Page 17 of Damned and Broken Gods
“You need to be making friends with the natives, not alienating us by taking him under your wing. Did he tell you what he did?”
“He survived a storm. That isn’t a crime.”
Bina let out a harsh laugh, fixing Vick with an incredulous look. “Is that what you told them?”
Vick went ashen. “It wasn’t my fault.”
“You were the navigator. It was your job to watch the skies, to steer the ship. You sailed your crew into danger, and when your ship sank, you fled in the only lifeboat.”
“No, it wasn’t like that. Gia told me…she said?—”
“You can lie to yourself, but don’t lie to your new friends.”
Vick shot to his feet and bolted across the room and out into the night.
“Wait!” I tried to grab his hand but missed.
“Let him go,” Araz said, his attention on Bina. “Why are you so interested in who we befriend?”
Bina’s eyes twitched. She shrugged. “I’m not.” She walked away, her drohi in tow.
Silence settled for several beats, then Dharma said, “She wants something.”
“I’m sure we’ll find out what that is in due course,” Araz said. He lifted his mug to his lips and sipped, his gaze finding mine over the rim as if to say,We need to keep an eye on her.
Or not.
Heck, what did I know? I set my mug on the table. “I’m going to find Vick.”
“I’ll come with you,” Araz said.
We were almost at the door when Ravi’s familiar figure filled the frame. He was dressed differently to his usual fitted undershirt and loose trousers. Today he wore a cream tunic with embroidery on the collar. His hair was a disheveled mess, though, and his emerald eyes were bright with concern as they raked over me.
“I heard what happened at the affinity ceremony,” he said.
“She’s fine.” Araz stepped forward so he was bracketed between us. “No need for you to be concerned.”
Ravi’s gaze flicked up to meet Araz’s. “Excuse me if I don’t take the word of a drohi who has no interest in keeping his charge safe.”
Araz smiled tersely. “You’re right. I have been lax in my duties, but not any longer.”
“Of course not. Now you know she’s royal blood, you’ll do your job, huh?”
Araz’s jaw flexed, but the smile remained. “Yes. It’s my duty to be close to Leela. You, however, have no reason to be.”
“Leela is my friend.”
“Oh? Was she a friend before, or are you claiming her as one now that you know that she’s a royal?”
Ravi’s eyes narrowed, and he took a menacing step forward. I slipped between the two males, pressing a hand to Ravi’s chest. “I’m fine. And of course we’re friends.” I frowned up at Araz. “Can you please go find Vick?”
Araz tore his gaze from Ravi and fixed it on me. “Of course.”
He slipped away, and I stepped outside onto the porch with Ravi.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here,” Ravi said. “I had to visit Jangal domain. Alpha duties. I got back an hour ago. I heard about Pashim. I’m so sorry.”
Heat pricked my eyes. “Thank you.”
