Page 2 of The Cerulean Sister
Commander Wesley lifts his head, as if pondering the word.
"It's a mineral," Commander Yeva says as she pauses in the aisle of the nearest bookshelf.
She is as pensive as she is tall, coming to the same height as Commander Wesley, but where he is lean, she is broad. Their armor is of the same make, but hers has a distinct and admittedly striking curve up to her nameplate.
From what I have observed here and the few books I previously read on Cosima, there is only one numbered commander at a time, currently the 99th. He forsakes his name and holds domain over the other Commanders of Viathan.
The commanders assigned to me as my personal guards can still use their given names, as can the others below them, with more complicated ranks that I have forgotten. All of the titles here make the priestess order hierarchy look simple in comparison.
"Like a long, spindly looking rock," Commander Wesley adds.
"That's so odd. In the same version of this book from Cosima, it's completely omitted."
"Huh . . . it's only found on there." Commander Yeva trails off as she slowly passes to do another unnecessary perimeter check of the library, like she is worried one of the books will become sentient and attack us.
Commander Wesley bends slightly to view the difference. "From what I remember, it was used on the coasts of Cosima to control the tides."
It's another occurrence of words or phrases being changed, censored, or, in this case, removed completely. Such an odd and seemingly nonconsequential thing to alter.
"Control the tides?" I whisper almost to myself and scan the next few lines for any indication of it being used farther down. "I wonderwhythey took it out."
"Couldn't say." Commander Wesley straightens, adjusting his armor. "Cosima is known for—" He cuts himself off suddenly. "Apologies, Priestess Ferren."
I can guess what he was going to say; I know what Viathans think of Cosima. Truthfully, the more I notice the differences in the translations from each world, the more I understand the perception of Cosima, not just the Estate.
"It's fine, Commander Wesley. I am well aware of my world. Cosima has a thing for stones. I suppose minerals are not that far off," I muse.
He takes a sharp breath, relieved I am not offended. Perhaps worried I would have told the 99th Commander he was rude and maybe he would be reassigned.
As if my thoughts summon him, 99 reaches out from somewhere in the capital building. A trickle of amber light seeking me out, gently crawling up my spine and filtering its way into my thoughts. He sends me feelings of anticipation and longing which get stronger as he gets closer.
Commander Yeva crosses in front of us, her helmet tilted like she is listening to something. "The 99th Commander is en route to the library," she says to me but has no idea I have received the same message in another way.
"That's wonderful news." I smile over my words.
Another mental caress passes over me and I know 99 is so close. Our tether is effortless, always open and permanently connected, neither of us wanting to close off from the other.
Before what was a small effort to reach out a hook, to link my mind with his, now feels more like turning my head in his direction to wake up the connection we share. I will never tire of his amber light surrounding me, his emotions, and hearinghis thoughts when words fail him. I'm addicted to viewing this world through his eyes, as strange and scary as it can be at times.
A slow coil tickles low in my belly as I hear his footsteps outside the library door. The metal entrance whooshes open and 99 steps inside.
No matter how many times I see him, it still takes my breath away. He is dressed in a formal version of his armor, more polished and authoritative than the one he wore on Frith, which was suited for combat. The Viathan symbol of the three worlds in conjunction is pronounced on his shoulder, and while still armed with weapons, they are smaller and expertly concealed.
The instant I smile at him, amber light explodes outward into the space with such force.
"Hello, 99th Commander," I greet. The anxious twist in my stomach transforms into a breathless flutter as I witness how quickly his steps increase when his helmet locks on me.
"Dismissed," he says over my head. The tone is impatient to the two guards who stand at attention close behind me. He wants them gone by the time he reaches me fully.
They acknowledge him in unison and then trail off to the side, exiting.
I round my little podium desk as 99 reaches out, one arm going around my back, pulling me in a tight embrace, the other lifting my face up to his.
"Are you well, Priestess?"
"Yes, my Viathan shadows were very protective today. You should be proud," I tease. "How was the council meeting?"
"Very long." He breathes deeply, his expanding chest squeezing me tighter.
