Page 47 of Infiltration

At last, she shoved her chair to its usual spot. She paused and gazed at him, wearing a ghost of a smile that reminded Piras of Kila’s shrewd expression. He wondered if she knew she’d picked the mannerism up.

“You haven’t told Kila about your phased bodyguard.”

“He’s aware I have one. He just doesn’t know who it is.” Piras shrugged. He’d tell Kila…eventually. “Once our Nobek returns or a replacement can be located who’s guaranteed not to take my head over what I did to Laro Station, he’s gone.”

“I don’t blame you for putting it off. He has enough to worry him. Who knows what he’s facing on Bi’is?”

“Exactly my reasoning.” Sort of. Kila would be furious when he found out, and Piras cringed inside when he thought of the upcoming conversation.

What could he do, though? It hadn’t been left up to him.

“I’ll see you at dinner, Piras.” Hope came around the desk to claim another kiss, then she was gone. The door closed behind her.

“Door, lock.”

Piras looked over his shoulder at the man who’d appeared and spoken behind him. “You have something to say?”

“Just a reminder from the Book of Life: ‘The smallest secrets kept from a loved one carry the seeds of destruction.’”

Piras rolled his eyes at his once-promised Nobek clanmate. “Screw the Book of Life. And screw you, Lidon.”

Chapter Twelve

The irritatingly handsome warrior’s brow rose. “Such a mild tone for rude words. Do you mean them, Piras?”

Piras considered. “It isn’t because of exasperation or anger. It’s a matter of, I don’t care about your or the Book’s opinions.”

“What of Kila’s opinion? How upset will he be when he discovers you kept my presence as your personal bodyguard a secret from him?”

Piras thought he detected a hint of concern. He met Lidon’s gaze levelly. “It isn’t your problem. You overstep by inquiring into my clan’s affairs.”

Silence hung over them for a moment during which Lidon regarded him, his gaze unreadable. “I suppose you’re right. Since taking this assignment, I’ve been reminded of our past. It’s awkward to think how it ended between us.”

“Really?”

“You don’t believe so?”

Piras mused over the question before answering. “There was a lot of hurt then. I felt betrayed. It wasn’t pretty.”

“No. I don’t regret it ended, only the way it did.” Lidon shook his head. “The look on your face when you were told I’d clanned with Tranis has bothered me over the years.”

“It was a blow to my heart and pride at the time.” Piras regarded him and was a little surprised at what he realized. “You know, I don’t feel it anymore. Only some sadness we wasted so much of each other’s time. We spent fifteen years trying to make the other man into someone he wasn’t instead of waiting for those who wanted us for who we were.”

“You’ve found that with Kila?”

“I have.” His Nobek would no doubt be furious when he discovered Piras’ first love had played protector while he was gone, but they’d had their rough spots before. Kila’s jealousy had no basis where Lidon was concerned. Having his former would-be clanmate around had made it crystal clear to Piras. “He’s everything I need and could wish for, just as Tranis is for you.”

“I’m glad, Piras. I might have left, but I worried about you.”

“There was no need. Once I was done licking my wounds and realized what Kila offered, life became what it should have been.”

It was a relief to realize it was true. Piras was over Lidon. Their past was a distant dream, as if it had happened to someone else.

He turned from the Nobek who’d broken his heart to give his attention to his job. To the present, fraught with uncertainty for the empire and Earth…but not where his personal life was concerned. His clanmates were solid perfection, even if Kila decided to beat Piras’ ass because he’d allowed Lidon to watch over him.

* * * *

Kalquor

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