BDS: Chapter Two

"I love it here, Gyan," Lesiana stated as she gazed around the living room of his parents' large, farm home the next day. When she had arrived in Yevani two days earlier, she had stayed at Jalena's home, so this was the first time she had visited the farm.

"Good," Sahdika said as she entered the room with Eamonn behind her, "because we want you to stay here with us."

Lesiana looked back and forth from Gyan's parents to Gyan and smiled. "Really?"

Gyan raised an eyebrow. "That's what they say."

"Elder Master Syam believes it is best that you remain in Yevani, far away from Mordán, but close to Order protection," Eamonn explained. "We told him we wished you to live with us until this is all over—"

"—or however long you want to," added Sahdika.

Gyan smiled at his mother. The last time he was in Yevani, she had spoken of being lonely ever since Gyan's father had been working long hours for the Order. It made him happy that she would have the extra company around if Lesiana accepted their offer.

Lesiana's smile widened. "Yes." She threw her arms around Gyan. "Yes," she whispered again.

Gyan chuckled as he returned her hug.

Sahdika and Eamonn walked over and embraced Lesiana together.

"I don't have anything," she stated as she released her grip on the two. "All of my belongings, except for the clothes the Order has given me, are still in Kraundor."

"Which is where they will stay," Eamonn stated firmly. "We may be able to retrieve them after Mordán has been removed from the throne, but until then you'll have to start over here."

"Miliani, Gyan's sister, has volunteered to help you shop for clothes and everything you need," said Sahdika.

"Where is Mili, anyway?" asked Gyan. "I thought she and Haji were bringing the baby over here."

Haji's and Miliani's baby was born the night that Aderes died. Several weeks had passed before Gyan returned with the light warriors to Yevani for Aderes's ceremony, so he had not met his nephew yet.

"They are on their way," Sahdika replied. "Having a baby makes every task take twice as long, Gyan."

Gyan rolled his eyes at Lesiana. "I think it's more that she makes Haji do all the work and she just stands around telling him what to do, so it takes him twice as long."

Lesiana laughed. Her eyes shone with joy as she walked to the open front door and gazed out across the large, green lawn. "Not only do I get a beautiful home to stay in, I also get a family," she whispered to Gyan. "I feel Aderes smiling."

"As long as you are happy, he would be," said Gyan. "Come on. You can have Mili's old room. I'll give you a tour of the rest of the house and show you where it is."

Lesiana followed Gyan up the stairs.

"Do you think she will be okay?" Sahdika said as she and Eamonn returned to the kitchen.

"I do," he replied as he stared out the kitchen window. "I'd be more worried about Gyan, but I think having Lesiana around helps him to remain focused. He knows that Aderes has left him something to be responsible for."

"She looks so much like her brother. She is probably tired of hearing it from everyone. I couldn't imagine if it had been Gyan—" her voice broke.

Eamonn extended a large arm and quickly pulled his wife to him. "Don't even think it," he whispered fiercely into her hair.

She relaxed against him and nodded. The two remained silent, holding each other in a tight embrace for several more moments before a soft, fussy cry reached their ears. Sahdika released her husband and hurried to the front of the house as Miliani, Haji, and the baby made their way up the porch. She pulled the front door open but was passed in a flash by Gyan.

"What did you do to my nephew, Mili?" he said loudly. "Give him here before you mess him up like you tried to do to me. He needs my protection."

Upon hearing Gyan's voice, the swaddled baby became silent in his mother's arms. His light brown eyes widened in curiosity.

Mili raised her eyebrows as she looked down at her baby. The baby remained still and alert then his expression suddenly softened.

"Seriously?" Mili said. She rolled her eyes. "You stop crying for him? Of all the people…"

The baby cooed and wiggled beneath his blankets.

"That's right," Gyan said as he leaned over to observe his nephew. "He likes my power, so give Sheldrían here. Nán can wait a little longer." He held out his hands readily.

Mili only hesitated for a moment. "Just be careful, Gyan."

