could see her now. She was facing the animals, her small wings spread and trembling, and he couldn’t tell whether it was fear or the shaking of the ground that caused the movement. He only knew that he needed to go faster, and for the first time in his life, he envied the Lisseethi people their wings. If he’d possessed a grown male’s wings, he could’ve propelled himself forward and reached her sooner.

“Veesha! Come away! Come to me!” he shouted. He called out again, repeating himself, and her head finally turned. “Come, Veesha!” Her small, still body shook harder, and he cursed.

Lady, take me if you must, but not the child. I will give you any offering, any sacrifice for her safety.The prayer was ripped from his chest, from within the cavity that housed his soul. He would offer that gladly too if only he could reach her before the herd.

Veesha took a step towards him and froze. He could tell she wouldn’t be able to go further on her own. His lungs ached and his muscles burned, but he pushed forward. He’d almost made it. A few more strides, another breath, and he’d have her. He didn’t look to the left or think about how the very ground moved beneath his sandaled feet. He couldn’t allow himself to notice.

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