Neutral Space(26)

I couldn’t believe my eyes. I wouldn’t have recognized myself. I doubt even my parents would. “Impressive.”

“Will you load up the cruiser while I get ready? I’ll leave new clothes out for you when you’re done.” She said, heading back to the bedroom.

I loaded the cruiser, cleaned the kitchen, and made the house look as if no one had been here. Still, she was not ready. I changed in the downstairs bathroom and threw my other clothes into my bag. I hated the clothes she picked for me. A crimson Kelsairan shirt with black and gold trim and pants to match. She even managed to find just as pretentious black shoes. I suppose she had a good reason though and put them on without a fuss. Kheda was just coming downstairs when I came inside.

She wore a blue, low-cut dress that looked like it was made of strips of fabric rather than one piece. There were no real sleeves, just pieces of fabric gathered at her wrist. She had on matching heels that laced partly up her calf. Her hair hung in soft curls around her face and she wore makeup for the first time that I could remember. It wasn’t overwhelming, but enough to enhance her delicate facial features. I was speechless as I got to my feet. If I hadn’t already proposed to her, I would have done so then.

“God, you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” Was all I could manage. It didn’t feel like enough, but she blushed. She walked by, and I could smell her perfume. I followed her out the door like a lost puppy. I helped her into the cruiser after she’d locked the door. It was stupid, I know. This was a woman who could beat me in a fair fight, but suddenly she seemed much more than that. She was my equal to be sure but also a woman at the height of her beauty and femininity. She pulled a scarf over her hair as I climbed in.

“You look very handsome, Jackson, but I prefer you the way you were.”

“That’s reassuring since this is only temporary.”

“Tonight my name is Cia. It’s a pet name my brother will recognize but no one else will. He made it no secret what I did for him. You shouldn’t go by Jackson either.”

“Then what would you call me?”Kheda whispered a name in my ear. I won’t repeat it. She still calls me by it from time to time, and that name is between no one but man and wife. I gave her an earnest look. “I think Eli will be just fine..” From the way you talk you’d think you want your brother to kill me?

“Aya is harmless.” She waved it off.

“Not according to Uncle Tam.” I started the engine and pulled off.

She led me to Vali and once we were within sight of the city. I slowed the cruiser to a reasonable pace. The city was huge and built of gleaming white stone. The evening sun bounced off it, giving it a warm golden glow. Air and ground cruisers ran to and fro as people rushed about their business. Kheda led us through the maze of streets to the Theatre. A grand building that stretched skyward and was capped by a gleaming grey metal dome. Figures of Kelsairans and beasts that I did not recognize graced the exterior in exotic scenes. We parked the cruiser in a lot with many others and paid the fee before Kheda pulled me off to a small restaurant.

We found a table in the corner and had a quick meal before the show. Uncle Tam got us tickets, so we didn’t have to worry about that. The waitress eyed me over and smiled, but one look from Kheda and she backed off. Apparently, it wasn’t as rare as I thought to have a Ceron on Kelsair. I mentioned it to Kheda, but she said if they were anywhere on Kelsair it would be here, Vali was a melting pot of many different classes of Kelsairans.

I wanted to get a look around the theatre, but once inside, Kheda led me to the stage entrance. She told the woman at the door her name, that she was a dancer from the south, and that Aya would want to see her. The woman asked who I was and Kheda said I was her bodyguard. The woman nodded and disappeared. I could see part of the lobby from where we stood. The carpets were a vibrant blue with gold sunbursts. Strange winged creatures held up the wall sconces made of iridescent glass. And the massive chandelier matched.

The woman returned a few minutes later. “He will see you at intermission.” The woman huffed.

“Let’s get to our seats.” Kheda pulled me along. We found our seats in the middle of the lower tier, and no one took notice as we slipped in. The lights were already dimming. “I don’t know if you’re going to like this.”

“Why, it's just music.”

“It's Kelsairan opera.” I cringed at the thought as the curtains were pulled back. A man and a woman stood on stage with a strange instrument between them. Aya sat behind the instrument and began to play. The woman sang first, and Aya soon followed. It was a haunting melody and, despite the fact that I spoke the language, I understood very little of what was being said. I sat back and merely enjoyed the show.

The woman left for the next two songs but came back just before intermission. Kheda got up before that last song was finished and I didn’t want to go. She smacked my knee, and I got up.

We waited at the stage door for the woman to let us in. She came out just as the lights came up and seemed somewhat irritated. Kheda moved through the door, but the woman tried to stop me. Kheda looked at the woman “Where I go he goes, if Aya wants to see me then he comes.” The woman huffed again and stepped aside.

“Just keep your visit brief; this is a big show for him.”

Once we were in Aya’s dressing room and the door was closed, I looked to Kheda. “What was all that about?”