"Blah, blah," Gyan said as he scooped the baby from his sister's arms. "We've got some catching up to do. Someone needs to warn him about you. We will start by discussing this ridiculous name she gave you and strategies that you can use to cope with it."

Lesiana laughed out loud.

"It's always been this way with them," Eamonn quietly told Lesiana from behind the commotion. "Don't let the teasing fool you though. Their connection is deep."

Miliani and Haji made their way to Lesiana and exchanged greetings as Gyan carried the baby around the yard, chattering non-stop.

Laughter and conversation filled the atmosphere of the Mesengic home hours later as the family sat for dinner. Soon shared thoughts turn to recent events.

Gyan silently watched Lesiana interact with his family as she answered questions about her life in Androsa and in turn asked questions about all Yevani had to offer. He smiled at the peaceful feeling that spread through him. With her here, it's like you're not so far away, Aderes.

I'm not far, either way, his friend replied softly.

Sheldrían's soft cry reached the party from where he slept in a nearby bedroom.

Gyan stood. "I'll get him."

Miliani caught her mother's eye and raised an eyebrow. The two exchanged smiles as Gyan made his way out of the room.

He returned moments later with Sheldrían propped against his chest. The baby's soft, back hair stood on end.

Gyan glanced down. "Nice hair."

"Give him here," Miliani stated as she reached out an arm. "I'll fix it."

"No way," Gyan answered. "This is his true rebel form—child of the wild."

"Like yours?" Miliani questioned as she eyed Gyan's rugged look.

Gyan rubbed his shadowed chin pointedly. "Exactly." He walked past the group. "We're going to the porch to watch the day stars set." He suddenly stopped short before he reached the front door.

"Jalena," he voiced in surprise, staring through the screen.

"Hi, Gyan," Jalena said from the other side of the door.

Gyan swallowed hard as he felt a surge of heat within him.

"Well don't just stand there, Gyan. Let her in!" Sahdika exclaimed as she stood and hurried to the door.

He continued to stare at Jalena in silence as his mother opened the door, and Jalena entered carrying a large gift bag. The rest of the party stood and exchanged greetings. She let out a laugh as Lesiana hurried and grabbed her in for a hug.

She eyed the small bundle in Gyan's arms and then turned to Miliani. "For Sheldrían and his nán." She held out the bag.

"Thank you, Master Jalena," Miliani said as she accepted the gift. "This is very kind."

Haji, who had made his way over to Gyan's side, whispered as he cast him a knowing look. "Give him here before you drop him."

Not taking his eyes off Jalena, Gyan relinquished the baby to Haji. He remained silent and frozen, trying to suppress the strong pulse of heat that began emanating through his body in increasing waves.

"Can we get you a glass of wine or something, dear?" Sahdika asked Jalena.

Jalena smiled lightly. "Only if I can hold a baby in my other arm."

"Of course!" Miliani said.

Haji approached Jalena and handed Sheldrían to her.

"Look at that hair," Jalena said with a grin as she took the baby.

The urge to grab Jalena to him overcame Gyan.

Eamonn turned to Gyan. "Gyan, can you get Jalena a glass from—?"

"I—I'm going for a walk," Gyan burst out. He bolted out the front door before anyone could say another word.

"Gyan!" Miliani stated as she followed him out the door. "Get back here! What's the matter with you?"

"In a second!" he replied in a strained voice as he rounded the corner of the house.

"Ridiculous…what is his problem?" Gyan heard Miliani say in a low voice as she re-entered the house.

He wiped the sweat that had appeared on his forehead and took a deep breath. It was as if a sickness had taken hold of him when Jalena neared him. He didn't understand what was happening.

He glanced out at the field that stretched far behind the house and started jogging, quickly turning his run to a sprint. He only returned to the house when his desire subsided, and he felt assured he would be able to control it.

The entire party was sitting on the porch, engaged in conversation when he reached the front lawn. He approached slowly, trying to ignore their confused expressions.

"Sorry, Master Jalena," he said quickly. Heat spread through him again as her eyes met his along with irritation at himself.

