Craving Captivity: Human Pets of Talin, Book 5, page 21
“I love you, Tamerin. And I can see you love your sister.” She put a hand over his mouth before he could respond. “Yeah, yeah, I know. Talins don’t love like humans. Let me use the word anyway. Okay? I know you love your sister and I love you. That means I love her too. So let me be clear—even if this turns out bad, I’m staying ’til the end.”
He wanted to argue but quashed the impulse. “If that’s what you want.”
Lasha’s expression turned determined. “It is what I want. Your dad is going to get a bigger room and chairs, and we’re all going to talk to her and spend time with her until…”
Lasha’s voice trailed off so Tamerin spoke for her. “Until Reolina recovers or joins the Ancestors.”
“Yeah, that,” Lasha agreed, her eyes going watery. “But maybe Reolina will be the one who breaks the pattern and survives.”
“I want to have hope,” Tamerin admitted, “but I’m terrified I’ll be disappointed.”
“I have enough hope for both of us,” Lasha promised, and then her eyes slid to the floor. “Kneeling like that’s bad for you.”
He stood. “I’ll fetch a chair.”
“No,” she objected and pointed next to her on the narrow bed. “Sit here. It’ll be tight, but we can make it work for a little while.”
With her urging he found himself sitting sideways on the bed with Reolina’s legs resting on his lap and his back against the wall. Lasha leaned against him, still holding Reolina’s hand.
“There, that’s better,” she murmured.
Then she started singing, and the dim, barren room didn’t seem so desolate any longer.
Chapter 26
Luminarean moved Reolina into a much larger room with a massive ornate bed fit for four Talins. The room also had several of the backless chairs the Talins favored with small tables between them and a long bench stretching almost the length of one wall. The windows were all un-shuttered and cheerful sunlight streamed through the room all day.
It was one hundred percent Lasha approved, and she made herself at home.
Over the next few days, Lasha rarely left Reolina’s side. Every time Reolina stirred, Lasha made her interact. She would push until Reolina responded to her. But Lasha wasn’t content with words. She’d beg, cajole or bully Reolina into drinking. By the end of the second day, Reolina was taking small sips of water on her own.
By the third day she ate a morsel of food.
Tamerin’s sister wasn’t dying on her watch!
Everyone hailed it as a miracle, but Lasha only saw it as steps in a longer game. Next she was going to make Reolina sit up. Then she was going to walk. Although she didn’t say it, Lasha was convinced Tamerin’s sister was going to live. She was so sickly that it would probably be a long time before she was fully recovered, but Lasha knew it was only a matter of time and effort.
“Would you sing for us again?” Japhinan requested as her husband came into the room and settled into the seat next to her. “Luminarean didn’t get to hear you this morning, and you sang that new song.”
Lasha frowned a little. “New song?”
“You said it was about a race,” Japhinan elaborated.
Sitting on the bed next to Reolina, Lasha tried to remember what she’d sung that morning. Then she almost laughed. She’d forgotten the words to the song halfway through and had made them up. Some were even nonsense words that sounded good with the melody. It wasn’t as if it mattered since no one could understand what she was saying. When Japhinan had asked her what the song had been about, she’d said a race between a horse and goat.
Now she was being asked to repeat it! This was a lesson in humility.
“Let’s pick a different one,” Lasha suggested. She’d have to come up with more cohesive lyrics for that song later. Otherwise it might change every time. She looked at Tamerin. “You’ve been reading out loud for a while, so you get to pick.”
He was sitting on a chair next to the bed clutching his sister’s hand. Lasha had made a rule that someone had to be in that chair at all times and holding Reolina’s hand. Everyone but Tamerin had complained, but none of them tried to get out of it.
“Can you sing the one about the two people meeting in a crowded room?” he requested. He knew it was a love song, but she told everyone else it was about a negotiation.
“I was reading longer than Tamerin,” Novilum protested. “I should be allowed to pick. I want the song about the drunk man who goes home to the wrong domicile.”
