CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

“Someone… someone's done you wrong…
…you thought that your love was strong…
…now you feel like such a fool… poor you.
 
“…Thinkin' maybe if you said goodbye
you'd understand the reason why

the love you had felt so cooled…”

- Cockrell/Jenkins/Lerois/Price

When Parihn had requested a chance to speak a final time with Daros, Hatshepsut had almost refused. Adventurous was due to rendezvous with the hospital ship USS Hippocrates, hastening from Earth to retrieve Aedra, before turning to overtake the Liberty-led task force bound for the Roman border. And considering what had happened the last time the two exchanged words, and nearly blows, it hadn't seemed logical to facilitate another such potential conflict just before they'd all take their leave of each other.

This time, though, she had trusted her instincts… and allowed it.

They'd both apologized, Parihn gingerly, Daros grudgingly, and then the Orion had begun to gently probe the Elaasian's stance and feelings with a sensitivity and incisiveness M'Raav hadn't expected.

Perhaps I know people…

…but she knows men.

Hatshepsut refocused, and retrieved the strand of conversation.

“–rstand better than perhaps just about any other woman the male compulsion to be the best your lover's ever had. It goes with the gender. You can't imagine how many times I was required to tell a man who'd just had me that it had 'never been like that before.'

“I got sick of it.

“But, Daros... when a woman loves someone the way Aedra loves you—and I can see she loves you, or she wouldn't be half so ashamed in your presence—believe me, she'll find a way to make you the best she ever had… and I’m not just talking about physical love, either, important though that is. I mean the ultimate not only for her body, but her mind, heart, and soul, as well. Just as she'll be your best, if you'll let her be.

“But you have to be patient and caring, even though you've both been hurt—because I know you've been hurt, too, Daros—and trust in the fact that your love will do what needs doing. I know it won't be easy, in the face of what's happened. Trust me… I know far better than you think.

“If you both have the courage, though, I promise it'll be worth it.”

Hatshepsut had held her breath during Parihn's desperate appeal. The Orion's expression was almost pleading.

When she was done, Daros nodded.

“I'll try.”

It was clear from his expression, however, that though he'd heard…

…Daros didn't really believe.

“If you'll excuse me… Counselor… Lieutenant.”

He practically trudged from the room.

When he had left, the Felisian examined her friend with a concern that had waxed over the span of her soliloquy.

“They're not going to make it, are they?” Parihn whispered.

M'Raav Hatshepsut also knew how to lie… but also refused to do it, though her friend had clearly invested a great deal of herself into the effort. To have it fail….

“I just don’t know. Neither is ready to do what's necessary to facilitate reconciliation at the moment. He's more interested in assigning blame, and thinks much less of her now, despite his best effort… and he is trying, Parihn. The grip of his culture is preventing him from starting to let this go. The Elaasians still hold to the medieval idea that a woman who's raped is somehow unclean afterwards—unworthy of the man who'd deigned to love her. It's absurd, I know… but it's a part of his heritage… and those bonds are not only enormously strong, they're only a small part of a patriarchal mindset that's incredibly difficult to leave behind. You’re familiar with it; most Orions think of women only as possessions, and sex objects.”

Hatshepsut sighed.

“And Aedra… well… part of her wants to wallow in the guilt he's unjustly heaped on her, and that which she’s piled on herself—as well as experiencing a much more intense version of your own aggravation and frustration at what you experienced with Jerrell. SI's counselors have a daunting task ahead of them.

“But I have something I want to ask you.”

Parihn nodded.

“Go ahead.”

“What you said was beautiful—especially that little segment about love doing what it needs to do.

“Did you mean it?”

The Orion blanched.

Indignant, she snapped, “Of course I meant it. It's true.

“I only hope they can still find a way and take it to heart.”

M'Raav said nothing more, and instead simply affixed Parihn with one of her most penetrating feline stares.

When her friend's face changed, the Felisian knew her point had been made.

Chapter Thirty Chapter Thirty-Two