"Gyan, you are drenched in sweat!" Miliani said in surprise. "Are you okay?"

Gyan continued to stare at Jalena. "No…no, I'm not."

Lesiana, Sahdika, and Miliani exchanged glances. The three suddenly burst out laughing.

Jalena smiled politely and lightly blushed as she dropped her gaze.

"Come on, all of you," stated Eamonn. "Gyan needs to speak to Master Jalena alone." He stood and opened the screen door.

Gyan started to protest but thought better of it as everyone but Jalena filed into the house. His heart thumped loudly in his ears. It took all his self-control to remain where he was.

What is wrong with you? Jalena spoke telepathically so the others wouldn't hear. I know we decided to focus on our work during this time, but you have taken to disappearing every time I come near. We still must work together and communicate.

Gyan's chest squeezed. Without another thought, he jumped the porch stairs in one bound and grabbed Jalena's wrist tightly.

She gasped as her eyes widened.

He yanked her roughly to him so there was no gap between them. An array of emotions flooded through him as he searched her gaze—sorrow, longing, protection, possessive desire—He wanted to devour her until there was nothing left of either of them. A flash of violet light flickered through his gaze as he stared down at her.

"It was your decision to focus on work, not mine," he whispered fiercely as his eyes trailed her face. His breath caught. "I could never—you are my work—my everything. I want all of—" Gyan shook his head as the porch swayed. He blinked several times, and everything went black.

Jalena lunged quickly to catch his unconscious form as his hand loosened from her wrist and he dropped.

"Gyan!" she exclaimed. Her shoulder and hip smashed into the side of the house as she shielded his body with hers to prevent his head from slamming into the porch furniture.

Eamonn quickly appeared at her side followed by the others. He helped Jalena ease Gyan to the porch floor.

"What happened?" asked Sahdika as she dropped beside Gyan.

"I don't know," Jalena replied in confusion. "He just passed out in the middle of speaking to me."

From behind Haji, Miliani smirked. "Wow, Master Jalena. You really have an effect on my brother."

Haji shifted Sheldríanup further on his shoulder and raised his eyebrows. "That's some power."

"Okay, you two," said Eamonn. "Help me get him inside, Haji, and we will call the elder masters."

Haji handed the baby to Miliani.

Jalena gave a soft smile and shook her head as she backed out of the way. "As romantic or passionate as you all make it sound, I feel it's more than what it appears. His energy peaked abnormally just before he fell unconscious."

"Do you think he will be okay?" asked Lesiana.

"Yes. I will try to extend some light energy to him to see if he regains consciousness, but I'm not sure it will work. If whatever is going on with him is more than just energy depletion, he will remain unconscious until his body stabilizes the issue internally on its own."

Haji and Eamonn placed Gyan on a large sofa in a softly lit den adjacent to the dining room as the others gathered around.

"I have already contacted my father telepathically," Jalena stated. "He and Master Asia will be here shortly." She sat on the edge of the sofa and placed her hands on Gyan's chest. Her eyes lit up brightly as blue light slowly seeped from her hands and into his body. "His heart rate has increased so I know he is receiving the light, but he is not waking," she said after several seconds. She pulled her hands back. "We will just have to wait."

Asia immediately went to examine Gyan upon arrival at the home as Syam spoke to Jalena outside.

Tell me what happened from the start, Syam said.

Jalena recounted the events that evening, giving as much detail as she could without revealing the personal dialogue Gyan had exchanged with her. The most unusual part was that a violet light flashed through his eyes just before he fell. I did not report this to his family because I didn't want them to worry.

Syam scratched his short silver and white beard. He has seemed more nervous around you lately, yes?

Yes. He avoids communicating with me.

If he carries affection for you, why is he avoiding you?

Jalena shrugged. We have spent more time apart due to work for the Order, but we were still interacting until...

…Until Master Aderes's death?

She nodded. Yes. That's about right. However, I am unsure if the two events are related.

Syam's brow furrowed. The only thing we can do is ask Master Gyan. Until he wakes, we just have to allow the missing pieces of this mystery to sit.