Page 82 of Infala: The Alien's Bond
“Well, I don’t know exactly how I did it, but when I pushed Zepharos away, I just knew I was meant to be with Heydar. He was all I wanted. And then all of my ink started changing color, see? The white pigment kind of took over everywhere. By the time I found Heydar this had happened.”
“Wasn’t his Infala cold?” Tikanna mused. “He lost a mate some time ago, though he would not speak of it. Curious, his Infala matched your new one.”
“Yeah, about that.”
“What now?” Tikanna wondered.
“I kind of forced his rune to change as well. I didn’t mean to. Well, not exactly. But when I put my hand over his Infala, I could feel myself flow into it. I made it into something new.”
Rohanna and Tikanna stared at her, silent for a long moment as they took the information in.
“She has the gift?” Rohanna wondered. “Is it possible?”
“I had always thought it was only a legend,” Tikanna replied, though she didn’t sound so certain. “But perhaps there is truth to the stories.”
“I don’t know about all of that, but he called meMalaika. It didn’t translate. What could that mean?”
The women seemed surprised, though less shocked than before.
“It is rare that a word does not translate with the runes,” Tikanna said. “But some are so specific to a race that they remain in their native tongue.”
“So, it’s specifically a Nimenni thing?” Darla mused.
“It is. However, we are familiar with the word. A term of endearment, and one very few ever hear, only uttered to the most loved of mates. It is a declaration of love far beyond the Infala’s power.”
Darla felt her pulse quicken. “What does it mean?”
“A rough translation would bemy dearest, but alsomy soul. It is difficult to put into words, but the core intent of it is to declare that you now possess his life force intermingled with your own. If you were to perish, he would almost certainly die with you, so intertwined are your beings.”
Rather than panic, a comforting warmth filled Darla. She was his, and he truly was hers. More than just mere words, it seemed her alien love had put his very life in her hands, and she would cherish it until the end of days.
Rohanna watched her processing the information and nodded sagely, sizing up their guest with fresh perspective. “Well, my dear, it would seem you have quite an interesting future ahead of you. Should you be up for the challenges, of course.”
Darla had already been mulling over what her life might become and was actually okay with it. “I’m going to find the others who crashed from the Raxxian ship. There are other people from my world out there, and Heydar and I are going to find them.”
Rohanna smiled, approving the plan, but she also had other thoughts whirling through her head now that she had discovered just the kind of power growing in this strange human.
“You will need time to learn your power,” she said. “To be able to control it. You could be so very strong, if only you take the time to properly train.”
“First things first,” Darla interjected. “I need to find the others.”
“There is time,” Rohanna countered. “I understand this Kuxx fellow is quite capable of handling things for the time being. And assisted by one from your own world, I understand.”
“How did you know that?”
“Your prince informed me of the situation when you returned. Right after you departed with Zepharos, actually. He was quite despondent, but even stranded from his people, he still obeyed the rules of decorum for one of his stature.”
“Hang on, did you sayprince? I knew he was some sort of leader, but a prince?”
“He did not tell you? Ah, the Nimenni, such a proud people. Proud, and secretive. He is a good man. A bit strong headed, perhaps, but good of heart. Your Heydar is most assuredly more than just a mere general, dear, though he has excelled at that in the past, from what I have heard.”
“How did you hear that? I thought you were cut off from the rest of the world.”
“By choice,” Rohanna chuckled. “I still have my sources, when I am so inclined. I am the Oraku elder, after all.”
Darla was in shock. “So, he’s a general. A general and a prince?” she mumbled, her lips almost numb with shock.
“Yes, the heir to the throne, when the time comes.”
