Chapter 14: 13: FITTING

Talitha hopped onto the Kyanite and started the engine with a firm kick, shaking away lingering bad feelings. That vision, the hallucination she’d suffered, was bad enough with its sensations and smells. She had no desire to take another hit. Maybe she’d quit for good this time, like everyone kept telling her to do. She’d see if she still felt the same in another day or so.

She revved the bike’s engine and elevated power levels, peeling out of La Maria’s garage while keeping track of the movement on the streets through her goggle display. The Kyanite was unlocked for a moderate lift of a single kilometer, the highest altitude she was permitted to navigate with her student license, though she almost never used the airborne function on her vessel. Something about feeling the planet under her tires communicated sensations of real things inside of Ipir's alien landscape, something she needed now more than ever.

After zero hour little traffic was present for her to navigate within Capitol City. Rain fell, the first of many storms for the season in increasing intensity, but she held little worry. The Kyanite was equipped with a personal climate shield able to evaporate the precipitation pattering on the road around her within a set radius. A sync function between her COM and her goggles to the bike’s control system allowed her to manage her programmed route with ease and guidance.

Her body hugged the bike’s frame. She coasted the elevated ramps on the interzone highways, speeding along the passways toward the empty streets that would led to Temple Altiria. Out of bad habit and private urge she accelerated a few increments past the legal limit—it was hard to resist the call for speed whenever there was an opportunity to go faster. Nice, too, to ride outside even in the rain. Welcome to be completely alone for a while and try to clear her head.

The silhouette of the main temple of Alitria soon appeared in her view from a distance. Seven towering spires rose from the faith facility, designed to frame the tips of the massive El-Akalut’s branches that were visible in Altir even from thousands of kilometers away. She descended down her exit ramp to the ground level with her flight mechanism, hovering down to the private residential city that surrounded the temple.

The Kyanite’s land function activated as soon as she hit the road, stabilizing her rumbling landing and shooting her forward onto her route again. A faint smell of incense wafted in the air, a mixture of sacred scents that always emanated from Temple Altiria’s many worship houses. Talitha pulled into the temple grounds, slowing to a stop when she arrived at the gates, and waited for a guard to process her entry.

Scanning the inky figures in hooded robes milling about the grounds, she noted their shadowy forms were congregating around a massive statue of Isten Dar’s holy prophet Raijim Isten in the center square. Raijim Isten, who she’d heard Kalum speak of often during their temple work, had handed down revelations detailing Ipir’s fiery history and future. Their sun, that glowing gold-red orb looming in the sky, a celestial object that never moved position, would swallow them whole one day. That’s what the holy texts advised. When that would happen…no one could exactly say. Maybe the praying shadows would hear a response from the statue that could guide them to a date.

Rhythmic, steady chanting caught Talitha’s ear, filtering through her earbud’s enhancing receivers as a man in a red uniform exited a nearby watch house, approaching her bike.

“Staff only,” he said, looking her and her vessel over. “We open to the public at five. You’re welcome to return at that hour.”

“Scan me.” She hopped off her bike and slid back her goggles to reveal her face. “I’m personally authorized to be here by High Priestess Kazrut. You’ll see that if you verify my identity.”

The guard flashed with recognition once he saw her. “Ah,” he said. “Miss—”

“Scan me,” she interrupted. “I know you have to. It’s your job. I don’t expect special treatment because of who I am.”

“Right. One moment.”

The guard snapped a biometric scanner off of his belt and passed it first in front of her eyes then over her palms, activating an immediate ping for access.

“Clear,” he said into his COM before nodding at Talitha. “Welcome back, Miss Morai. Praise the prophet for your safe arrival.”

“Thank you, sir,” she replied. “Where’s the priestess at this hour? I mean Kalum Khelot, Madame Kazrut’s acolyte. The youngest daughter.”

“In the main temple with the rest of the holy family. They’re completing a private zero-hour service for the Harvest season. I’ll notify them that you’ve arrived and intend to join.”

