Close Obsession (The Krinar Chronicles 2)

“Yes,” Delia confirmed. “Have you already heard the name?”

“I have,” Mia told her carefully, not sure how much she should say to someone who was apparently with Korum’s opponent. “He’s on the Council, right?”

Delia nodded. “Yes, and he’s also in charge of relations with the human governments.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s right,” Mia said, trying to figure out how much the girl knew about the apparent tension between their lovers.

As though reading her mind, Delia gave her a reassuring look. “You don’t have to worry, Mia,” she told her. “Even though our cheren have had their share of political differences, I’m not here as Arus’s representative or anything like that. I just thought you might be feeling a little overwhelmed with everything and could use someone to talk to –”

Mia gave her a sheepish smile. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply –”

Delia smiled back. “You didn’t. Don’t worry about it. I just wanted to clear up any misunderstanding and set your mind at ease.”

“So how long have you and Arus been together?” Mia asked, eager to change the subject. “And is that what you would call Arus, your cheren?”

“Yes,” Delia said. “Cheren is what a charl would call his or her lover.”

“I see.” Now she had a Krinar term for what Korum was to her. “So when did you meet Arus? Was it when they first arrived?”

“I met him a long time ago.” Delia gave her a calm smile. “What about you? Have you been with Korum long?”

Mia shook her head. “Not at all. I only met him about a month ago in New York, in Central Park.”

“When you were part of the Resistance?” Delia asked, staring at her with those large, liquid brown eyes.

Mia flushed slightly. Everyone in Lenkarda seemed to know her involvement with the attempted attack on the colonies. “No,” she said. “I only met the Resistance fighters later.”

“So you became Korum’s charl first and then joined the Resistance?” Delia seemed perplexed by that sequence of events.

Mia sighed. “They approached me soon after I met him, and I agreed to help. I thought I was doing the right thing at the time.”

“I see,” Delia said, studying her carefully. “I guess Korum is not the easiest cheren, is he?”

The color in Mia’s cheeks intensified. “I’m not sure what you mean,” she said, staring at Delia with a slight frown on her face.

“I’m sorry.” Delia looked apologetic. “I didn’t mean to pry into your relationship. It’s just that you seem so young and vulnerable . . .”

“I can’t be that much younger than you,” Mia said, somewhat offended by the girl’s assumption.

Delia laughed, shaking her head ruefully. “I’m sorry, Mia. I put my foot in it again, didn’t I? Look, I didn’t mean to insult you in any way . . . All I wanted to say is that I know how difficult it can be in the beginning, being involved with one of them. Your cheren also has a certain reputation for ruthlessness, and I guess I just wanted to make sure that you’re okay –”

“I’m fine,” Mia said, frowning at Delia again. She didn’t need to hear about Korum’s reputation from this girl; she knew better than anyone just how ruthless her lover could be.

“Of course,” Delia said gently. “I can see that you are.”

“How did you meet Arus anyway?” Mia asked, wanting to shift the conversation in a different direction.

Delia smiled. “It’s a long story. If you’d like, I can tell you sometime.” Getting to her feet, she said, “Arus just told me that the trial is over and he’s on his way home. I should be getting back. It was really nice to meet you, Mia. I hope we get to see each other again soon.”

Mia nodded and got up also. “Thanks, it was really nice to meet you, too. I should probably head back as well.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Delia said, still smiling. “I’m sure Korum will be wondering where you are.”

Mia waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, he knows, with the shining and all.”

“Of course,” Delia said, and for a second, there was something resembling pity on her beautifully serene face. Before Mia could analyze it further, the girl added, “Listen, Maria is organizing a little get-together on the beach in about three weeks – a picnic of sorts, if you will. It’s her birthday, and she mentioned that she wanted me to invite you if I saw you today. Most of the charl from Lenkarda will be there, and it might be a good way for you to meet some more of us and make some friends . . .”

A charl beach party? Mia grinned, excited at the idea. “Oh, I’ll definitely be there,” she promised.