Perhaps life was more appreciated, more keenly felt, when someone who had been a constant in her life was at death's door.
A constant thorn in her side, but that was beside the point.
Navuh was injured, possibly dying, but he was in their custody. Areana was finally free, but distraught over hermate's condition, and Tula, who was the reason for this entire operation, had gone back into the harem to get the others out.
Annani was so proud of her. This was the Tula she remembered. The girl who'd climbed a sapling that was not sturdy enough to support her weight in order to save a kitten.
She was a hero at heart.
The war room door stood open, and the voices drifting out were all well familiar to Annani. For a long moment, she listened to Turner's clipped tactical assessments, to Onegus's cultured tone, and to Kian's commanding one. Pride swelled in her chest, mixed with the familiar ache that never quite left. Kian looked so much like Khiann, even though he had been fathered by a human. She'd chosen the man precisely for his resemblance to Khiann, her beloved, her perfect mate who had been taken from her before they could create a child together.
"Mother," Kian said as she walked in. "I wasn't expecting you." He pulled out a chair for her at the round conference table.
Subtext, she should have called, but Annani was impulsive, and she did not like to be told no.
She sat and arranged the folds of her gown around her knees. "I was too impatient to wait for updates. I would rather be right here and receive them as they come in."
"Coffee?" Wonder stood up and headed to the coffee station in the corner. "It's still fresh. I made it only a few minutes ago."
Annani usually preferred tea, but for some reason, tea did not seem appropriate for a war room.
"Thank you. That would be lovely." She accepted the cup when Wonder returned. "Any new developments since we last talked?"
Kian angled himself so he could face her. "The extraction was successful. All nine evacuees are on their way to the submarine. Navuh is still in critical condition, but stable."
"What does that mean? Critical and stable seem like contradictory terms."
"I'm not a doctor." Kian lifted his half-empty coffee cup and took a sip. "I'm just repeating what Julian told us."
The irony of it was not lost on Annani. The tyrant who had held her sister captive for millennia, who had orchestrated countless atrocities, had nearly died in an act of pure love.
"How is my sister handling it?"
"As well as can be expected under the circumstances. Esag finally managed to convince her to change into dry clothes."
"Is there any way I can talk to her?"
Annani did not know much about submarines, but since it was not the first time the clan was using one in a rescue operation, she knew that communication was limited.
"You can," Turner said. "The submarine submerged again after Navuh was brought inside, but the captain is keeping the antenna up."
She frowned. "Is it safe? Someone could spot the antenna."
"It's a calculated risk," Turner said. "Given the circumstances, the small risk of exposure is an acceptable trade for the ability to communicate with the sub."
Kian pulled out his phone. "I'll call Anandur and have him set up a video call."
Annani's heart started galloping. She was finally going to see her sister, actually see her and talk to her face to face. Well, screen to screen, but it was much better than voice-only.
Kian held the phone to his ear. "Anandur. My mother arrived a few minutes ago at the war room and she wants to talk to Areana. I thought it would be wonderful for them to finally talk face to face. Can you find Areana and get her somewhere private to talk?"
"I'm right on it,“ Anandur said. "I'll take her to the officers' cabin. It's not as fancy as it sounds, but it is private."
Annani's excitement grew by the second. Five thousand years had passed since she had last seen her sister's face. She had hoped against hope that Areana had survived, but she had only gotten confirmation after Carol had infiltrated Navuh's harem. The communication device they had smuggled onto the island had been voice-only, but it had been one of the happiest days of her life when she had heard her sister's voice and knew for certain that Areana was alive.
"Here." Anandur's voice sounded through Kian's phone, "The connection is secure. Take as long as you need. I'll be right outside if you need anything."
Kian handed Annani the phone, and as she lifted it, the screen shifted, and then Areana's face appeared.
