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Jamen politely excused himself from the discussion and shut down the screen. He hovered for a few seconds outside of the door. He should speak to Leesa and apologize for the human’s behavior. It was highly likely she’d not taken well to the tutor’s unusual teaching methods. He’d never come across anything like them on Earth.
Inhaling deeply, he opened the door and entered.
Paige sniffed, her face buried in her hands and her shoulders hunched. Knelt on the couch, she’d bundled herself into a ball. Jamen’s disappointment evaporated. He’d placed a burden on her with his expectations and perhaps they weren’t realistic. However, he was convinced she could learn Vendian with the right motivation. The key requirement was relaxation and an open mind. But neither were attainable while she worried about her abilities.
He placed the flat of his hand on her back and she flinched. Slowly, he stroked her, waiting for the sobbing to diminish.
“I believe you can do this,” he said.
“I can’t—”
“Can’t is a word I do not accept. Have you tried? Did Leesa impregnate—”
“No! Please, that’s such a horrible word.” She lifted her head and twisted around so he could see two bloodshot eyes.
“Why?”
“It’s so mechanical and thoughtless.” She wiped away the tears with the back of her hand.
“Then, forget that word. Make a new one in your head. The Vendian word is ‘siethrin.’ Say it.” He edged his voice with a firmer tone. Resolving her problem wasn’t simply about instilling confidence in her; she had to respect the process.
She chewed her lip before trying. The word almost sounded correct. He said it again, emphasizing the enunciation.
“Siethrin,” she repeated accurately.
“Good. Hear yourself say it and imagine the word entering your mind and bouncing back to you in English.” He used the technique in reverse, but it had worked.
“I don’t know what it means. I don’t think impregnate is right… it feels more like… incorporate?” She blinked several times. “Yes, that is the word. It’s there, in my mind now. I hear it and understand it.” She gaped at him in disbelief.
“The translation is all about fine-tuning things to your understanding. That is why the word wasn’t right for you, but what you chose is. This is how siethrin works. Leesa will help your mind focus on these words and allow your mind to… incorporate them into your language cortex.” He sat next to her and took her trembling hand.
“I guess I get it. But, I’m not sure about the hypnosis. I’m not sure I can let somebody do it to me. I like to give up control, I know, but that’s too much.” The tears had dried into streaks across her face and her cheeks were speckled with red blotches. Far from detracting from her beauty, the blemishes enhanced her natural features, almost giving her a tender expression. He yearned to take her vulnerability and protect it. She needed to let him in, open up her thoughts and find a deeper level of submission.
He ran his fingers through the tangled strands of yellow hair. Her cheeks flushed pink, blending with the mottled specks. The watery film over her eyes shone until she blinked. She reacted with a small gasp when he touched her scalp with his fingertips.
“You’re a beautiful creature, Paige. I believe you’re a brave girl. Coming all the way across the galaxy to be with me. I want this to work out for you. So, it’s important you persevere. You need to go back to Leesa and try again.” He loosened his hand from her hair, then used his fingers to stroke her cheeks. The pink glow remained but the blotches had disappeared. She was breathing calmly.
“Yes,” she murmured. “I’m going to do this.”
He smiled, pleased by her affirmation. However, there was one other issue that bothered him. “You left Leesa?”
She nodded, lowering her eyes. She knew she had behaved badly. “I didn’t explain to her what I felt, I just left.”
“It was rude to walk out on a respected tutor, one who has worked for the imperial family for many years.”
Paige closed her eyes, hiding herself for a second before opening them again. “Sorry,” she whispered weakly.
“You will apologize to Leesa.”
“Sure.” She slurred the word with a shrug of her shoulders; it was another inadequate response.
He puckered his lips. He doubted she understood how seriously she’d offended both him and Leesa. Etiquette was the cornerstone of Vendu society and shrugging off an apology was insulting. A hanjin should present their apology with a demure pose and a clear understanding of their error.
“You will also accept you need a firm reprimand from me. You should have excused yourself properly. You also do not walk in on my discussions and demand my attention.” He moved to a different seat, one that was higher up and narrow. “This will be quick. You need to return and I have work to do. Pants down, and over you go. Now, Paige.”
She stared at him wide-eyed, frozen like a statue. “You’re going to spank me?”
Should he snatch her, rip off her pants, and spank her hard until she cried again? Any previous hanjin would have suffered seriously if they applied her delaying tactics. He itched to test her limits beyond anything they had done so far. However, they hadn’t plenty of time and now wasn’t appropriate.