Laughing, Lasha nodded. “I can sing both. Meeting song first and then drunk song.”
“I want the sunrise one,” Reolina requested.
“New order,” Lasha announced. “Sunrise song, meeting song, and then drunk song.”
“And then you should take a break,” Tamerin added.
“Yes,” Reolina agreed. Her voice might still sound weak, but she was carrying on full, albeit short, conversations. It was immense progress. “Have you seen the garden yet?”
Lasha smiled at her. “I’ll take a break and see the garden if you promise to eat a whole meal with me.”
Reolina hesitated before answering. “I can try.”
“That’s all I ask,” Lasha agreed, feeling excited.
“I’ll make sure the evening meal has all your favorite foods,” Luminarean promised.
“And food for Lasha,” Reolina interjected.
“They always have food for me,” Lasha was quick to tell her.
“Your favorite food?” Reolina asked.
“Oh, well,” Lasha floundered and looked over at Tamerin who sounded an amused rumble.
“We’re working on that,” he said. “Lasha’s got some particular tastes, and the chef has been flummoxed by some of her requests.”
Flummoxed was a polite way of saying the chef had refused to fix anything Lasha requested until she got confirmation from two different healers that none of the ingredients were harmful to humans.
“Make her cook Lasha what she wants,” Reolina demanded before closing her eyes and resting her head back on her pillows. “Sing now? Please?”
“Of course. I’ll sing as long you want me to,” she promised. Ignoring the playlist they’d agreed on moments ago, Lasha launched into a lullaby Reolina had said was her favorite.
Closing her eyes, Lasha sang, going seamlessly from one song to another while she let her thoughts wander.
Good to their word, Tamerin’s parents and cousin spent a lot of time talking, reading, or just being with Reolina. What Lasha hadn’t been prepared for was how fascinated Tamerin’s family would be with her singing. They couldn’t praise her enough. She’d never felt so popular. Or important.
Luminarean had even said Lasha’s singing had brought Reolina back from death.
Reolina might have survived on her own, but everyone was crediting Lasha with Reolina’s recovery. It was hard to keep her head from swelling at all the compliments she was getting. The human community on Wimol had been loving and kind, but most of them had seen Lasha as a burden. With Tamerin and his family, she felt like a gift.
Even after Reolina was better, Lasha was going to ask Tamerin if they could stay on Talarian. She still expected to visit Zia and Palforma, but she wanted to come back to this estate and this family. She didn’t want to give up being unique and special in a good way.
Lasha hit the last notes of the love song she was singing and opened her eyes. She was startled to find two unfamiliar Talins in the room—one male and one female.
Without her realizing it, Tamerin had gotten up from his seat. He and Japhinan were standing stiffly on either side of the strangers, so they must not be intruders. Not that she expected that to happen much on Talarian. The Talins were far too organized and focused on civic duty to resort to crime very often.
“What amazing sounds you make, human,” the female said, sounding the stocking-feet-running rumble. In this context, it had to mean approval because there wasn’t anything to agree to.
Lasha was feeling really proud of her Talin sound interpretation skills!
“Um, thanks,” Lasha said. “My grandmother taught me.”
“I’ve heard of humans who can make these sounds, but I’ve never met one,” the male commented.
“Everyone I grew up with could sing,” Lasha said with a shrug. What was she supposed to say to these two? And why wasn’t Tamerin talking or making introductions?
When she looked at him, she noticed how stiffly he was standing with his hands balled up into tight fists. Something was wrong. He wasn’t happy to have these Talins here, but apparently he couldn’t do anything about it.
Standing up, Lasha gave a little bow. It’s something Oglee would’ve liked and not a motion that most species would take as anything but a sign of respect.
“My name’s Lasha of the Chandra family, and um, I guess the Wimol Clan.” There, that sounded both respectful and formal. Then she looked at Tamerin. “Or should I say I’m part of your clan?”
Tamerin purred loudly but remained silent.
