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TENET: 58
Never make promises you can't keep.
- Dr. H.VynFleet, 132 Tenets of Childcare & Maintenance
YASMINE
Yasmine had stripped down to a tank top and shorts to do one last round of stretches before trying to get some rest.
The day’s excitement had her convinced she would be ready to fall asleep instantly once Pia had her good night story.
Instead, she had come back to her room feeling almost giddy with excess energy.
The childcare manual said high spirits after a long day were a sign of over tiredness in children. Yasmine wondered if she might be experiencing it in adult form.
Every time she tried to curl up with her holo-reader, she wound up having to go back and reread passages she had zoned out for. And her right foot was tapping like mad.
Hopefully, some slow deliberate breathing and mindful stretching would center her mind again so that she could rest. Today might have been exciting, but it didn’t mean the kids wouldn’t need all her energy tomorrow.
She eased her way through the first form, feeling peace settle into her limbs from the very first movement.
She was just beginning her favorite form, Parting the Wild Horse’s Mane, when there was a knock on her door.
She brought herself back to her center and opened it.
Ba’shir Kreed stood on the other side.
She hadn’t expected him, and his presence sent a sudden wave of awareness through her. His big form took up most of the threshold, and she could feel the hungry energy rolling off him. It was exhilarating to be so close to him.
She lifted her eyes to his and only then realized that the big man looked nervous.
“Come in,” she managed, glad she had tidied up her room before beginning her exercises.
Like the last time he visited, he strode right past her, heading straight for the window, as if he were going to fly out of it like some massive bird of the night.
She waited, knowing he would explain himself if she were patient.
Though she could sense the coiled energy in him, it didn’t feel like he was here to chastise her.
“You were amazing today,” he said at last, turning to her, his blue eyes flashing with passion.
The deep note of his voice sent another shiver of awareness down her spine.
“Thank you,” she said, trying not to shy away. Compliments made her uncomfortable, but she was glad he was pleased with the way the interview went.
“I don’t just mean the interview,” he said, as if reading her mind in spite of the circlet that rested firmly on his forehead. “I mean with Pia. You didn’t hesitate to run into that forest after her.”
“Of course not,” she said. “I’m so glad she wasn’t hurt. She went to bed peacefully. I don’t think she’ll scare you by hiding again.”
“Thank you for that,” he said. “There’s something else I want to talk to you about.”
She tried not to feel apprehensive.
“My chief of publicity called tonight,” he said. “He saw your interview and agrees with me that you should come to Pirn with me.”
“Why?” she asked, stalling for time.
“He said all the focus groups liked you,” he said. “They trust you, and feel you’re authentic.”
