Chapter Forty-One
Cian sighed deeply. After having spent the entire day with Vati, touring the villa and talking about their lives, Vati had suggested Cian might like to relax in the villa's saunahouse before dinner. Qui-Gon and Shiro weren't expected back from their inspection tour of the military base until later that evening. Cian had gladly accepted Vati's offer.
Now she gazed contentedly up at the dark blue canopy which enclosed the huge redwood sauna tub she and Vati were in. The steam from the tub mingled with the scent of fragrant herbs. Willows swayed above them and dew-dampened ferns surrounded them. Along the wall of the saunahouse, a tiny waterfall tumbled merrily over black speckled rocks.
Vati looked over at Cian and smiled. "You are enjoying, yes?"
Cian sank deeper into the water and relished the soothing warmth of it over her bare skin.
"Oh, yes, Vati. I am enjoying it very much."
"Then you would not mind if a personal question I asked?"
Cian shook her head and closed her eyes.
"No," she murmured. "I would not mind."
"Why have you not revealed your heart to Master Qui-Gon?"
"What?" Cian's eyes snapped open. She looked over at Vati."
"It is so plain to see. How heartsick you are. And he is the source, yes?"
"Sala Vati, I don't think---"
"I have upset you, I see, for you have chosen to be formal with me again. And that was not my intention. May I be frank?"
Before Cian could answer, Vati went on.
"I like you very much. And Master Qui-Gon, too, even though I have only known you both for a short time. Shiro will tell you I have a gift when it comes to people. I can see into their hearts. That is why I know you are heartsick. And so is he."
"Vati, I can assure you Qui-Gon is not heartsick. And neither am I. Actually, I'm seeing someone. Someone who is very dear to me. He has asked me to marry him."
"But you have not accepted?"
"No, I haven't, but---"
"You care for him, but you do not love him."
"I do love----"
"But you are not in love with him."
Cian shook her head. Finis had said the same thing to her before she left for Jalat. Was it that obvious?
Cian sighed. She gazed over at the older Jalatan woman. Cian and her own mother had never been close. Her parents had died when she was thirteen. However, even when they'd been alive, Cian had not spent much time with them. They had always been traveling about the galaxy as part of her father's duties as Senator for their homeworld. She had never thought before that she'd suffered for not having had a close relationship with her mother, but now she wondered. Other than Finis, she had not spoken of her love for Qui-Gon to anyone else; certainly not to another woman.
"Vati," Cian began. Vati moved closer to her.
"I do love him," she went on quietly. "I've loved him for as long as I've known him. But, you don't understand. He's a Jedi Master. His entire life has been dedicated to the will of the Force. It speaks to him."
"And you are afraid that if you should tell him what is in your heart, the Force will drown out your words and he will not hear them."
Cian laughed softly. "That's an understatement."
Vati nodded. "The Force, as you call it, does speak to him. I can see it in his eyes. But, perhaps he is ready after so long listening to it, to hear something else, yes?"
Cian shrugged. But before she could answer she heard male voices coming from the entranceway to the saunahouse. She recognized Shiro's and---her heart pounded in her chest---Qui-Gon! They were coming down the hall. Cian looked wide-eyed over at Vati.
The older woman smiled at her. "It is customary for Shiro to invite his guest to the saunahouse."
"But, but..." Cian looked over to where her robe was lying on the bench.
"Ah, my wife," Shiro called out as he came around the corner. "Look who I have with me."
Cian looked up as Qui-Gon strode barefoot around the corner, a thick blue robe wrapped about his tall frame. He stopped and stared when he saw Cian and Vati were already in the sauna tub.
Cian stared too, not only because she was surprised to see Qui-Gon, but because someone, a servant she guessed, had tied his long hair up into a topknot. He lifted his eyes towards his hair and shrugged. Then he smiled at her and Cian's heart melted.
Shiro had already taken off his robe. He eased his body into the water, then floated over to Vati and kissed her on the cheek.
"Did you have a good day, my wife?"
"Yes, my husband. Cian and I spent a delightful day together."
Shiro beamed over at Cian.
"I am glad to hear that."
He then turned back to Qui-Gon who still stood at the side of the tub.
"Come, come," he cried, waving at Qui-Gon. "The water is most delightful."
Qui-Gon nodded. Cian's heart beat even harder as she watched him remove his robe and slide his long body into the water. She glanced down, fearful he might be self-conscious at her presence. When she looked up, he was gazing over at her, his blue eyes warm.
"Are you angry with me?" he asked as he drifted towards her.
"Angry? About what?" Then she remembered. "Well, I have to admit I was a bit peeved, the two of you sneaking off like that. How did your tour go?"
He floated closer to her. "It was enlightening."
Cian smiled at him, then was aware Vati and Shiro were watching her and Qui-Gon closely. She blushed.
Qui-Gon glanced over at the elderly Jalatan couple. He looked back at Cian and his smile deepened.
Suddenly, Vati moaned.
"Are you all right, Vati?" Cian asked.
"Yes, my dear. But I think I should retire for a bit before dinner. Escort me to my chamber, my husband."
"But, my wife, I just got in...Ow!"
Shiro looked over at his wife and at her expression he quickly turned towards Qui-Gon and Cian.
"Uh, yes, I do believe it is time for my wife to rest a bit before dinner."
He and Vati moved towards the edge of the sauna tub. Shiro climbed quickly out, put on his robe, than helped Vati out and into her robe.
Cian and Qui-Gon exchanged looks, then they both started to move towards the edge.
Vati looked at them and shook her head vigorously.
"No, no, please, stay. I would lose face if I thought that because of my weakness you did not fully experience the healing benefits of the saunahouse. I insist you remain."
As Shiro helped his wife, he turned back to Qui-Gon and Cian.
"I will return short...Ow! Umm, it looks like I will see you both at dinner. Enjoy, my friends."
He and Vati disappeared around the corner leaving Cian and Qui-Gon alone.
To be continued...