“Don’t be silly. Humans don’t have clans,” the male said. Lasha didn’t know what to say to that so she didn’t respond.
“We’ve come for an important reason,” the female said, taking a step closer to Lasha. “I’m Assembly Citizen Delinian, the head of the Ibek Clan and representative to the Clan Assembly. I have the power to demand Tamerin sell you to me, but I don’t want to be forced to do something that extreme. Instead, I’m going to borrow you to help my brother. He’s like Reolina.”
The woman’s eyes skittered over to where Reolina lay propped up in the bed, watching all of this as silently as the rest of the Talins in the room. Then, as if ashamed she’d looked at the recovering woman, Delinian dropped her gaze before refocusing it on Lasha.
Standing tall, Lasha crossed her arms over her chest. Suddenly she felt powerful, strong. She had something this formidable Talin wanted. Something they couldn’t force. Sure, they could always do unpleasant things to her, but she had full confidence that these Talins wouldn’t want to hurt her.
No, this was a game of intimidation, and Zia had taught her how to handle that.
“I know I have no power here, but I have control of one thing, myself. Even if Tamerin could sell me to you, that doesn’t mean anything. If you want me to help, you have to ask nicely.”
Her words caused shocked rattles to sound from almost everyone in the room. It was loud enough to cause her to jump and wince. Guess no one talked to the head of a clan like that.
The moment the rattles died down, Lasha spoke again. “And if I help, you have to promise to do everything I ask.”
“It’s not your place to demand things,” the male said with an angry rattle.
“Quiet, Satorian,” Delinian murmured without looking away from Lasha. “I think we might have to concede to Lasha’s demand, my husband.”
“This is unprecedented,” he grumbled.
“But if it works, that means we have a cure for the Fading. Isn’t that worth a little humility?” she asked, and Lasha got the feeling she was speaking both to Satorian and the rest of the room.
“Helping family is the most important thing,” Lasha agreed. “Is your brother stable enough to travel?”
“Probably,” Delinian answered, obviously a little confused.
“Then bring him here,” Lasha invited. “This room is big. We can fit another bed. Or he could share this bed with Reolina, it’s giant.”
“Hey, are you giving half my bed away?” Reolina asked, her soft voice full of humor. “First you bully me into living and now you’re going to make me share?”
Her comment made most of the Talins in the room sound marble-clacking rumbles of amusement.
“Bring Pakorium here?” Delinian said, looking around the room. “But it’s so bright here?”
Lasha nodded her head. “Exactly.”
“It goes against all conventional wisdom,” Satorian muttered.
“How’s that wisdom been working so far?” Lasha asked, raising an eyebrow. She couldn’t believe how bold she’d become.
Japhinan stepped up to stand next to Delinian. “Lasha is new to Talarian and moving her from familiar surroundings so soon after arriving might be detrimental. Besides we have a larger room we could move both Pakorium and Reolina into, and they can both have standard-size beds.”
This bed was standard size? What would they consider a big bed, something the size of a house?
“They don’t have to share a bed,” Lasha conceded. “But you have to visit them.”
She gave Delinian and Satorian the same list of demands she’d given Tamerin’s family. “You have to talk to them. Read to them. Spend time with them, even if all you do is listen to me singing.”
“But what good would that possibly do?” Satorian objected.
“Lasha and my family called me back from the gray abyss,” Reolina stated. “At first it was only Lasha, but then all their voices pulled at me.”
Lasha understood exactly what Reolina was saying. It pushed her to quote one of her mother’s favorite phrases. “The body won’t fight to live if the spirit has given up. We have to care for both.”
There was absolute silence in the room, and everyone stared at her with unblinking eyes. It was unnerving and suddenly all her courage fled. She looked to Tamerin who’d stepped far to the side to give his mother room to stand next to Delinian.
Giving into what had worked at the port, she held up her arms and made grabby hands like a toddler. Without hesitation Tamerin crossed over and picked her up, supporting her butt with one arm so she could loosely wrap her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.