“No. Don’t.” She held up a hand to stop him. “It’s a surprise. My volunteer term ended so it’s been a while since I’ve attended one of these zero-hour services. I’ll let myself in through the staff entry to say hello.”

“As you wish, madame,” said the guard. “Dala ana raijim.”

Talitha left her bike in the care of the watch house and walked through the temple grounds, headed to the center square of the inner city where the main temple stood. The large red double doors of the sprawling worship house were shut tight for privacy. She circled around the side in her known way, cutting through the perimeter garden where the rear access doors lay. A quick press of her fingertips against the control panel’s waiting sensors gained her entry and she slipped inside of the temple as soon as the door zipped open.

Talitha was met with familiar sights once she was inside of winding, richly furnished hallways and towering vaulted ceilings. The air was overpowered by scents of native herbs, more of them burning than usual for the service currently in session. She’d come by the place often over the years and Altiria had always, for her, held an aura of timelessness. A sensation that everything within was as ancient as the planet itself and shrouded with immortal native knowledge.

She heard a sorrowful melody resonating off the paneled walls on her way to the temple’s center altar. She slowed her pace at the sound, listening to the cascading notes of the native hymn, and recognized Kalum’s sweet and steady tone delivering the melancholy notes without chorus or backing instrument. The words were in an elder tongue, an archaic universal language that fathered all of the many current wildland dialects, difficult for those without native blood to pronounce.

Talitha had heard it often enough during her tenure and could recognize the subtle differences in pronunciation, even if she didn’t understand nearly any of it without the translation in front of her. Some of it she did remember, though, and familiarity prickled her as Kalum began the repeating chorus full of praise.

Nunsu ga-la ursa ji ne-ne zagdi-ba
-The great prince, the warrior
Am-mi ni ibu ca-re
-The crown and the mound, a holy and pure place

Talitha closed her eyes as she neared, pausing at the door to the altar room to listen to Kalum sing, the same honeyed sensation warming her from the tone. After a short while she surveyed the interior where the Khelot family now worshiped, scanning rows of thousands of empty prayer rods stationed around the altar that held no audience. Closed doors encircling the main prayer area led to the divulgence rooms, private confessionals where worshipers could speak with patient acolytes and plead for God’s mercy for whatever troubles weighed on their minds.

She spotted the Khelots seated in a special area directly in front of the teacher’s podium. Their bowed forms were concealed in dark prayer robes that hid their faces in shadow. Thirty of them sat there, more than usual for a private service, meaning other members of Kalum’s family were arriving for a holiday visit. She glanced at the lone figure onstage huddled over a tome with stacks of pages and the figure raised a hooded head from the podium once she was inside.

The kneeling figures stood as she approached, bowing to Talitha in greeting as she neared. She paused to repeat the gesture and dropped her head as she bowed, displaying honor back to the holy family. Mulam Khelot—that was Judge Khelot, though he held the honorary title of holy teacher within the temple—pushed back his hood to reveal his noble, lined face bristling with gray. Talitha held out her hand and the judge clasped it between both of his own.

“Talitha,” he said. “Welcome back. We’re always glad to see your pleasant face in our fold.”

“Thank you, Mulam,” she replied. “I’m always glad to return. You make me feel at home.”

“You are at home. We recognize that you showed great bravery and loyalty to our clan by defending Kalum at school and we value your assistance in that matter. I regret that there’s still that much ugliness among those of us forced to share this planet.”

“Anytime, sir.” Talitha smiled. “Really. I’d do it for her again without a second thought. You’re right that there’s still a lot of ugliness on Ipir even after all our time and effort. Things have to change someday.”

“Yes. They do. Someday, hopefully soon.”

Kazrut Tahan-Khelot, the judge’s wife and current spiritual leader of Unifaith, moved to her husband’s side with hood lowered, her black hair tied back gracefully from a regal sun-dark face. She smiled at Talitha and clasped their hands together in greeting as well, bowing her head another time. “Welcome, Talitha,” she said. “Did you recognize the hymn today? I’m sure you did.”

