Page 25 of Hainn

He didn’t sit next to her on the flyer, which she decided was fair enough but once she and her board were in the water, he took up his usual position close to her, keeping an eye out for her safety. Her first run on a wave was normal, if surfing a hundred foot monster wall of water and dancing one step ahead of disaster could be called normal. For her second runshe was maneuvering into position when suddenly a pod of large sea mammals surfaced around her, keeping pace with her movements.

Hainn? She kept paddling but glanced in his direction.

It’s fine, the pod sometimes joins us. Daegan says he made an unspoken treaty with their Alpha to enjoy the waves together. You’re being honored.

There was no time for more as she’d caught the wave and so had the animals. They rode the crest with her and did insane acrobatics, leaping from the surface, spinning and somersaulting in the air and plunging into the wave with gleeful abandon. Jezari had all she could do to stay on her board because she was busy watching them. They were huge, easily eight feet long and must weigh hundreds of pounds but clearly in their element in the water. The pod rode all the way in with her, doing their fancy stunts while she had to be satisfied with merely maintaining her balance.

Showing me who’s the true child of the ocean, she thought in amusement as she glided out of the wave’s path to avoid going under the crushing tons of water at the end. One of the animals popped its whiskered head out of the water right in front of her and they regarded each other. The beast smelled vaguely fishy and salty and its eyes were large pools of dark, with no visible iris. “Thank you for sharing your ocean with me,” Jezari said. “And for showing me the stunts you can do. It was fun.”

The big mammal made a chuffing sound and dove under the surface, gliding away at a rapid pace, using only its tail to propel itself.

Nothing is going to top that.Jezari rose into the air as Stonor activated the tractor beam with his usual finess and she was soon aboard the flyer.

“Amazing ride,” he said once he’d clicked off the beam. “Vindy said she captured the holo footage. We try to filmevery wave ride as a souvenir but sometimes we miss one unfortunately. I think only Daegan has had more of the creatures surf with him.”

“It was a unique experience all right,” she agreed, using the towel kept nearby to dry her hair out a bit. “This whole trip has been so much fun—I wish we didn’t have to go back to a war. I wish all the Badari could enjoy this kind of peace and relaxation.”

“Only another Badari would term this relaxation,” Stonor teased her with a chuckle. “Want to come with us to pick Hainn up?”

“Sure, if me tagging along is easiest for you and Vindy.” She got a good grip on the nearest safety hold and was able to watch Hainn finish his second run and rise through the air in the tractor beam.

“Oh good, you’re here,” Hainn said once he stepped free of the tractor landing area. “I wanted to talk through what we’re going to try on our last run, if you’re still game to try it.”

“A Badari Daughter never goes back on her word,” Jezari said with a touch of hauteur.

Stonor looked from one to the other. “You’re not going to do an even more dangerous stint or trick, are you? Daegan counts on me to bring the entire group to the valley in one piece, more or less.”

Hainn didn’t deny the accusation. “Tell Vindy to be sure to film our last wave. It’ll either be spectacular or the biggest wipeout anyone’s ever seen.” He drew Jezari to seats close by and explained how he be;ieved they should attempt to ride one board together and make it work. “You on my shoulders would be the best but even if we make the entire run simply standing together it’ll be an accomplishment no other Badari has done. Or even attempted.”

“Your Alpha won’t like us doing this, will he?” she asked. “Won’t it encourage others to try more complicated stunts too?”

“YourAlpha won’t like it,” he said with a chuckle. “Daegan will think it’s terrific. Aydarr will be the one to ban it as soon as he hears about it but of course by then we’ll have made surfing history on Ushandirr.”

“True enough, Keshara will be aghast. She was unhappy enough with me coming out here simply to surf.”

“Are you glad you did?” Hainn asked as they headed for the ramp to re-enter the water.

She thought about her answer. “Yes, I am. I’m sorry I upset you last night?—”

“You have the right to refuse what I offered,” he said. “Let’s not discuss it again. Not now. The waves await.”

It seemed odd to be in the water without her surfboard but Hainn had told her to mount his board first which she did and then he clambered on behind her. He’d told her the distribution of their weight was critical and sure enough, he shifted position a few times until he was satisfied. He called for her to paddle hard as the wave rose beneath them and she put all her power into the task. Hainn was in tight, wordless telepathic communication with her and nothing needed to be said between them to ensure they moved as one. As the ride began they stood up simultaneously on the board. Hainn set his hands on her waist and she moved with him in a leaping motion planting her feet on his muscular thighs. Legs slightly bent to give her a platform, he left one arm at her waist to brace her and extended the other to ensure he could successfully surf the wave, which was now carrying them at breathtaking speed. Jezari raised her arms, hands gracefully posed and arched her back to make herself a curved figurine with Hainn as her base. He kept the board aligned properly with the wave’s energy and they rode the maelstrom.

She was flying, raised in the air, wind and spray rushing past her. She had total trust in Hainn to take care of both of them.

He put one hand in the small of her back and as they’d discussed, raised her above his head. She stuck what she hoped was a graceful pose—she felt like a goddess—and they rode for a few more precious seconds in style.

Then Hainn brought her down in front of him and steered the board out of the breaking wave to safety. As they glided into calmer water, Jezari turned and embraced him, yelling out her glee at their success in doing a stunt ride. He kissed her hard and at that point they fell off the board into the ocean and came up laughing.

Stonor captured them both and the board and lifted them to the flyer. “I don’t know what the seven hells you two were doing but it was the damnedest thing I ever saw,” he said. Pointing at Jezari he added, “You were phenomenal, Daughter, up in the air and then changing position.”

“I couldn’t have done it without Hainn.” She immediately gave credit where credit was due.

“It was a team effort,” he replied, grinning at her. “Did Vindy get a holo of the ride?”

“Sure did,” the pilot said over the flyer’s com. “We should charge for people to watch this one— it’s that good.”

“I wish we could ride again,” Jezari said, emotions high. “I bet we could figure out more stunts to try.”

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