“You did well, songbird,” he whispered before running a scent gland over the top of her head. The smell of cardamom perfumed the air, making her relax in his hold. It felt weird to go from feeling so self-assured to anxious and needy, but she wasn’t like Zia. She didn’t have boundless confidence, only spurts of it.
“What has happened?” Delinian asked with an anxious rattle, which sounded like a muted version of the buzzing-wasp rattle of annoyance. “Have we overwhelmed her? Will she still work with my brother?”
“Tell her to bring him here,” Lasha whispered to Tamerin even as she buried her face in his neck. “But they have to do what I asked. And bring a few of his favorite things and the softest, nicest bedding they have.”
“She says he can still come but the rules she stated earlier apply. One of you must be in the room at all times ready to read or talk or interact in some way.”
“Yes, we will,” Delinian agreed.
“And the stuff,” Lasha reminded him.
Tamerin purred for her as he spoke to Delinian. “And Lasha demands you bring anything Pakorium has a sentimental attachment to as well as the softest bedding you can find.”
“Fine, yes, we’ll do all of that, but she must save him,” Delinian declared and for the first time Lasha heard desperation in her tone. She wasn’t as cold or clinical about her brother’s illness as she was pretending to be.
Picking her head up from where it was resting on Tamerin’s neck, she met Delinian’s eyes.
“I can only try. I can’t promise,” she warned the head of Tamerin’s Clan.
“That’s all I ask,” she agreed and then turned on her heels and hurried off with most of everyone in the room following close behind.
“What just happened?” Reolina asked from the bed. “Did a little human just stand up to the leader of our clan?”
“And won,” Tamerin assured, tightening his hold on her for a moment. “We’ve been graced by the Ancestors to have Lasha with us.”
Rearing back a little so she could look him in the face, she frowned at Tamerin. “Speaking of humans on Talarian,” she said dryly. “Don’t think I didn’t notice the part where Delinian threatened to force you to sell me. I thought you nullified my work contract.”
Tamerin went stock still, tension radiating off his body again. “I did,” he assured her. “There are things I should tell you. I might not have been as forthcoming as I should’ve.”
That sounded bad. “What things?”
“Let’s go into the garden,” he suggested.
Lasha looked over to Reolina who sounded a weak but understandable tink-tink-tink rumble of agreement. “I’m fine. Novilum is going to read the latest information distribution document from the Apogee Assembly, and I’m fascinated to find out what they’ve decided concerning the Inol trade deals.”
Without hesitating, Novilum slid into the vacant seat next to her bed and held up an information square. “I have it right here. I look forward to discussing the ramifications.”
“Sounds riveting,” Lasha teased.
“We’ll be back,” Tamerin promised before he walked out with her in his arms.
Chapter 27
Tamerin didn’t stop until he was deep in the elaborate gardens that took up a hectare of land behind the estate. They couldn’t see the house or perimeter wall from here. They couldn’t even hear the sounds of the city.
Sitting down on a lone bench surrounded by flowering trees, he settled her in his lap and started purring. Sitting sideways across his thighs, she held his scarred hand in both of hers and looked at him expectantly.
“You’re in Talin-controlled space, which means you’re owned now,” he started, his words rushing out as if his chest was under pressure. “No human is allowed to be free. Even if you weren’t a slave or indentured servant with a work contract, you’d still be owned. Officially I own you because I brought you here. That was the paperwork they were requesting at the port, your ownership documentation.”
Going quiet, Tamerin braced himself.
Remembering how angry Zia was with Palforma when she’d realized the truth, Tamerin expected Lasha to at least jump off his lap and put distance between them. He wouldn’t have held it against her if she’d raged at him, hurling abuses he deserved.
But she didn’t do either of those things. She sat on his lap in serene silence, her expression deep in thought. He tried to give her time by focusing on the arguments he’d use to convince her to stay with him. The promises he could make about when they would leave, even if he had to break some laws to get them off Talarian.