“I did,” replied Talitha. “I think I recited that exact part we just heard for a youth service last season. Some parts were difficult but I eventually got it right.”

“Yes, difficult, and you did well. I was present for that one.” The high priestess beamed. “You were always a natural at reciting the holy words, even if you aren’t capable yet of understanding the true gravity of them. Now that you’re coming of age, like our beloved Kala, we’d enjoy seeing you at the altar by her side. Please consider the idea if you’re still searching for a path. This one might naturally be yours, both by blood and desire.”

“At the altar with Kala?” repeated Talitha. “Me and her. That’s…an idea.” The hooded figure at the podium gathered up the prayer items and hurried down the stairs to join them as they spoke. “Who knows where the future will lead? Our paths change every time we make a new decision. That’s the way it seems.”

The judge folded his hands into his robes and nodded. “Wise statement, Talitha. There are many roads. Which one you travel down is at the whim of our choices. Free will leads us to do bad…or to do good.”

“Aye. Glad you agree. Means I don't say stupid things all the time. Just sometimes.” Talitha glanced aside as Kalum rushed up to them, pulling the temple covering aside to reveal loose dark hair and a tired face. “I hope you don’t mind that I’m quartering here until Harvest Eve,” she said, turning a smile of greeting to Kalum. “We’re going out that night to a quiet student party—I’m sure Kalum’s mentioned something about it. Really tiny affair, but I’d like to fit in some spiritual guidance before then.”

“Yes,” said Kazrut. “She mentioned some plans to celebrate with her school friends. I also took note of Kalum’s request to use the main divulgence room for a salugalu ritual during your stay.”

“Right. Hope that’s not out of line.”

“This is your home, as my husband stated.” Kazrut bowed again. “Of course you can remain here to study. I hope it provides you with what you seek. Our ways can be quite powerful ones once truly aligned.”

Kalum knocked into Talitha with a smile as she nodded. “Thank you, Great Mother,” said Talitha. “I’m sure it’ll be perfect. No time will be wasted when we use that room.”

☼ ☼ ☼

Talitha shared a late dinner with the Khelots, who were wonderful and welcoming as usual. Kalum’s youngest nieces and nephews were present, bouncing with energy and remembering Talitha from her previous visits. Kalum’s older siblings, established Unifaith spiritual leaders within various wildland countries around Ipir, treated her warmly too. Despite the friendly reception Talitha found it hard to focus on anything that anyone discussed since she sat next to Kalum, who did everything possible to distract Talitha from the conversation. On purpose.

A gleaming smile and flip of uncovered hair whipping against her skin caught Talitha’s attention every time she reached for her glass. Kalum forced her to ignore furtive locking of eyes and prolonged touches whenever they passed each other a dish. She stared at her plate whenever Kalum mouthed silent words under-breath to her, word meant only for Talitha to pay attention to and to understand.

“—don’t you agree, Talitha?”

The sound of her name sparked her attention away from Kalum back to the judge. A flare of heat rushed to Talitha's face, since she had no clue what Kalum’s father was on about. She needed the man to stay impressed with her, however, so she agreed with him and nodded slowly.

“Oh…yeah,” she said. “That…that sounds right. But you know…I like to keep an open mind about things. Explore all the viewpoints before I make a firm decision. It’s my thing.”

“Hm,” replied the judge, maintaining his stare on Talitha. “Difficult to argue for ritual child executions that still occur within deeply tribal wildland societies, despite our great respect for native beliefs—”

“Ritual child executions. Oh. I see. Gotcha.” Talitha sighed, resting her cheek in her palm, turning away from Kalum’s quiet laugh at her expense. Delicate fingers traced up and down her leg underneath the table while she remained expressionless. “Of course I’m not open minded about…child executions. I meant I keep an open mind about…ways to be against that.”

“Oh. Good.” The judge gestured at his eldest son with his glass. “You see, Kaleb? The youth of Union are clearly paying attention to the issues of today even with all these society distractions. It’s not impossible for two worlds to co-mingle in peace and we can’t give up. That appearance from Raia tonight to sing with Kalum was a testament that the tides are turning. That was an incredible display, especially from him with his complexities.”

