Being awake was now apparent. He felt relaxed though, and understood that being awake did not imply being on the run-around. Sitting there on the couch, with Rayko close, was enough of the world for now.
It was a gentle pling-plong sound that ended the cosiness.
Rayko stirred. She too was a bit confused at first, when she found herself cuddled up with Daniel. “Oh…” She wiped her hair aside. Then she looked at Daniel and slowly sat up. “Uhm… how do you feel?” As she asked it, she reached for the pendant she wore and flipped open the cover. “Hello mother.” She stared intently at the stamp- sized picture in the cover.
“Rayko, where are you? We are getting worried,” the voice of Ugidra sounded from the locket.
“I am visiting with the senator, mother. I told you that I do not know when I will be back.”
“Oh. I see. Pay my respects to the senator, please, and do inform us when you intend to come home.” The tiny display turned grey.
Rayko closed the locket and looked at Daniel. “Is your mother like that?”
“Never had such a problem,” Daniel said.
“My mother is really good and caring, please don’t misunderstand. But sometimes I would like to trade her,” Rayko said.
“Ah, there are people who are awake.” Sygra came into the library with a smile. He laughed widely as he saw the failing attempts of Rayko and Daniel to sit further apart; the blanket held them together. “Please, do not worry. I have seen people sit together before.”
The senator kept his distance. “Would you like some more privacy for a while? Just say so, I understand. You have gone through something intense. It is not like sharing a cup of tea.”
Daniel was lost for words. He still had no idea what had happened.
Rayko slowly pulled at the blanket, in vain. Then she gave in and leaned against Daniel again, who did not mind. “If you would please sit with us, sir,” she said. “Maybe you can help me in telling Daniel what I tried to do for him.”
“Of course.” After calling for fresh tea, Sygra sat down and together they explained to Daniel about the trance and the intended effect.
“You, young lady, delivered some very frightening moments to me, do you know that?” Daniel reacted, after they had done their talking.
Rayko, who held one of Daniel’s hands, nodded. “I know. Are they still frightening, young man?”
Daniel grinned. This talk was going on in such a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, and they had never before been so open and close. “No. They aren’t. You did something amazing, Rayko.”
“I hope you are serious about that, Daniel,” Sygra said. “Because it is truly amazing what she did. It was an act of trust and care. And…” His eyes drifted off to Rayko. “Dare I say it? Or do you?”
“Love.”
Rayko and Sygra looked at Daniel. “How do you know that?”
“I don’t really… know. It just feels like that should be it.” Daniel felt very thoughtful. He looked at Rayko. “And it is… how I feel, I think.”
Rayko’s eyes grew larger. Then she smiled. “Thank you. For returning the feeling.”
They hardly noticed how Sygra quietly left the room.
“I didn’t really know I had it, Rayko. Not with everything that has happened.”
“Things like that don’t matter, Daniel,” she said, as she snuggled up to him, his arm going around her as if it had a mind of its own. “Those are the things that set everything in motion. The ones that bring us in contact.”
“They certainly did that,” Daniel said. He rested his cheek on her head.
In silence they sat like that for quite some time.
“Daniel?”
“Yes?”
“I think I really love you.”
Daniel was slightly taken by surprise by that sudden revelation. He put a finger under her chin and slowly made her look up at him. “I love you too, Rayko.”
“I know.” She reached up and put her hand behind his head.
Daniel did not need much encouragement to sink into the kiss.
When it finally broke, Rayko’s face was red. “I believe you love me, Daniel. But please, convince me again.”
He did.
Both their faces were red after that.
“I need some tea,” said Rayko, “now really. You are…” She smiled. Then she poured them some tea.
“I think I must go home soon, Daniel.”
“Yes, you should, indeed. Before your mother calls on you again.”
Rayko laughed. “Yes. I am glad she did not interrupt… this.” She handed Daniel his tea. “Would you come with me if I asked you?”
“To your home?” Daniel was not prepared for that one.
“Yes. That was what we were talking about, I believe.” Rayko held back her grin, she was trying how far she could go.
“What would your mother say about that, Rayko?”
She frowned and stared at him with big brown eyes. “You would not be going there for my mother, or am I wrong? I would hope you would go with me for me, Daniel.”
“Oh, certainly. I am just not very skilled in things like these,” Daniel said.
“I can tell.” Rayko grinned and touched his hand. “I’m so sorry, Daniel, I was teasing you. But I would really appreciate it if you would come with me. Mother likes you, and Warlem does also. He mentioned you many a time.”
“Then I’ll come with you, Rayko.” He was certain.
“Thank you, Daniel.” She put down her tea and took her locket. She contacted her mother and said that she planned on being home in about an hour. And that she was bringing over a guest, for dinner. Very easily Rayko avoided answering her mother’s questions who would be coming. She had a cheeky smile when she looked at Daniel again. “She will be so curious now!”
The senator came in again. “I heard your voices, so I assume it is safe to enter again?”
Rayko put a hand over her mouth and blushed. “Oh, sir, I am so sorry… and this in your own house…”
Sygra laughed. “Don’t worry about that, Rayko, I am very pleased to see that you and Daniel are getting along so well.”
She slipped a hand in Daniel’s. “I am taking him away from you, senator. And my mother sends her regards.”
“That is very nice, thank you, please convey my gratitude to her. And where are you taking Daniel to, if I may ask?”
“To dinner at the house,” Rayko said, beaming at the idea.
“Ah, I see.” Sygra smiled. “Very good, very good. I hope you will enjoy the visit, Daniel. It will be silent here this evening, without you. But that is good.”
“You should start packing your things, Daniel,” Rayko said.
“Packing?” Daniel frowned. “Oh, yes. I understand.” He’d need to change clothes for the dinner at the Dandra ko Galem residence. He gently squeezed Rayko’s hand and got up, to pack a bag with what he thought he’d need.
By the time he was done, Rayko was already saying her goodbyes to the senator. They both looked up when Daniel appeared with his case and also the large black cloak.
“You should leave the cloak here, I think. We’re not going to need that anymore, I think.”
Sygra was not sure what to make of that strange conversation, but he nodded. “If you need it, it will be here and waiting for you. I’ll make sure it will be taken care of, Daniel. I took the liberty of calling a carriage for you, so when you are ready to go, then you can go.”
They both thanked the senator.
“I’ll see you again, later, senator,” said Daniel, shaking the thin man’s hand.
“No need to rush, Daniel. Take all the time you need. We’ll stay in contact, I am sure.”
