"Are you sure you're up to this, Duvessa?" Bruce asked. "If you're not, you can go home. I wouldn't think any less of you."

"No. I'm fine. I think... it might be better for me to be here for a little bit." Duvessa watched the people around them.

"Are you still having nightmares?" His face was filled with genuine concern.

Duvessa nodded shortly. "Less now. I'm sure they'll fade."

They spoke of the recent kidnapping attempt of Duvessa that happened less than two weeks ago. She had been minorly hurt in the attack and had been saved by her brother, Torin, before the kidnapper could spirit her away from the house. Since then, Duvessa had had nightmares about the incident.

Unfortunately, the kidnapper, one of the house guards, had killed himself rather than be questioned by the Duke or the Duke's son. All he left were a few enigmatic clues in his quarters, pointing to an unknown person in the Bolerdourous system. Too many things as of late seemed to be connected to that particular system.

Bruce helped Duvessa from her seat, escorted her out of the ship and into the Senate house. The work that lay before them was mostly the drudge work of making sure that any and all of the new bills to be passed were decent and fair. And did not screw over the Amador system in the process. It was hard, dull but important work.

They settled in Bruce's office with their aides fetching and carrying for them as the two of them dug in the awaiting piles of paperwork. Several Senators and Junior Senators from other systems stopped in to visit, discuss upcoming bills or to congratulate Duvessa on her attention to detail. She played it off as luck as best she could, but was still quite pleased with herself on the matter.

After several hours, Duvessa, feeling tired, yawned and stretched expansively. It was no surprise to Bruce when she told him that she was going to head her quarters for a nap.

"Shall I wake you for dinner or let you sleep?" He asked as he looked over the last of the papers on his desk.

"Please, wake me up. If I sleep too much, I won't be able to sleep tonight. And tomorrow, I'll be useless." She looked at the grin that appeared on his face and waggled a finger at her mentor. "Don't you say it! I know what you're thinking!" Bruce just made shooing motions at her and then dove back into his paperwork.

Duvessa wandered the familiar halls of the Senate House, lost in thought as she headed towards her much needed nap. She automatically returned greetings without really seeing or registering who it was she speaking to. It was only when he spoke that she realized someone had fallen in stride beside her.

"'... She looks off into the past, captured by a memory... As the light from above is captured by her beauty...'"

Duvessa looked to see Senator Aremus Trine at her side. He was looking particularly dapper in his black frock coat and his hair combed back. For a moment, she did not know what to say. Finally, she murmured... "Rollag. I didn't know you knew his work." She walked into the turbo lift.

Aremus remained at her side. "Of course. How could I not know the great poet, Riven Rollag?" He smiled a charming smile. "I was looking for you, Duvessa. I thought we might talk."

She grimaced a little and then smoothed her face. "Senator, I'm really tired. Could we talk later?" Even though her bad feelings about the man had faded, she really was in no mood to chit chat. That required more effort than she was willing to spend.

"Of course. Please, allow me to escort you to your rooms." He gallantly offered his arm to her.

Duvessa inwardly sighed as she accepted his offer. 'He's not so bad. You're just tired.' She thought and then forced herself into a more pleasant mood. "So, what are you doing back on Coruscant, Senator?"

"Please, call me Aremus." He patted her hand. "Just what ever other Senator is doing. Paperwork and making sure that a bill isn't passed that is the detriment of my home system. I also hoped to gain the company of a few certain people. Yourself include, of course, my dear."

"I'm honored." She murmured, not sure that she felt honored. Still, the attention was nice. It made her feel more like a woman. Most of the time, the attention that was paid to her was either sycophantic or juvenile. Chaste attention from an older man was a pleasant change.

When they arrived at her door and she took out her card, Aremus gently took it from her. Then, he opened the door and escorted her inside. He handed her the card back and nodded his head. "Here you are, my Lady. Safe and sound." He looked around her quarters with an approving air.

Duvessa gently extricated her hand from his arm. "Yes. Thank you for the escort, Sen... Aremus. I appreciated it." She walked back to the door and waited expectantly for him to leave.

Aremus unabashedly examined a couple of knick-knacks before he turned, looking at her speculatively. He smoothly moved close to her. "Has anyone ever told you just how beautiful you are?" He touched a lock of her hair.

He was close enough for her to smell his cologne. She could not place the scent. 'He's not actually going to make a pass at me... is he?' She thought with a bit of trepidation, her heart racing as she stepped back from him. "Lots of times."

"I would like to have the honor of your company at dinner tonight." Aremus closed the distance between them again. "I'm sure you would find it a pleasurable experience. I know I would."

