Eye of the Ocean Book 3 Ji'jin Station

Eye of the Ocean – Book 3: Ji’Jin Station
He moved so they were facing, a length of her hair still held by his fingers and
being braided. “Ulanda, except for Mirwin, you are isolated from anyone who
might link you to this reality. And he will learn. And it wouldn't hurt you to
unlearn some of what you were taught.”
“So, we meet somewhere in the middle?”
“A little lower.” He tugged on her hair as though by mistake and blinked in a
show of distress.
She bit at her lip to keep from laughing out loud. He joked so seldom it was
always a gift. “A little lower, he already knows. Did it take much effort to find
someone so inept in everything else?”
The strand of braiding was looped and tied; he turned side to side to inspect
his work. “I thought you would find him attractive. Should I be honored that you
wished to spare my feelings by 'making do.'
She crossed her arms. “But then I'm so thoughtful.”
With a faint hiss, Niv tugged her arms loose again to arrange the sleeves
properly. His colour had darkened. “He is very resistant to pattern sickness.” He
touched her face again. His scent was that of the ni'at tree, the leaves, he shone
cobalt in the watery light. “You can work out your bad temper on him, find some
common ground between you, and he'll be alive to fight back.”
He held her against him then, rocking slightly, her face to his chest, one cheek
pressed against smooth warm scales. “I didn't wish to have you watch again as
someone you loved died slowly.”
“I would have let Nisstin die before giving him up,” she whispered. “How could
I have been so cruel?”
“Your need was cruel, not you.”
“And here? By expecting it, would you help create the same need? Or was
Mirwin really meant solely as a distraction?”
“If he was, then I’ve failed.”
She stood back from him. “And if he wasn’t?”
“As a distraction or even as a focus to this reality, he just isn’t that important.
Child, you’ve brought your fate with you.”
She knew he meant Rit. “My fate? I saw your choice and the result of it.
Empire is still here because of it. I’m just waiting around for what you do next.
You decide beginnings and endings.” Her beginnings and endings at least.
“You mock me.”
“Do I?”
The second eyelid flicked over his eyes, and his deep colour faded. “His need
was as cruel.”
Laurel Hickey www.2morrow.bc.ca