“Yes,” agreed the eldest, Kaleb, face placid as he nodded slowly. “Peace is possible among all sides with our movement. The expansion of Unifaith into every Ipirian nation means that the unification of the sects will be finally realized. Sisem and Sinum will find harmony at last, with each other as well as with humanity, as we are all here for a greater purpose—to save this planet. Raia, with his influence and Vangrali heritage, may be another key to that end. Praise God.”

“That’s right, Daddy,” agreed Kalum, nudging her head toward Talitha with a smile. “My disciple was a perfect addition to our ranks. Dala ana raijim. Praise God. We’re blessed to be together.”

“I mean it, Talitha, every time we welcome you back to our fold.” The high priestess met Talitha’s gaze pointedly. “Isten Dar will find new life through Unifaith and souls like yours with open minds will pave the way to our beautiful new future. Since you’re special to our Kalum, I’d personally approve your degrees to oversee your conversion. Your inclusion will be accelerated.”

“Thank you,” said Talitha. “I know I’m an outsider to these ancient ways. It’s an honor to be accepted by a blood descendant of the prophet. Your family lineage of bloodlines throughout our thousand years on Ipir is impressive. Even I can tell.”

Kazrut glowed at the compliment and agreed, breaking into a small singing prayer afterward. The family closed their eyes in respect as Talitha lay her hand over Kalum’s under the table while Kalum joined. The meal closed soon after and Kalum made a big show of being tired, citing the big performance at Ovadia’s fundraiser as the source of her fatigue. Kazrut smoothed Kalum’s hair as she circled the young priestess and tutted in foreign tongue before speaking firmly.

“Kalum, your fitting’s at ten,” she said. “Be prepared and on time. I suppose Talitha will join us for this session since she’s quartering with you and that’ll be fine.” She gestured at Talitha. “You can pray together afterward. The grounds will be quiet in preparations.”

“Yes, Mama,” replied Kalum.

“Hm.” Talitha turned to Kalum. “A fitting? What kind of fitting? What does that mean?”

“Ah,” said Kazrut. “It’s a shame you were too busy to participate in any of the others, but we understand the demand for time they entail. Kalum didn’t select any of those gowns anyway. She’s proven herself to be…picky.” Kazrut patted Kalum. “This time though, we made a private appointment with the grand master of bridal design. Kogo. You’ve heard of him, I’m sure. Just the one name. With his expert help I know Kalum will find something that pleases her and her prince.”

Kalum shrugged off her mother’s touch and looked away as Talitha remained unfettered at the news.

“Gowns,” she said. “Fittings. Something to please the prince. You said there were others so…how many have there been so far? Like…three or four?”

“Seventeen.”

“Seventeen!” A sudden laugh burst from Talitha as her attention streaked from Kazrut back to Kalum. “Oh. Seventeen fittings. Of course there were seventeen. Sweet seventeen. That’s how old we are. Cute.” She tilted her head at Kalum, who turned almost completely away, showing her back to Talitha. “Seventeen fittings to find a wedding gown for a queen. Who knows how many you tried on each time, Kala. Dozens—no, hundreds. I bet it’s been that many already.” She laughed at Kalum’s silence. “I can tell you’re dedicated to making your king happy. So much effort.”

“Well…friend,” said Kalum, facing her again with a tight smile. “I’m sure we can find time to fit you for a dress. After that dance with Adam you look ready for the altar yourself.”

“Adam?” Color rose in Talitha’s face. “What the hell…? You’re upset. Over a dumb fu—I mean—a silly dance? Are you serious?”

“Right, mate of mine. A dumb, silly dance with a dumb, silly dip. An intense look of longing too. That’s what the rags saw, anyway.” Kalum made a show of checking her COM display. “It’s been…four hours since that silly dance of yours. You two collected over four hundred seventy five thousand tags from your clip. Story’s exploding. That's a lot—and fast. Must be what everyone wants to see.”

