Heaven Saga 2: Sands of Aquarius Read Online Free PDF Page A

I want you to keep an eye on him. He’s been acting strange lately,
detached from the rest of us.” Valis paused to enjoy the wine. “I’m sure what
he needs is revelry and fun, something he can get his fill of during the
layoff.”
    Kivi
laughed. “What are you suggesting I do?”
    She
took Kivi’s hand. “Take him out for a night of fun, your style. I’m sure what
he needs isn’t the typical Kalaidian night out, but one suited to his people’s
tastes.”
    Kivi
shook her head in disbelief. “Thanks a lot.”
     
    * * *
     
    After
a few minutes Kivi emerged from the strategy room and went to Brian. “I’d like
to talk to you later, alright?”
    “Sure,
anytime,” he said as she left.
    “What
was that about?” Mira asked.
    “I’ve
never seen her look so confused,” Seles said.
    Celi
tapped Brian’s shoulder. “Maybe our commander has the urge to spend some time
with this one.”
    Brian
shook his head with annoyance. “It’s my turn; see you ladies in a few.”
    He
went into the strategy room. Valis sat at the end of the table. Her purple hair
and aquamarine eyes seemed to sparkle in the dim light, highlighting her
beauty.
    “Sit
down,” she said.  He sat in the seat next to her as she held a glass towards
him. “Would you like some?”
    “What
is it?”
    “Kalaidian
wine,” she answered.
    “I’ll
try some.” She poured some into a glass, watching Brian stare at it for a
moment. He then swallowed it in one gulp. “Much sweeter than I expected.”
    “Do
you like it?” Valis asked before sipping her glass.
    “Yes.”
He noticed she was staring at him. “What is it?”
    “How
are you feeling?” Before he could answer, she waved him off and poured another
shot into his glass. “And no, I don’t want the answer you give everyone. Tell
me how you really feel.”
    He
gazed into the wine glass while swirling the liquid slowly. “At times I feel
very alone. They forget I’m not one of them.”
    “I
haven’t forgotten,” Valis said. “You alone represent your people, for good and
for ill. And try as you might to fit it you really can‘t can you?”
    He
gulped another glass of wine. “No. I feel pressure from all around. If I make
one wrong move my homeworld is doomed. The other races believe I’m superior.
Body and mind are one in the same to me and my mind is as fragile as anyone
else’s.”
    “You’re
talking about the Kai .”
    His
eyes glazed hauntingly. “What made it worse was her telepathic implant. Torturing
me physically is horrible enough. But it’s the way she manipulated my mind that
bothers me the most.”
    “In
time all wounds heal.” Valis poured another glass for herself. “Let me tell you
a little about myself. When I was ten I was sent by my family to live with
Celestia, a close friend of my deceased mother. When I was there I lived with Seles.
She was just a little girl at the time. I came to think of her as my little
sister.”
    “She
never said anything about this,” Brian said.
    “No,
we don’t talk about it with others. The other thing I wanted to tell you is
that while I don’t understand everything you’re going through I do understand
the pressure.”
    “Please
continue.”
    “When
I was eleven I entered the Kalaidian military academy in Vaelis. I was the
youngest officer in training ever and graduated at the age of fourteen. Only
five years later I became the youngest captain ever at the age of nineteen.”
She pushed her drink aside. “What made more difficult were the expectations.
Being a prodigy, I was forced to live my life quicker than I wanted. If the
Kalaidian military had its way I’d be an admiral and hating every moment of
it.”
    He
nodded. “I understand. It’s not just the fame that gets at you but the
expectations. Every time you enter a battle you should emerge victorious.”
    “And
that’s why battles like the last one leave me feeling so empty,” Valis said. “The
challenge was there but the Sheldik turned and decided