Stolen Dream

Chapter Eight

The sun was just beginning to descend when Sanyo woke and turned to Aliya, nudging her awake. "Do you think Javen is awake yet?" he asked, nuzzling her neck.

Aliya chuckled and her arms wrapped around him automatically. "I doubt it. You're just impatient for news of your brother."

"So?"

"Just stating a fact."

"Hmm," he hummed against her lips, nudging them open so he could kiss her thoroughly, slipping his tongue inside to dance with hers.

A knock sounded at the door and Aliya immediately vanished.

Sanyo adjusted the bedding so her camouflaged body wouldn't be noticeable. "Enter," he called, sitting up and facing the doorway.

"I didn't wake you, did I?" Javen asked with concern, studying the mussed covers and the chagrined look on his uncle's face.

"No, I'm up. Shall we get breakfast and have that talk you promised me?"

"That sounds great. Where's Aliya?"

"She'll join us later," he replied casually and led his nephew out of his bedroom. They went out together into the large protected area around his home and did some hunting. They caught their fill of fish, topped up with some greens, and returned to Sanyo's private chambers where Aliya was waiting for them.

"Keyvon and Rave send their salutations and hope that you're both well," Javen began formally.

"Relax, Javen. When we are alone together, I'm more your uncle than your Sovereign. I don't mind casual conversation. In fact, it's a nice change from the majority of conversations I have."

Javen took a breath and nodded. "Alright, I can remember that."

"How's your sister?"

Javen immediately smiled, his silver eyes warming at the thought of Keyla. She was several years younger than him, but that hadn't stopped her from wanting desperately to join him on his pilgrimage back to the ocean. "She's a very spirited young mermaid," he said with a laugh. "She wanted to come, but Mom and Dad said she's not quite old enough yet. They want more time with her."

"Understandable. I can't imagine giving up my child—even for their own good," Aliya commented thoughtfully.

"Otherwise all is well."

"How's Herbert?" Sanyo pressed.

Javen looked uncomfortable. "I was told not to speak of him."

"To anyone but us you may not," Sanyo confirmed with a nod.

"He's married with his own kids. They don't know about us as far as I know. Just Herbert and his wife, Yvonne."

"Good. That's good. What's it like there? Living in a lake?"

"Compared to there, this place is...beyond big. I never even dreamed that it would be this size. And the variety of fish and plants...," he drifted off, shaking his head in wonder. "I was told about them, of course. It was all described to me. But, I suppose, seeing really is believing."

"Your education?"

"As complete as it can be without seeing what I was learning about for myself. It's funny how you can get an idea in your mind, but the real thing is just so much bigger, brighter, different than you thought, somehow."

A knock on the outer door had Aliya excusing herself. She left to see what was going on, not wanting to allow Sanyo's private time with Javen be disturbed. She went out and raised her brow at the guard.