"Say what you mean, Amberglass," she uttered in a low enough tone that Nadir touched her arm. But Nyssa felt the ash on her fingertips and saw the world vibrate around her.
Soli took a step back, eyes wide. She glanced between Nadir and Lex, and then she slowly turned on her heel. Nyssa shook herself out of the form, and Nadir reached for her hand.
As everyone took their seats, Nadir held out a chair for Nyssa, between he and Lex. But as Nyssa looked around the room, she shook her head.
"I like to walk," she said firmly.
Nadir exchanged a glance with Lex, who nodded.
She hadn't realized it would be Nadir's first official time seeing her in a war room. Just as it was everyone else's. But Lex knew. Even if she'd never been able to speak in other meetings except with Rhaif, Lex had seen her walk around those tables more times than once. Knew Nyssa's call if there was anything amiss. Knew Nyssa would be memorizing every person in that place.
Nyssa pressed her hand to Nadir's arm, and then she brushed by him.
Nadir stayed standing to introduce the topics.
She noted every word Nadir said, eyes sweeping around the tables as she walked and landing on the ones that watched her. The group at Soli's table. A few in the far left corner. Sutor gave her a smile when she met her gaze, and the women at her table all seemed relaxed yet attentive to their Commander as he spoke.
A few people shifted as she strode by slowly, her arms crossed firmly around her torso.
This was her forum.
Her chosen comfort.
Heartbeat steady and breath even.
Tingles rushing over her arms as though she were near orgasm.
The part of the war that she'd been made for.
She’d never felt more confident in herself than in that moment.
You cannot be tamed, climbed, or silenced.
Nadir asked for updates from the legion Generals as the first order of business.
"Before we get into updates—“ Soli said loudly, cutting into Nadir's plan. “—Perhaps you should explain to us why your Princess is walking around this room as thoughweare the ones under investigation."
Nyssa continued walking.
Nadir's hands creased in the wood of the table as he leaned over it. "Perhaps you should explain to us why her walking around the room makes you so uncomfortable."
The room shifted. A few people cleared their throats. But Soli only wrapped her arms around her chest.
Nadir scowled in her direction. "Nyssari can do whatever she damn well pleases," he affirmed. "After what she's done for us and put herself through."
"You've yet to tell us the manner of her escape," Soli said, head tilting. "This is the third time you've allowed the enemy of the Venari in our home as though this is some sort of refuge. And this time, it is after she has mysteriously escaped from the strangers invading our land. The same strangers whom we have all fought on this very beach. Tell me again why we should continue to look to you to lead and save our people when you continue to bring in such traitors?"
Nyssa paused at the end of Soli's table.
"Should you have something to say about the nature of my being here, you should address it to me and not to the person who has risked his life multiple times over to keep you all safe," she chimed in.
Soli turned in her seat. Nadir sat down in his. And Nyssa saw as the others exchanged weary glances.
"He allowed you here," Soli continued. "Why should I not question him and his lacking judgment?"
"Perhaps because it was both Venari Kings who asked me to come here," Nyssa replied. "Perhaps because not every plan needs to be shared with the likes of someone who will obviously only use said information to get herself selfishly in power by spewing doubt about her leader instead of allowing and trusting him to do what he does best: protect you."
Soli stared at her another moment, and Nyssa watched as her fingers creased at her biceps.
