Chapter Forty-Two

Cian looked over at Qui-Gon as they floated in the sauna tub. He was grinning broadly at her.

"What is so funny, Qui-Gon?" she asked.

He moved closer to her.

"We have been outflanked, Cian. And by a master strategist, it would appear."

Cian laughed softly.

"Yes, it would appear that way." She glanced up at his topknot. "I like your hair that way. It reminds me the Zenwislwin wizards of Xenos IV."

"I'm not sure it would catch on at the Jedi Temple, however," Qui-Gon said smiling.

Cian's breath caught in her throat as she looked across at him. She noticed he was watching her intently and she was extremely aware of his virile appeal. Though she had tried not to stare when he had removed his robe, she had been impressed at how firm and muscular his body was despite his age.

And, as she became more and more mindful of the silky feel of the warm water swirling around her, the sensual fragrance of the herbs, and the awareness that they both were unclothed, a delicious shudder thrummed through her. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as he continued to watch her quietly.

He drifted closer.

"Cian," he said.

She tingled at the sound of her name in his mouth.

"Yes, Qui-Gon," she said softly.

"Why haven't you spoken of your fiance, Major Sundancer?"

Cian looked at him in surprise.

"Jeffron? I don't know," she said. "I mean, well, he's not my fiance. Not yet, not officially..." Her voice trailed off.

"What is he like?"

Cian smiled. "Good. Kind. Strong. Well-loved by his men. He has this....integrity about him. He's...he's... very much like you," she finished softly.

Cian glanced down. She was afraid to let Qui-Gon look into her eyes, afraid he would see the truth she had just revealed to Vati. That it really wasn't Jeffron she loved.

Qui-Gon's hand rose under the water and lifted her chin.

She looked up at him. His gaze was as soft as a caress. As he gently stroked her cheek with his fingers, she drew in a deep shuddering breath.

"Integrity is important to you, isn't he?" he asked softly.

"Yes."

"And you would not wish for the man you loved to be other than what he is?"

"If what he is, is what I fell in love with," she answered, "then, yes, Qui-Gon, I would not wish for him to be false to himself."

Qui-Gon nodded. He lowered his hand, moved closer to her.

"Do you love him?" he asked.

She didn't answer for a long moment. Qui-Gon waited.

"I love Jeffron," she finally said, "but I'm not in love with him."

"Is there a difference?"

"Oh, yes," she whispered, "there is."

"What?"

"The difference is he does not live in my heart."

"And why is that?"

"Because my heart is already full," she replied.

Qui-Gon was very close to her now. Their bodies touched briefly beneath the swirling waters. Cian's cheeks colored under the heat of his gaze and their eyes were so locked on the other their breathing had become as one.

"Qui-Gon," she began. Then she shook her head, looked away from him.

She felt his hands move under the water and touch her, his fingers lightly trailing over her skin. She turned back to him.

She had to tell him, now, for Vati was right. Cian was heartsick and it was eating her alive. She cared for Jeffron and always would, but the man she truly loved, the man she wanted with all her heart and body and soul was here with her.

She moved closer to Qui-Gon. So close she could feel his warm breath across her face. So close she could see nothing but his eyes and she was drowning in them. So close that if she moved just one inch more her lips would be on his.

"Qui-Gon," she began.

His hands moved under the water, clasped her firmly about the waist and pulled her close to him. A shudder passed through Cian as he slipped his hands up her sides. She inhaled sharply when she felt the tips of his fingers brushing over her breasts.

"Cian," he said huskily, his eyes searching her face.

"Qui-Gon," she whispered. "Oh, Qui-Gon, I lo---."

"Oh! Forgive, most honored guests!"

Cian jumped away from Qui-Gon and looked over at the edge of the sauna tub.

One of the servants was standing and staring at them, his mouth open, his eyes wide. He was holding a bucket of flowering herbs. He bowed deeply, then rising, timidly showed the bucket to them.

"I was to have put these in earlier in the day, most honored guests. I did not think anyone was here. Please, please, a thousand pardons."

He bowed again, but this time did not rise.

Cian glanced over at Qui-Gon. He floated quickly over to the servant.

"It's all right," he said soothingly. "We were just leaving."

The servant rose from his bow.

"Please, I can come back. Please, you may stay."

Qui-Gon climbed out and wrapped his robe about him.

"No, that's all right. I think it's time we got ready for dinner anyway. Don't you, Cian?"

He looked over at her. Cian nodded and drifted over to the edge. The servant turned his head as she got out.

Qui-Gon, who had picked up her robe, held it out for her. As she slipped her arms into the sleeves, for a moment she felt his hands on her shoulders. He rubbed them gently. Cian tied the robe about her, then looked up at him.

He tilted his head at her, then shrugged slightly, a gentle smile on his face.

Cian turned and nodded to the servant to let him know she was not angry with him.

The servant bowed again, then scurried over to the herbal garden.

Cian followed Qui-Gon out of the saunahouse, her thoughts churning, her heart pounding, her body in flames.

To be continued...