BDS: Chapter Nine

Days later, in the early morning hours, Valora, Hoshi, and Danika stood huddled together in the female wing of the warriors' chambers.

Shhh! Danika said between giggles as Hoshi struggled to keep from laughing aloud. Valora sighed and rolled her eyes as the three gazed down at Gyan, who was sleeping soundly, upright against Shamira and Jalena's chamber door.

How often do you think he does this? Hoshi asked.

It isn't the first time, Valora responded. I have found him here before. He does it in his sleep I think.

It's romantic.Danika said.

Hoshi raised her eyebrows as she stared at Gyan. Pathetic is more like it. She shuddered. Eck. I can't imagine being romantically involved with another warrior from our group.

Ugh—Yeah, Valora said, shaking her head, like dating your own sibling.

Tarak's different though, Hoshi said quickly as she peered at Danika's face. We didn’t grow up with him.

Danika blushed. I didn't…I'm not—

Hoshi and Valora burst out laughing. They quickly froze in silence again as Gyan stirred beneath them.

When Gyan stilled, Valora spoke again. It's obvious, Danika, so don't deny it. You and Tarak may be the quietest in the group, but energy always speaks louder than words.

Danika's expression relaxed. I'm actually relieved that you know.

Hoshi gave Danika a small smile and nudged her shoulder. Love should never be kept a secret.

Danika returned her smile as Gyan stirred again.

Suddenly Jalena's door slid open. The girls gasped as their eyes trailed from Gyan up to Jalena's face.

"What is going—?" Jalena stopped abruptly and looked down at Gyan, who had fallen backward at her feet.

Danika, Hoshi, and Valora burst out laughing as Jalena looked back and forth from them to Gyan, who remained where he was, blinking sleepily as he stared up at Jalena, a soft and dreamy expression on his face.

Valora cleared her throat. "Our apologies, Master Jalena. We found Gyan sleeping at your door and were just about to wake him."

Jalena squatted and leaned over Gyan. He closed his eyes as her hair brushed the edges of his face.

Is it happening again?" she whispered. Her brow furrowed in concern. "Are you okay?"

Gyan stared into her eyes. "Perfect," he whispered. She blushed lightly as his gaze trailed to her lips.

Valora raised her eyebrows. She motioned for the other two girls to move with her down the hall. The three hesitantly shuffled away.

"What is it then?" asked Jalena quietly.

"I want you to marry me," replied Gyan, his voice hoarse from sleep. His eyes searched hers.

Jalena's eyes widened.

The girls halted in their steps and whipped around in surprise. Hoshi and Danika gasped as Valora stared wide-eyed at Gyan.

Jalena's blush deepened. "Gyan—I—um…" She stood abruptly.

"Marry me, Jalena," he stated again. "I love you beyond words—beyond worlds. I know we are meant to…" he trailed off. He couldn't find the exact words to convey what he felt. His dreams lately were only about her—her brilliance, her light, her importance… He had to keep her with him for as long as possible.

"Gyan!" Hoshi exclaimed. "That is the sweetest…" She sniffed and pressed her fingers into her eyelids.

Danika exhaled as Valora's eyes narrowed suspiciously, her gaze jumping back and forth between Jalena and Gyan.

Gyan pushed himself up on his elbows, his eyes still lingering on Jalena's face.

Jalena cleared her throat as she looked at the girls, her face still pink. "If you will excuse us, Gyan and I have some things to discuss."

"Of course," Valora stated. Let's go, you two, she gestured with her head toward the common room.

The three continued reluctantly down the hall, repeatedly glancing back over their shoulder.

Gyan scooted back inside the room and Jalena touched the scanner near the door to slide it shut.

She turned. "What's the matter with you?"

"Nothing at the moment." He looked around. "Master Shamira?"

"She worked late last night with Sir Fane, so she slept in the lounge at the bunkers." She went to stand at her window. "There is something off with you." She turned back to him as Gyan stood. "Why are you asking me this right now? What's happened?"

Gyan shrugged dismissively as he dropped his gaze. "Nothing—I mean…I love you and I know you love me, so I don't see why we prevent it."

"Prevent it? Who said that's what—?" Jalena walked slowly to him. "Look at me."

Gyan hesitantly brought his eyes to hers.

"You are holding back. I can feel it." She searched his gaze. "Something has happened. You have seen or heard something in your Reserve, haven't you?"

"Yes." Gyan exhaled as he looked away again. He struggled to keep panic from overtaking him. "I cannot lose you," he whispered.

Jalena sighed as he grabbed her into a hug.

Her eyes lit up and Gyan felt the tension leave him as a blue light extended from her hands and seeped into his back.

Despite his efforts to hold his emotions back, tears overcame him. "I cannot lose you," he whispered again fiercely. He clung to the back of her shirt and buried his face in her neck.

Jalena pulled back to look up at him, smiling gently. "Hey." She gave him a determined look. "You won't, even if we never were to marry." She kissed him lightly. "That is an outworn tradition as it is."

"Never say never." Gyan leaned in for another kiss. "I know just how to make you say yes." She chuckled as he bent to lift her legs and scoop her into his arms.

He kissed her again as she allowed him to carry her to her bed. He remained quiet. He could find no words to express the mixture of desire, love, and loyalty he felt as he allowed the momentum of emotion to flow through him.

Later that morning, the two lay entangled together on Jalena's bed. Gyan lay on his side and trailed his fingers across her skin softly as she studied his face.

"You are correct in feeling my love for you, Gyan," she said softly, "but, you know we cannot marry…at least not now. I have already explained…"

His eyes glinted mischievously as he sat up abruptly and reached for his pants that were lying on the floor. "I suppose I can wait if you promise to take this."

Jalena pushed herself up onto her elbows. "What?"

He pulled out a bracelet from a side pocket on his pants. Small blue monarosias were set along thin silvery threads amid a single white one. "I made it out of alneil using Lumanthrú. It's a good reminder of our first deep conversation—you know—at the Tran Ceiabré when I first saw you use Alchemy."

She held out her wrist and Gyan snapped the bracelet around it. She ran her finger gently along the flowers.

"Malik embedded it with a little extra starlight so that it shimmers even more. So, until you say yes," he kissed her inner wrist just above the bracelet, "this will also remind you of how I feel when another tries to steal you away."

She smiled. "There could never be another…" She turned to look out the window at the surrounding mountains. "At first, I thought maybe you had asked because of your—"

"—my Shanlo issue?"

"Yes."

He shook his head. "The urge to act…well—obsessive—is at its lowest now." He scowled. "You will know when it heightens because I will do as Sir Malik suggests and not allow myself near you. It's all I know to do until he returns."

She nodded. "I will inform Master Jabari if that happens and refrain from training with you if you convey that you are unable to be near me."

"That will only ever happen physically. I could not part with you in any other way."

She raised an eyebrow. "Then, I hope Sir Malik hurries back with a solution because the physical is one of my favorite parts."

"Is that so?" Gyan responded with a smile. "In that case…"

Jalena laughed as Gyan yanked the covers over their heads and grabbed her to him again.

***