Duvessa took another step back and bumped into the couch. Realizing she was basically trapped, she stood straight and tall, lifting her chin defiantly. "Thank you, but no thank you. I'm having dinner with Bruce."

"Perhaps, tomorrow then." He purred to her, his blue eyes capturing hers. Aremus reached out and stroked her hair again.

She jerked back from him. "No. I don't think so. It's time for you to go. Now.... please."

Aremus seemed unperturbed by her reactions to him. Leaning over her, he gently caress her shoulder. "I don't think you realize all of the things you could learn from me. I'm a very good teacher..." He let his hand trail from her shoulder, across her collarbone and pause just below her throat.

For a moment, she was not sure what he meant. When she did, her anger flared, spurring her courage. Duvessa slapped Aremus' hand from her and pushed passed him. "I don't care what you've heard, but I'm not that kind of girl! Now get out!" She viciously punched the button to open the door. "Leave!" She demanded.

His eyes narrowed in annoyance, looking at Duvessa for a moment. Then, with a gentle sigh, his face was pleasant once more. He walked slowly towards her and the door, watching her. "Duvessa, be careful what you say to me. Many women would be ecstatic to take what I'm offering. Both professionally and personally."

"Go offer it to them, then!" Duvessa snapped, her arms crossed tight in front of her like a shield. She had had enough. "Leave before I call security!"

Aremus stopped, standing in the doorway, his stance making it clear that he was leaving because he chose to and not because she told him to. "You will regret this." He murmured to her and smiled. Then, he turned and walked out without looking back.

Duvessa slapped the button to close the door, forcing it to close faster than the automatic sensors usually allowed. She leaned against it, shaking for a few moments, wondering if she had just made a new enemy or just a bigger one than before. Shaking her head at the audacity of Aremus' actions and attitudes, she made sure the door was locked, then headed to her bedroom for her much wanted nap.

The next few days were very quiet. Partly because Bruce refused to allow Duvessa to go anywhere by herself after he heard what had happened with Aremus. Partly because Duvessa threw herself into her work and limited her activities to the office or her rooms. It made for a couple of very dull days.

Though, even with all of the quiet, several times Duvessa had a sense of being watched. Mostly when traveling to and from her rooms to the office. She could never figure out where the feeling was coming from before it left her. It was unnerving. Bruce had the feeling, too. It made him even more protective and guarded. He alerted their aides to the possible danger, setting them in bodyguard mode.

The very few times that she saw Aremus Trine, he simply smiled pleasantly, then continued on with whatever else he was doing.

After a few days of the quiet and protectiveness, Duvessa had finally reached her limit. She needed to get out. "I want to go shopping." She declared in a tone of voice that Bruce knew all too well.

And knowing Duvessa's shopping habits, he wanted no part of what promised to be a very long excursion. "Take Marion with you." Bruce conceded. He saw that Marion grinned widely and jumped up, grabbing her bag. "Don't spend it all in one place." He called after them.

Duvessa grinned. "Of course not!" She and Marion laughed as they disappeared out the door, leaving Bruce and the other aides shaking their heads.

Duvessa and Marion were close in age with Marion being a couple of years older. They often went shopping together. So much so that they had a particular routine that they always followed. They would hop the transport to their farthest favorite store and then work their way back, visiting each favorite store, with a methodical obsessiveness worthy of only the strongest of power shoppers.

About two hours and three stores later, Duvessa and Marion lounged in the transport car. They had been lucky enough to get this transport car to themselves. They were awaiting their next destination when a strange noise caught their attention. Both women sat up straighter. They looked around as the car began to shudder. Marion immediately moved to Duvessa, buckling her into her seat and then did the same for herself.

Just then, there was a sound like metal screaming and everything stopped. Marion frantically tried to reach someone on her comlink. She managed to connect just as there was a small popping sound and the transport car lurched and the car began to plummet, careening uncontrollably through the transport tubes.

Duvessa used every ounce of will not to scream hysterically. She did, however, whimper softly as she listened to Marion yelling to someone about the transport car. Once Marion got her instructions, she put Duvessa and herself into a crash position, telling Duvessa that there was a deep up and down curve that the people at transport control believed would slow the car down enough to cause it to fall back and land harmlessly at the bottom of the curve.

Duvessa's stomach hit the floor. The car's relatively smooth motion suddenly stopped as the front end broke loose from whatever was keeping it to the rail. Duvessa and Marion were tossed about within the out-of-control car like puppets. Suddenly, there was a loud grinding motion and the sound of metal against metal.

