Part 15 (1/2)

They finished their cakes in silence, and then went back to the car. In minutes, they were out of the mountain to where the flyers were, and were taking the monorail down to the palace, Kati looking out at the mountains in silence. She thought of Lui-Pang, and suddenly knew he'd seen her eyes change color that morning. Had he thought her eyes pretty then? Other changes would soon come. How would he react?

”You are very quiet,” said Huomeng.

”My mind is a blur from what I've seen today,” she said, and that seemed to satisfy him.

As they neared Kati's rooms, Sheyue came floating down the hallway towards them, and Huomeng saw her first. Kati felt the stir of emotion in him at the same time she felt Sheyue's desire.

Sheyue bowed to Huomeng, and smiled beautifully at him. ”Honored teacher,” she said.

”My work is finished for the day,” said Huomeng, ignoring Kati. ”Would you join me in the garden for a little while before mealtime? There are some new fish in the pool.”

Sheyue looked at Kati. ”Do you have need of me, Mengnu?”

Kati shook her head. ”I need to rest before eating, and have a lot of things to think about. I'll see you at

mealtime.”

As she entered her rooms, they were walking away from her, and Kati saw Huomeng's arm slide around the girl's waist.

She changed into an orange robe, looked into a mirror and saw that her eyes were their normal brown, a

sight that somehow comforted her. And then she lay down on her bed, relaxing, closing her eyes.

Mengmoshu. Can we talk a moment?I'm here, Kati. What is it?Huomeng showed me the big s.h.i.+ps in the mountain today, and also where all the people are living.I know. We felt it was time.There are other things.Kati told him about their conversations, including Huomeng's dreams. He says there is a plan being made by the Moshuguang, and that he and I are a part of it. I want to know what I'm being prepared for. What am I to do?

There was a long pause, Mengmoshu masking himself from her.

Mengmoshu! Tell me something!

There is a plan, yes, but we're not certain of it yet. Your part in it will be determined by First Mother, but I ask you to do something now. Think about what you've seen and heard today. Ask yourself what is good for Shanji, and what isn't. Then decide what you would do to make things right. Soon, I will take you into the valley to meet the people and see their everyday lives. What Huomeng tells you comes from me. Remember that, Kati. Now tell me about the other new thing that disturbs you.

Kati knew instantly what he meant, for he could see everything she thought about at the moment.

The changes in my body have begun. My eyes started changing colors today.

She felt a strange elation coming from him, even happiness.

So, you are becoming a woman. That is wonderful, Kati. I will tell First Mother, and you must tell Her, too. Now, do what I ask you to do. Some people have just arrived in my office and I must leave you. We will spend much time together in the near future, and I look forward to it. You're dear to me, child.

And he was gone. Kati was left shaken by the burst of emotion, the sudden feeling of love that had just poured out of him. Suddenly, she was crying, remembering her own father bending over her in the dim light of the ger, that same feeling coming from him as he stroked her forehead and called her his little empress. Where was he now? Did he miss her? Think her dead? And little Baber, with his charging horse-dolls; what did he look like now?

She wondered if she would ever see them again, and if she did, if they would accept her for what she'd become: a kept, pampered girl living in the Emperor's palace, a Tumatsin, living in the ways of the Hansui n.o.bility.

Kati was suddenly afraid.

They ate dinner in Kati's rooms, the food brought to them by Tanchun. And afterwards, they bathed together again, as they often did. Now taller than Sheyue, Kati was no longer ashamed of her body in the girl's presence, for their figures were quite similar. Kati enjoyed these times with Sheyue, for it was then when they shared their secrets, and were most like sisters. They slid languidly into the water, sitting silently across the tub from each other until Kati spoke.

”Lui-Pang kissed me today,” she said softly.

Sheyue did not squeal with excitement like a little girl, but had a twinkle in her eyes as she rubbed water on her white shoulders. ”Were his lips soft, Mengnu? Is he a gentle lover?”

”It was just a kiss,” said Kati, but then she told Sheyue everything: the feel of his probing tongue, the hardness of a nipple when his hand touched her breast, the tingling in her groin when he pressed against her. ”I felt his desire there, but did not let it go further than that. He honored my wishes.”

”Then he is a gentleman,” said Sheyue, leaning her head back on the edge of the tub. ”Do you want more from him, Mengnu? Do you want to feel him inside you?” Sheyue's hand dipped beneath the water, and Kati saw she was touching herself between her legs.

”I suppose I do,” said Kati. ”I felt desire for him, deep down, but also caution. It was my first kiss, Sheyue.” As she spoke, Kati also touched herself, imitating the girl. Immediately, there was a tingling sensation where her finger touched the tender place beneath her mound.

Sheyue was now stroking herself, eyes closed. ”Huomeng was also hesitant at first, thinking I was too delicate until I guided him into me. He is so gentle, so caring. The first time, there were tears in his eyes at his release. When I cried out with pleasure, he thought he'd hurt me.”

Kati was shocked, yet somehow not surprised. ”You've lain with my teacher? Where?”

”In the garden, and once in my rooms. Several times, all of them wonderful.”

”You will get pregnant by him!” warned Kati. ”Be careful, Sheyue. His mate must be chosen by the Moshuguang. You could make trouble for yourself.”

”I have the tea my mother sent with me,” said Sheyue, still stroking herself, breath quickening. ”I drink it every day, and there will be-no-child. Mmmm . . .” She sighed. ”I feel him in me now.”

Kati's own finger was rubbing softly, and the tingling was spreading throughout her groin and lower back. She took her hand away, but the feeling was still there.

Sheyue opened her eyes, and looked at Kati. Her eyes widened, and she smiled. Her body seemed to glow, a golden, s.h.i.+mmering cloud enveloping her. She waded across the tub on her knees, and put her arms around Kati's neck.

”Mengnu-you are so beautiful.”

Sheyue kissed Kati on the mouth with soft, full lips.

”Love your man,” she murmured, then stood up and stepped from the tub, the golden cloud moving with her.

Kati followed, rubbing herself dry with a soft towel that only enhanced the pleasureful feeling within her. She went into the dimly lit bedroom and saw a golden glow that was Sheyue climbing into bed. She put on a light robe, and turned to a mirror to put up her hair.

What she saw there both pleased and astounded her.

Her own body was surrounded by a halo of gold, a layer of blue at skin's surface, fans of red, yellow and orange radiating from her head. This pleased her, this first sight of her own aura, and that of Sheyue's. It verified her womanhood.

It was the sight of her face that astounded her, for her eyes were blazing like beacons in the night, and their color was emerald-green.

CHAPTER TEN.