Star Wars: The Last Qymaili | ✔

23 | It Can't Be

Arna's voice was cool as they stood in the foyer. "I'll be outside once you're ready to leave—I need to check on the ship." She nodded, and they parted ways.

A rough banging sound crashed outside, followed by a growl. "Jedi segserne." She translated the words as Jedi scum, gasping at the voice that had said it.

No. It can't be. She bolted to her feet and quickened her pace, walking outside to see....

Bent helping Qymaen to his feet.

She walked up to them and spoke in Basic. "Did someone knock you down?"

"A Jedi just stormed out of the other room and knocked me down," Qymaen replied in the same tongue, irritation in his voice. "Are you lost?"

He doesn't recognize me? "No," she said, shoving her hands in her pockets. "I'm with him."

"Excuse me," Bent said, looking to an exit of the Senate Hall. "I must attend to the izvoshra. Coming along?"

"I'll stay here," Qymaen said, faintly smiling beneath his mask. "Thank you." Their friend exited the room, and the two of them were alone.

"You are Kaleesh," he stated simply. "Why is your accent Mandalorian?"

"I've....I've been with the Mandalorians for a while." Why doesn't he recognize me?

He caught her stare. "Is there something on my mask?"

A strip of cloth was wrapped around his head, spotted with dull maroon. "You're injured," she whispered softly. "Sheelal—"

"I'm not going by that name anymore."

She cocked her head. "But the Chancellor called you that."

"Unfortunately."

"Well, then, what should I call you?"

"Khetsuu."

She swallowed. The grievous one. "Can we speak alone?"

"I'm afraid I can't just talk to any random stranger," he said. "Not till my second-in-command gets back here, anyway."

Any random stranger. Tears stung her eyes like hornets' needles, but she blinked them away. "I'm not just any random stranger. You know me."

He chuckled. "How would I? Nobody's left Kalee since....I don't even know how long."

She gripped his hand, but he pulled away as if he'd been burned. "Don't touch me like that."

A heavy weight slammed into her chest. "Qymaen, listen to me!"

His eyes widened at the use of his first name, and he beckoned her to stand against the wall and spoke quietly in her ear. "Who are you?"

She trembled. "I...." Her voice lowered to a whisper. "I'm Ronderu. Ronderu lij Kummar."

Eyes wide, he fumbled for the fabric concealing her face. Her cheeks were cold as he lifted her veil away. Harsh awareness about the gauntness of her cheeks dawned on her as he studied her for a long moment.

His hands and shoulders dropped. "I....I apologize for my behavior."

"Qymaen, it's me. Do I have to slap you to prove it?"

He stepped away. "I don't trust my senses anymore," he murmured. "I see her everywhere." He gently fastened the veil back across her face, then bowed slightly. "I pray you will someday forgive me for my actions."

"Qymaen, I want you. Hold me."

"You can't be her," he said, more insistently. "She would have never run off with the Mandalorians....she would have fought every guard in order to come home to be with me...." His voice slurred more and more with each word, and he began to stumble. "My head...."