But rather the Commander and Eyes of Haerland.
"Why do I get the feeling you're up to something?" she asked him, holding her broken forearm to her chest.
"I don't know what you mean." And the teasing brow he looked down at her with made her smirk.
"You're a terrible liar," she accused.
"What's my sign?"
"If I tell you, you'll note it and stop doing it."
He chuckled under his breath, and she saw his chest expand with his great sigh.
"All eyes are on you tonight," he told her.
"You know what I know," she said. "Which parts would you like me to keep to myself?"
"The date of the King's arrival," he said, looking down at her. "And that their Prince is already here. I do not want a panic."
"And Soli?"
Nadir smirked as they paused at the door. "Oh, you have as much fun with that as you want," he winked. "I fully expect her in tears by the end of this."
Nyssa almost laughed at his assurance, and a memory from her past filled her mind. When Rhaif had first realized she had a talent for watching people, and he'd asked her in his study to take note of the Council's signs.
"I'll take care of the boring bits," Rhaif told her as he offered her wine. "You make sure none of them are lying to us."
Nyssa crossed her arm over her chest and took the wine. "I'll tap twice if anything is amiss," she told him.
Rhaif straightened over her, a smirk growing on his stern face. "Make them crawl, Nysi," he winked.
Nyssa inhaled sharply and looked up at Nadir. "You know, as much of an ass as Rhaif is, and as much as I would like to slit his throat, he used to say something to me that stuck."
Nadir's eyes narrowed, and she could tell his insides had grown cold at the mention of her older. "What was it?" he asked stiffly.
"Make them crawl, Nysi," she said, and it broke her heart to say it aloud.
Nadir looked impressed as he considered the words. "Dammit, I like it," he cursed. "I'm not sure I realized you two were close," he noted.
"Up until the Gathering," she said, and a sadness rested in her voice. "But that is a story for another night."
"I have a better saying for you," he decided. "And I'll not be calling you Nysi."
"No?" she asked.
"No," he affirmed. He leaned down into her ear, close enough she could feel the faint stubble on his jaw.
"Make them weep, Ari Storn."
A chill went down her spine, and his chin lifted as he straightened over her. She allowed the faint smile on her lips, basking in that affirmed energy he stared at her with. Knowing he would be by her side if she needed him but not there to take over or put her in a corner.
"With pleasure, Commander."
His gaze darted deliberately over her entire form, tongue darting out over his lips, and another deep breath evacuated his lungs. He reached for the tent flap and met her eyes.
"After you," he said.
It pulled back, and every head turned in their direction.
