Astonish by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online Page B

quite pleasantly attractive. “I have been sent to make sure that you are adapting well to being an planetary avatar.”
    Ceelie chuckled. “I am, though having time to adapt is the problem. We just returned from our wedding trip yesterday afternoon. This is the first day that we have not been engaged in Hassoi rituals.”
    Counsel tilted her head. “What did these rituals entail?”
    A slight blush didn’t deter Ceelie. “As avatars, we needed to celebrate our union with all of the population of Hassoi. This meant travelling from village to village and consummating our bond in order to spread the energy of Hassoi directly to his people.”
    “It sounds exhausting.”
    Laughter spilled from Ceelie. “You have no idea. Even Hassoi was grateful for the reprieve.”
    “You generate energy?”
    “Every time we couple. It is very rare that we can hold the energy between ourselves.” She shrugged and smiled as a tree held out a flower for her. Ceelie inhaled deeply and offered the bloom to Counsel for a sniff.
    Counsel inhaled deeply and smiled at the scent. “That is amazing. The forest just gave it to you?”
    “It wasn’t the forest. It was Hassoi. I am not simply in a relationship with his avatar as I am sure you are aware.”
    Counsel sighed. “We are aware. When Hassoi asked for you to be given to him, his avatar was an afterthought. Of course, Rimeer needed a companion, but it was Hassoi who wanted you specifically. He planted the need for you in Rimeer.”
    Ceelie would have stumbled if she hadn’t already known. “I see. That is a little awkward, but we already settled it.”
    Counsel stopped in her tracks. “What?”
    “I figured it out when I went through Rimeer’s memories. There was a glow about my images that was unnatural. I confronted Hassoi during our journeys and while it made for some tense days, we managed to sort everything out.”
    Counsel grinned. “You are doing my work for me.”
    “I try to make things easier for those around me.”
    “That is a very passive thing to do. Does it give you much trouble?” Counsel had gotten to the heart of it.
    Images flashed in her thoughts, the way her body responded to Rimeer when he gave her orders, when his demands put her in positions she would never have chosen. Embarrassment paled in comparison with the satisfaction she felt at his pleasure. Pleasing him pleased her and while it wasn’t the most comfortable thing to admit, it was part of her.
    “No, it doesn’t give me much trouble. I manage to muddle along.”
    They were a solid distance away from the men who were engaged in negotiations for some of the life-giving trees.
    “Have you come to grips with what you are?”
    “That I am destined to want him in whatever way he will have me? I have come to grips with it. We have struck a balance.”
    “Do you get to use your own voice?”
    The meaning was clear.
    “I take him into me, as me. He comes into me as Rimeer. Hassoi joins us once the fun and games have begun.”
    Counsel looked like she would like to crawl into a hole. “You understand why I am asking these questions.”
    “I do. I was not given much choice, but I do not regret it. Sometimes you know where you are supposed to be in the universe. It just clicks into place around you and your life starts to turn on its own axis at long last.”
    Counsel reached out and took her hand. “I know precisely what you mean.”
    The two women walked together and collected the flowers offered by the forest.
    Ceelie was learning her place in the scheme of things and knowing herself was the first step.
    Once the contract had been signed for a dozen of the great trees, they all sat for a meal before Representative Tau left with a smile. They watched his shuttle fly off and Ceelie sat back with a sense of relief.
    “I thought that he would never go. Those Tival creep me out.” She ran her hands through her hair.
    Rimeer came up behind her and massaged her shoulders. “You did well, Ceelie. I