After living in the Carpathian Mountains for nearly three years, Inara was still surprised at how easily everyone welcomed her and the children. Damalia was now seven and little Zaria four. Zaria had taken to a girl-the adoptive daughter of Gabriel Daratrazanoff, Skyler-who was probably the sweetest young woman Inara had ever met.
Skyler-who had recently joined with her lifemate, Dimitri-came over nearly everyday to spend time with Zaria who was learning to play the piano from another woman, Syndil-a musician in the band, the Dark Troubadours.
Damalia was still a handful, differing so much from Zaria who was still quiet and secretive. Damalia was learning magic from Savannah. She was between learning magic from Savannah and her schooling from Francesca, Gabriel's lifemate. She was best friends with Francesca and Gabriel's daughter, Tamara, who was the same age. She acted like a seven year old should act. But Zaria……
Inara frowned as she thought over her strange four year old. Zaria. She sighed, shaking her head. There was so much to worry about with Zaria. She rarely spoke aloud, preferring mind to mind communication if she even bothered to speak then. She had been unofficially schooling with Gregori since she had learned to read at the young age of a year and a half. Even at the age of four, her healing abilities were extremely strong, nearly matching Gregori's.
She was a brilliant child, nearly too smart for her own good and picked up anything after watching a demonstration once. That was part of what made her such a wonderful student for Syndil and her lifemate, Barack, and another couple-both band members as well-Dayan and his lifemate, Corrine. Their daughter, Jennifer, was one of Damalia's best friends as well.
Inara looked up when she heard the front door slam shut and little Zaria come striding by, her hands clenched into fists at her side. Her pouty mouth was set in a stubborn line that Inara knew well. All too well. Zaria was upset. Zaria didn't say anything as she marched right past Inara and Tiberiu to her room, slamming the door behind her. Inara glanced at Tiberiu who put his book aside and joined Inara.
Zaria's normally pristine bedroom was in complete disarray. Clothes were strewn across the bed and floors, drawers hanging open, hangers from the closet laying in a big pile. Then there was a scowling Zaria who was shoving her clothes into her little backpack.
" Zaria, love, what are you doing?" Inara asked, her voice soft and gentle.
" Moving away, Mommy." Zaria stated, sparing her mother a quick glance from her garnet eyes. Inara blinked, looking to Tiberiu who shrugged, confusion on his face.
" Why are you moving away, Zari?" Tiberiu asked, studying his beautiful youngest daughter who turned and scowled at him, her hands on her little hips.
" Because, Daddy, I don't fit in. I make everyone worry. My eyes are all wrong. I speak as if I'm an adult. I just don't fit in so I'm leaving. Moving away." Zaria explained, lifting her chin defiantly.
" Zaria," Inara gasped, going to her daughter and picking her up. " who told you that you do not fit in?" She asked, holding Zaria to her chest.
" No one. I feel them, Mommy. I scare people. Even Uncle Gregori worries about how fast I'm developing. He doesn't say it, but I feel his worry." Zaria sobbed, snuggling closer to her mother for comfort. Tiberiu walked over, sitting down on the overly large bed-a bed too large for such a small child-and taking Zaria into his arms.
" Zari, he doesn't mean to upset you or hurt your feelings. Uncle Gregori just worries for you. He wants you to grow up slow and have a full childhood. He doesn't want you to grow up too soon." Tiberiu cooed, rocking her gently.
" But I feel what he feels. I feel what all of you feel." Zaria sniffed, burrowing closer to Tiberiu.
" We will guard out feelings more, Zaria. We did not know we were causing you pain." Inara said, reaching out and stroking her daughter's wild curls.
" I guess I won't move away then." Zaria conceded, flashing a smile. Inara smiled and Tiberiu chuckled.
" For that we are thankful. We need someone to help with your unruly sister." Tiberiu said, brushing her head with a kiss as she slipped out of his lap and hurried off to get ready for bed.
Tiberiu reached over, taking Inara's hand and pulling her to him. He wrapped his arm as they waited for Zaria to finish preparing for bed. They both jumped when the front door slammed shut again. Inara sighed. Mali's home. She whispered, her mind brushing his. He nearly laughed at the wary tone of her voice. I hear that. He replied, laughter in his voice as Damalia stuck her head in the door of Zaria's room.
" Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad. I'm going to get ready for bed." Damalia said. " Night, Zari. Love you." She then called.
The bathroom adjoining Zaria's room was suddenly wrenched open and Zaria came barreling out, headed straight for her older sister. Damalia held open her arms and Zaria shot straight into them, clinging to Damalia fiercely. Damalia kissed her forehead.
" Love you, Mali. I really do." Zaria said, smiling up at Damalia.
" I love you, too, Z. Better get some sleep. Aunt Skyler and Uncle Dimitri are taking us swimming tomorrow." Damalia said, shooing Zaria into her room before hurrying off to her own.
" Come on, kiddo." Tiberiu said, holding his arms out for Zaria to leap into them. She didn't disappoint him. She bounded right into his open arms, her arms around his neck as he laid her in her bed, pulling the covers up around her as Inara kissed her forehead. He followed her lead and they left the room to tuck Damalia in for the night.
Inara sat on the couch, reading a book when Tiberiu returned from feeding. Inara looked up and smiled at him, her deep eyes shining with love. She sat the book aside, patting the spot next to her. He instantly crossed to her, pulling her into his arms and nuzzling her neck.
" So, one of Zaria's gifts has made itself known." Inara said, her voice intentionally indifferent. He heard the worry and concern in her voice-in her mind. She was worried about Zaria's early development just as everyone else was. He was concerned as well, but he knew he had to stay strong for Inara as well as the children.
" I noticed. I've sent word to Mikhail that everyone needs to guard their emotions around Zaria. Just to make things easier on her." Tiberiu said, running his fingers through her silken hair.
" I'm worried about her, Tiberiu. She's so young and so impressionable. I fear that what she did today will only happen more often as her ability grows. I'm scared of losing her to one who would trick her." Inara confessed, turning to him.
Note: This is a short story, acting a prequel to another story I'm working on. Maybe knowing what happened to Zaria will help you understand the next story-Tampra.