“Yeah…well,” replied Talitha. “Whatever. It’s dumb and so’s this conversation.”

“No need to be nervous, Talitha,” interjected Kazrut with good humor. “We’d welcome a Pendergast to Unifaith as well, if the two of you decide to family plan together. An unusual union, a Vangrali transplant with a Pendergast, but perhaps that’s a sign of another step towards our future.”

Talitha giggled. Kalum stormed off to bid the sleepy children and her siblings a good night. “Wow,” she said. “Me and Adam, family planning. I’ll keep that in mind. No pressure. Thanks, Great Mother.”

Kalum said nothing when Talitha rejoined her and the pair separated from the extended family to head back to Kalum’s quarter. The priestess walked a few paces ahead of Talitha with head held high as Talitha followed, preparing silently for the argument that was sure to spark as soon as they were alone. They reached the door to Kalum’s room and Kalum entered first, marching inside with the door left open with meaning for Talitha to enter in after her. Talitha paused, gathering her will, and watched the automatic lights activate at Kalum’s presence.

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She’d been in Kalum’s room so often that it did feel like a third home. Kalum’s personal space had become a comfortable place for her to stay aside from her lodging at the orphanage and her school quarter, and that was long before they’d gotten as close as they had. Her gaze passed over Kalum’s well-kept library of spiritual texts within the room’s private prayer area, her attention settling on the bed where Kalum slept. Blackout shutters concealed most of the floor-to-ceiling windows against the western wall, except for the panel where Kalum stood by and waited.

Kalum had tossed her prayer robe aside upon entry, remaining in the temple dress she wore underneath the decorated ceremonial garb, appearing like a streak of ink in front of the window. Talitha closed the door behind her and walked through the bedroom to approach the huddled figure, a flicker of light and movement from Kalum’s COM signaling that the priestess had summoned a looping projection from Social Society. Talitha listened with building irritation as Kalum read from the article within the projection with mock excitement.

“Pendergast and Pender-Pal, a hidden romance for the ages,” Kalum gushed, touching her cheek with adoration. “Handsome young Cloverland senior and wealthy heir to the Silatem fortune has eyes for a sun-kissed Vangrali beauty who’d found residence in Altir with his family’s help. The romantic pair embraced poetically at the arbiter's fundraiser, delighting everyone with a steamy dance that could make a cryo-block quiver. They were serenaded by the siren sounds of commanding young Unifaith priestess Kalum Khelot, who was as shocked as the rest of us when risque wildland superstar Jackal made a surprise appearance—”

Talitha slapped her hand down over the projection from Kalum’s COM display, the colorful moving visual of Adam dipping her low playing on repeat and shining through her fingers. She shook her head bitterly. “You’re fucking joking, Khelot. At least I hope you are.”

“Oh, you hope I’m joking?”

“Yeah. You better be.”

“Ha. What am I supposed to think?” Kalum snatched her COM away and closed the projection, turning to Talitha with her hands on her hips. “Adam, the player. Adam, Mr. Smooth. Mr. Concord Wolf. He’s everything I could never be for you and let’s not pretend that isn’t true. New girl every other week but he’s here now that you’re done with Spencer, jumping in to make his move.”

“You can’t possibly think something’s going on with me and…Adam?” Talitha replied incredulously. “You’re right that he’s with a lot of girls but he’s still my friend. It’s not my business who he spends time with or why. I thought you were on my side.”

“You saw the clip, Li. You saw it. Watch it yourself. Read what everyone’s saying. I swear, the two of you were almost going to kiss right on that dance floor and if the media hadn’t cut in between who knows—”

“No,” Talitha snapped. “We weren’t close to anything. We shared a special moment because of what your song—your performance—meant to the legacy of his father and for where I came from as well. You’re bringing up crap that shouldn’t be an issue. Just today you were laughing at Spencer for being jealous over Adam and now you do this. You’re one to talk about anyone jumping in after Spencer, too—I’m here with you, aren’t I? Shocking that you’re so upset. You’re corked and I hate dealing with this.”