That was when the world exploded around them.

The first thing that Duvessa became aware of was that she was alive. Then, she felt the pain shooting through her body. That was went she realized the car had stopped. She cautiously opened her eyes and immediately regretted it. The world was on its' side and she was still strapped in.

Without thinking, Duvessa released her seatbelt and promptly fell five feet onto the seats below. She could not help but let out a yelp of pain and then sprawl there, barely conscious. Vaguely, she was aware of time passing and hearing voices. There were sounds of a struggle. Then, she heard and felt another person in the crashed transport car.

Someone was next to her, leaning over her. She finally recognized that they were talking to her. Opening her eyes, she was stunned at the sight standing above her. It had to be the most handsome man she had ever seen in her entire life. He was speaking... She concentrated on his words.

"We have to get you out of here before the car falls any farther. It's unstable. Can you stand?" His voice was a warm baritone. His eyes were dark and endless.

She tried to say, "No. I can't stand. I don't seem to be able to move." What actually happened was that she raised her hand, then dropped it, closing her eyes again.

Suddenly, the car lurched a little. Her eyes flew open in fear. The man was already giving orders to someone she could not see, telling them to 'get the other one' and he turned back to Duvessa, saying. "I'm sorry if this hurts, but I have to get you out of here." He easily scooped her up and began to pick his way out of the wreckage.

Duvessa curled towards the man who cradled her, holding on as tight as she could, keeping her eyes closed. A few moments later, she opened her eyes again to find that time had snuck up on her. She was outside on the ground with the man on his knees leaning over her. She tried to ask him about Marion but her voice would not obey her.

Seeing that she was trying to speak, the man gently shushed her. "Your friend is OK. She's over there with a doctor. She was hurt a bit worse than you. You're OK, too." He smiled to her. "I'm Jarel. Pleased to meet you."

Struck once again by how handsome he was, all she could do was stare at his uniform and metals. She saw that his jacket was wet where her head had been resting. She reached out her hand and touched the spot. Her fingertips came away red. Duvessa frowned and reached towards her head.

Jarel stopped her. "I don't think you want to do that. You have a nasty cut."

Finally, her voice was working again. "Thank you. And I'm sorry." She whispered.

He tilted his head. "Sorry?"

"I bled on your uniform."

Jarel laughed. It was a good sound. "Oh! That's OK. I was going to a boring party. You saved me from it. ... May I know your name?"

She was feeling very tired. "Duvessa .. LiCidan."

He took her hand in his and kiss her knuckles. "A pleasure, Miss LiCidan." He held her hand until the medical doctor came and whisked her away the medical bay.

Duvessa was mercifully unconscious for most of a day while the medical personnel examined and fixed most of the damage that happened to her from the crashed transport. When she awoke next, she was in a private medical bay. Bruce half asleep in the chair next to her bed. She smiled and then started to sit up.

Her movement woke up Bruce. "Whoa! Young lady, you aren't going anywhere. Lie back down." He demanded.

"But... " Duvessa began.

"No buts. Period. You aren't moving at all until the doctor clears you." Bruce had his 'stubborn' face on.

Their small discussion was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Hello...?" To her great happiness and dismay, Jarel, her savior stood there. "May I come in?"

Bruce frowned but Duvessa nodded. "Please Jarel." She desperately wanted a mirror but was glad she did not have one. She figured she looked awful. Bruce moved to Duvessa's side and helped her sit up. "Jarel, this is Bruce Orian. Bruce... this is Jarel. He and his friends saved me and Marion from the wreckage..." She paused. "Marion! Is she alright?"

"Nice to meet you." Bruce shook hands with Jarel, looking him up and down. "Thank you for helping Duvessa. Trouble seems to follow her." He turned back to Duvessa. "She's OK. She'll be in the tank a couple more days though. She punctured a lung."

Duvessa winced at the thought of her friend in pain and nodded. "OK."

Duvessa and Jarel looked at each other for a moment, not sure of what to say. Bruce rolled his eyes and said something about going to get something to drink. They watched him leave and then looked back at each other. They were silent a few moments more.

"Oh! I have this for you." Jarel brought his left hand from behind his back and produced a small glass box with a small pink and iridescent flower in it.

"Ooh. A Narada bloom. It's beautiful!" She touched the box delicately then looked up at him. "You know, I'm glad that you weren't just a figment of my imagination." Inwardly, she groaned at her lame words.

"I'm glad too. And I'm glad you like my present." Jarel quirked a half smile. "I was wondering if you'd like to go to dinner with me tomorrow night. That is, if you're well enough to."

