The air stiffened with their appearance, but her attention on it was short-lived as Lex came up beside her and handed her a cup of wine.
"I've heard the chatter," Lex said behind her cup. "They plan to ambush you about the nature of your escape."
Nyssa pressed the cup to her lips, stomach knotting at the revelation. "That should be fun."
Lex's sideways smile widened. "I've my knife should you need the added incentive."
“Thank you.” Nyssa glanced up at her Second, and Lex gave her a quiet wink.
Hugs greeted Nadir behind them, followed by a few smiles and nods to Nyssa by those who gathered around. Lovi appeared and gave Nyssa a long hug. The old man held her face a moment as he doted on her, and she couldn't help her smile. Until Nadir squeezed her shoulders and told her it was time to get started. Lovi told him to relax, but he swept out the tent a moment after nonetheless, intent on not interfering with his children and their decisions.
The moment Lovi left her, a woman approached.
"Commander Storn," came her stern voice.
Nadir stiffened at Nyssa's side, and she knew without looking who this woman was.
"I wondered if we were still holding this meeting or if you'd found yourself too preoccupied with the return of your Princess."
"Sounds more like you didn't want to attend," Nadir argued.
Nyssa slowly turned, preparing herself to lock eyes with the woman who had hurt him and tried to take his position.
She was not prepared for the woman in front of her.
Skin of glowing amber. Light yellow and brown hair twisted perfectly in small sections, golden rings around a few of the ends and knotted sporadically in its thickness. She had it tied up in a high ponytail on her head, the length sweeping down to her mid-bicep. Firelight glistened off her high cheekbones, almost looking like she’d painted them with a highlight. She was wearing a snug green linen halter that showed off her midsection, her breasts swelled beneath the tight fabric. Muscular thighs and hips sculpted and flexing with every shift of her weight in her brown pants.
Standing beside this woman was like standing beside Aydra. Intimidating and gut-wrenching. Making her feel smaller than she already did. At least with her sister, she’d felt pushed to impress her, to want to be her. But standing by this woman… she felt like nothing she did would ever be enough.
However, the mere thought of how this woman had once treated Nadir swelled inside her, and Nyssa wanted nothing more than to punch her in the throat. Nyssa’s chin rose, back straightening as tall as she could make herself, and she stared at Soli without blinking.
"Should I assume this is her?" Soli asked Nadir. "Or were you intent on not introducing me?"
An annoyed huff left Nadir as he placed a hand on her waist. "Soli, this—“
"I don'tbelongto anyone," Nyssa cut in, rage dripping from her voice as she stepped from his grasp and straightened to the woman. "I am a free being with her own mouth and thoughts, fully capable of speaking for herself and taking what she wants. I am as corporeal as you and standing in front of you. Most people would ask directly for a name instead of speaking over another as though they are some sort of mute creature. Or are you so enamored by the Commander that you thought he would speak for me too?"
Soli balked. "Excuse me?"
"My name is Nyssari Eaglefyre," Nyssa said. "And you are excused."
Lex choked on her drink.
Soli stared at her, and Nyssa had not felt such hatred for another Lesser being since Rhaif. But Soli's eyes darted behind her, weight shifting as she looked to Nadir, and then she settled back before Nyssa.
"Soli Amberglass," she introduced herself.
"I've read the stories," Nyssa snapped.
"Do tell," Soli mused. "Has Storn been showing it off again? He does like the old stories about me. Unfortunately, the great serpent evaded me that day. Not to worry. I'll take its head one day despite ourstrongCommander being intent on keeping it alive."
"That great serpent helped me escape Man's camp," Nyssa countered. "So if you'd like its head, you'll go through me as well."
A sly brow lifted on Soli's face, and she gave her a full once over. "Yes, how did you escape when you were supposedly tied up, I wonder."
And Nyssa could feel the accusation on her tongue.
Her feet moved forward.
