Page 29 of Warrior's Reign
She sat on the edge of the hard, straight-backed chair.
His index finger tapped once, then stilled. “TheBdakhunreminded me that I am remiss in not utilizing your full skill set. I believe in the course of your protective duties you conducted covert surveillance?”
He always used too many words. “I can blend into a background, yes.”
“There is some blending I require from you. I brought you here to discuss your readiness to undertake the assignment. You have only just begun your duties to theBdakhun, so if you chose not to accept committee assignments at this time, it will not discredit you.”
It was almost considerate. “Committee assignments?”
He lifted a shoulder. “The additional investigative work various members of Ibukay’s teams undertake on her behalf. Not everyone does, but as you already have a particular skill set. . .”
She nodded, hiding her eagerness. “However I can help. The nature of the covert work?”
“You may be approached. If so, I wish you to take note and report.”
“Are you going to tell me what this is about?”
“No, I think not. I want you to behave as naturally as possible.” He held up a hand. “Hold your questions. If you wish to undertake this task, we’ll repair to ops by the end of cycle. Evvek is compiling a brief.”
Evvek. She recalled his face and designation from the cohort dossier she’d been given.
A chime sounded. “Enter,” Vykhan said, looking over her shoulder.
Reign stood and turned. She recognized the older female who entered, sleek and lovely in palace regalia. Vykhan’s mother Aanyah, the current Rhyksai female head of household and FirstAdekhanfor the Heir.
“I was walking this way,” she said, approaching her son, “and I thought I might stop and see you briefly.”
Reign’s gaze lowered, catching on a bunch of dried long-stemmed wildflowers in Aanyah’s arms, scanning the tiny bright blue, pink, and yellow petals.
Vykhan bowed to his mother. “Was your morning meditation restful?”
“Too restful.” She kissed his cheek, then held out the flowers. “I pruned the garden. You need some cheer in your office.”
He took the flowers and went to a far wall, touching it so an inset closet door slid open, revealing supply storage. He withdrew a vase, then placed the flowers inside and put it on his desk.
“Thank you,” he said.
She turned to Reign. “And you must be the new human recruit.”
Reign bowed her head, but her gaze was trained on the flowers, attention riveted. She drew closer to the desk and reached out, stopping just shy of touching the petals.
“I’ve only ever seen these once before,” she heard herself say. “Where did you get the seeds?”
Aanyah smiled. “It’s a species my family has cultivated. You wouldn’t have seen them any place outside of my garden.”
But she had. Years ago, a ribbon bound sprig on her pillow, left as a silent goodbye from a male she had considered at the very least a friend, and almost, even, someone she could give her heart to.
Reign looked at Aanyah. “I thought I’d seen them before, but I must have been mistaken.” She glanced at Vykhan. He watched, expression neutral rather than the formal chill of moments before.
“If we’re done for now, may I be excused?”
He nodded. “I’ll comm you when Evvek is ready.”
She barely waited for his nod, turning on her heels and striding out. Once in the hallway, she stopped, leaning against the wall for several seconds.
And refused,refused, to think.
* * *