“I know I said there was nothing to be jealous about,” said Kalum. “After that dance, I’m not so sure. Look at how he’s looking at you, Talitha. There’s something there on his end. Maybe there’s something for you too. Wouldn't surprise me either, knowing how close you two get sometimes. Don’t think Spencer’s the only one notices.”

Talitha seized Kalum’s chin. Their gazes locked, the gray glow from the cloudy skies outside casting the priestess in a milky light. “Listen,” she said. “I’m going to say this once and I won’t repeat myself. I’ll get really annoyed if I have to repeat myself. Got it?”

“What do you have to say to me?”

“I’m not surprised about where you and I are now. When you asked me out it felt right because of how we are. I decided to give it a try. Are you surprised we’re here?”

Kalum shook her head, her upset visibly softening, as they were now face to face and alone. “No,” she said.

“You and I are the ones that are close…and I mean really close. When things fell apart with Spence toward the end our relationship changed, and fast. I never stopped what happened in salugalu and you didn’t either. You helped me feel better, helped me feel good, and you cared. Made it easier to let him go. You’re still helping me.”

“Aye. I am. And you make me feel better about what’s happening to me. Like I have some control over my life and I decide what I want. I enjoy our time. A…lot.”

“I enjoy it too. A lot. I like you too as a person, most of all. You’re the best part.”

“I like you too. I really do. I feel…so much with you.”

“All right. So. Here we are. Let’s keep going.” Her voice lowered further and she stroked Kalum’s face, resting her touch on Kalum’s lips. Kalum softened further at the caress. “The dance was just a dance. I was friends with Adam before I met you and Adam and I are tied together through our families. We appreciate each other on a different level since it’s hard—impossible—to find someone who can really understand. That’s all. He handles his life. I handle mine. I’m with you—not him. Not Spencer. You. Period.”

Kalum’s smile returned, faint but genuine. “Sure. Sounds good. But they’re just sounds.”

“I mean it.”

“Okay.”

Talitha pecked her gently on the mouth. “Good. Now stop obsessing over trash gossip. No more rags. You lose your shit over it and that makes me want to lose mine too.”

“Whatever.”

“Whatever. Anyway.” Talitha smiled, still stroking Kalum’s face with easy care. “Let’s get back to you, Priestess, since you’re talkative. This’ll be fun…this time for me.”

Kalum laughed, picking up on what Talitha meant. “All right, ace. If that’s what you want.”

“It is, ace.” Talitha’s smile dropped into a sudden scowl. “Like I said—you’ve got nerve. Private fittings. Grand master of bridal design. Kogo—just the one name. The eighteenth fitting in just a few more hours. Un-fucking-believable, Kala.”

“Fittings are common before a wedding,” replied Kalum flatly. “A wedding you knew about the minute you met me. Before you met me, even, if you ever scrolled international news while you were over there in RedSect.”

“You’re acting dumb. Don’t do that. You know exactly what I mean and why I’m annoyed.”

“Fine.” Kalum shook herself away from Talitha’s hold and turned back to the window, folding her arms. “I didn’t want to upset you. Canceling would cause chaos too early. All seventeen of the other fittings have been within the past year, set to end right after graduation. I have to do it. Tastings, too, for the wedding feast. Lots of rehearsals for my part of the marriage ritual.”

“You thought I couldn’t handle knowing that?”

“No.”

“Wow. Thanks.”

“It’s why I like you, Li,” said Kalum. “Because you don’t want to handle it. I understand why and agree, even. But I couldn’t risk telling you and causing a stir.”

“I can handle it,” replied Talitha. “Don’t decide for me—or lie to me.”

“I didn’t lie. I just didn’t tell you everything.”

“Same thing. Okay?”

“Fine. Got it.” Kalum’s chin rose pridefully, her attention on the temple grounds outside. “I had a life before you. Your life before mine pops up sometimes too. Spencer was at the fundraiser and it’s obvious he won’t stop. You keep entertaining him. That’s not fair either.”