Duvessa could not stop her blush or her grin. She nodded. "I'd like that. I'm sure I'll be fine."

Jarel returned her grin. "Great! When and where should I pick you up?"

Duvessa gave him the information and then he was shooed away by the medical doctor who came to give her a last examination before he cleared her to go.

Jarel and Duvessa sat at a semi-private table in the exclusive restaurant called The Labyrinth. They had spent most of their meal finding out about each other. Jarel was a young nobleman's son, heir to the family title, family fortune and a successful businessman in his own right. He had all of the right breeding that was so important to noble families.

More importantly, he was sweet, charming, handsome, funny and single. He knew exactly what to say to make her feel like the most beautiful woman in the universe. It was amazing all of the things they had in common. Love of many of the same authors and the same music. They liked some of the same games and pastimes. Still, there were enough differences to make it interesting. He was in charge of his family business, a mining company with no interest in politics. He liked time alone to mediate or practice his martial arts.

Duvessa was in heaven. She felt like she had found a soul mate. Someone who matched her perfectly in so many ways. But, as in all things, what goes up, must come down. Duvessa glanced up and saw that Aremus had just walked in the door with a couple of people. He saw her as she saw him. He smiled pleasantly but his smile froze on his face when his eyes drifted to her dinner partner. He said a few words to his companions and then made a beeline for her table.

Duvessa watched him come. Jarel paused his words and looked to see what was taking her attention from him. "Oh no." He murmured.

"You know him?" She asked.

Jarel did not have time to answer before Aremus was at their table. "Hello Jarel. Hello Duvessa. May I have a word with you?"

Duvessa sighed softly. "Alright."

"Alone." Aremus' eyes did not leave Jarel.

Duvessa started protest but Aremus reached out, grabbed her arm and halfway lifted her from her seat. "I'll be right back." She murmured to Jarel, then let herself be taken away by Aremus. She was silent until they stopped moving and he turned her to face him. She pulled her arm from his grasp. "Just what is your problem?!" She demanded.

"Do you have any idea who you are with? What are you doing with him?" Aremus' words were low and intense. He paused, really looking at her, taking in the residual cuts and bruises from the recent excitement. "What happened to you?" His frown deepened.

"I was in a transport accident two days ago. And yes, I know who I'm with. Jarel Vassily. The man who single-handedly saved me from that transport accident." She glared at him. "Now. What is your problem?"

"That man is not what he seems. He's very dangerous. I don't want you with him."

Duvessa's mouth dropped in surprise. "You don't want me with him? You. Who are you to tell me who I can and can't see? I don't believe you!" She made a dismissing motion and turned to walk from him.

Aremus captured her arm again. "Duvessa! You must listen to me. He -is- dangerous!"

Once more, she pulled from him. "Don't touch me again." She spat the words at him. She was really angry. "Jarel is not dangerous. If you remember, he -saved- me from the transport wreck." She paused, glaring at him. "I know what your problem is. You're jealous! You'd better get yourself under control Senator. I've had enough of this." She hissed at him, her eyes flashing.

For once, Aremus was shocked into silence, though, it did not last long. "Jealous? You think I'm jealous of that... that conniving whelp?" He grew very quiet and serious. "I am not jealous of him. I'm just looking out for your safety. He will hurt you."

"That's exactly it." She lifted her chin regally. "You are jealous. Now, I'm going to go and finish my meal with that 'conniving whelp.' I suggest you return to your dinner companions." She turned on her heel and strode back to her table, leaving Aremus standing there.

When she returned to her table, Jarel stood, reseating her. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Duvessa nodded. "He really doesn't like you."

"Good. You should be careful. He's not a nice man." Jarel reseated himself. "I'm not surprise he doesn't like me. The feeling is mutual. I've had to deal with him in the past."

"You have?" Duvessa leaned forward. "When? What happened?"

"Oh. He's the Senator of my home system. We have to make we follow all the laws put down by the Senate. He can be a real hard fellow to deal with." Jarel glanced over in Aremus' direction. "That and he dated the sister of one of my friends. Used her and then threw her away." He shook his head and sighed. "It was very sad."

"I'm sorry." Duvessa frowned. "Well, we shouldn't talk about him. I'm here with you, having a wonderful dinner. Let's talk about more pleasant subjects... like dessert!"

He laughed. "My pleasure." And the two of them began a lively but playful debate on the merits of Vondian chocolate torts versus merits of Shinsedryan cheesecake.

This is the prequel to the "Tales of the Iridum Rose" from Duvessa's point of view.
(c) 1999 - Eden Blackthorn