“I’m not entertaining him. I had nothing to do with him showing up. That was all him.”

“He doesn’t seem to accept that it’s over.”

“Well.” Talitha rested her hand on her hip. “Fair enough. I know it’s an issue. But I made it clear to him again when I talked to him and he was upset last we spoke. Told me to go fuck myself. I think he understands.”

“The two of you have history all the way back to childhood regardless of what he says when he’s angry. I’ve got to worry if there’s something still there between you. Something I can never match.”

“There’s not.”

“Great. If you say so then we’re even. The fittings are pre-scheduled and not my decision. It’s meaningless. If I don’t marry Malek I won’t need a gown.”

“So you’re wasting everyone’s time and money pretending you’ll go through with it.”

“Yep. But a lot of things are a waste in the end.” Kalum remained silent for a few moments before speaking. “You say you can handle it. So come with me and handle yourself.”

“To the fitting?” asked Talitha.

“Where the fuck else?” Kalum scoffed, shaking her head as Talitha moved closer. “Who knows…maybe it’ll be easier if you’re there.” A small smile tweaked on Kalum’s mouth when their eyes met.

“Okay,” said Talitha. “I’ll watch you twirl around for the family that chiseled symbols into your head as a baby. Sounds flare. Nova experience. Can’t wait.”

“Li.” Kalum tugged on the clasp of Talitha’s blouse, loosening it. “If you’re coming you better behave.”

“I’ll behave.”

“Are you sure?”

Talitha scoffed, glancing down at Kalum’s swiftly moving fingers. “I’m not an idiot—”

“I mean it,” said Kalum forcefully, cutting her off. “No jokes. You’re not as clever at hiding them as you think you are.”

“Yeah. Okay. Understood. You find me as clever as you do funny.” Talitha sighed, her attention moving down as Kalum slowly lifted the hem of her blouse and grazed delicate fingertips against her torso. The touch trailed upward to linger on the tips of her breasts, charging a thrill through her. “I’ll keep my mouth shut. Happy?”

Kalum raised her head to kiss her slowly, silencing her. Their faces remained close when they parted and Kalum’s smile widened.

“Good,” said Kalum. “Be quiet. You talk too much.”

“Sorry.”

“Hm.”

Full lips pressed against Talitha’s again. Talitha loosened Kalum’s temple robes and slipped them away, revealing the priestess in full. She dotted kisses against Kalum’s form and closed her eyes when Kalum returned the motions, removing the rest of her clothing with slow gliding movements.

Kalum’s warmth enveloped her with an embrace as Talitha led her toward the bed, a sharp tug bringing them both down to the sheets once they’d arrived. She dragged Kalum down to sit on her lap and her lids drifted closed as Kalum’s kiss moved from her mouth to her face and then to her throat.

“I miss having you close when I have to stay here and you’re not around,” murmured Kalum, guiding Talitha’s hands to rest on her hips. “You bring me comfort. Gracie, that moron…she ruined it and spooked my parents about staying at school when class isn’t in session. Our quarters are so far so it’s hard to make excuses to them for me to stay over. You don’t stop by the temple as much anymore either and it’s like we’ve barely shared time after coming together.”

“I know,” replied Talitha, gazing up at Kalum's flushed, glowing face. “It’s just easier for me not to be around until the Malek business settles—however the Malek business will end. I don’t have school service scheduled anymore so it’s too out of place. But I’m here now.”

“You are.”

“I’ll be here again if you want. Just tell me you want me to come back and I’ll find a way to come back. Always.”

“I want you to come back.”

“All right. Then it’s done.”

“Okay.”

Legs squeezed against Talitha's sides as Kalum fell over her, silken hair trailing against Talitha’s bare skin. Talitha sank her fingers into cushioned flesh and in another motion shifted their weight so that she was over Kalum, her own kisses tracing over warm and waiting parts. Soft sounds sighed from Kalum and Talitha savored every angle and crevice she encountered, burying her senses within the priestess.

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