"He is not dying," Kian pointed out. "What can be urgent?"
"I do not know, and that is what troubles me." Annani frowned, trying to articulate the formless sensation that had been nagging at her since the celebration. "Perhaps I was influenced by Areana's anxious energy. She wanted to leave as soon as she could. If Kalugal and Lokan had not been there, she would not have stayed for the celebratory feast. She would have wanted to return to Navuh immediately after my speech."
"That's not healthy," Anandur commented from the front. "Being that dependent on someone, especially someone like Navuh."
"No, it is not." Annani agreed. "But Areana has been dependent on Navuh for a very long time. She does not know any other way to be."
They reached the keep a few minutes later, and as they entered the elevator, Annani turned to Kian. "Let me do the talking. At least at first. I want to take his measure."
Kian nodded. "As you wish. But I reserve the right to intervene if I think he's crossing the line."
"He will certainly try to goad me." Annani smiled. "But I am not Areana. He will not succeed in getting a rise out of me."
When they reached the clinic and Kian showed her the new procedure required to enter, she thought it was too much, but she chose not to say so. Kian seemed agitated enough already.
It dawned on her suddenly that she was tiptoeing around Kian's moods, the same way Areana was tiptoeing around Navuh's. She should not be doing this. Kian was a two-thousand-year-old immortal. He could handle a little criticism.
"This is excessive even by your standards," she said as the four of them squeezed into the small antechamber. "He is paralyzed. It is not like he can take anyone hostage."
"For now." Kian waited for the inner door to swing open. "But he is improving, and soon he will no longer be confined to bed. I underestimated an enemy once and almost paid for it with my life. I'm not going to do that again."
The reminder of what Igor had almost succeeded in doing sent a shiver down Annani's spine. The enhanced Kra-ell had caught Kian with his compulsion power, immobilizing him and the brothers, and nearly tore his throat out. If not for Jade tackling him to the ground and breaking his hold on their minds, he might have killed Kian.
"You are right, my son. Forgive me for belittling your security measures."
Kian looked so surprised that it was almost comical.
"Good morning," Bridget greeted them. "I sent Areana upstairs so you can go right in."
"How is he?" Kian asked.
"He continues to improve." Bridget pulled out a tablet from her coat pocket. "He has regained some feeling in his fingers andsome movement in his neck, enough to slightly turn his head from side to side. His neural pathways are regenerating faster than I projected."
Annani exchanged a glance with Kian.
"How much faster?" Kian asked.
"Significantly. At this rate, he could have limited mobility in his arms within a week or two. Maybe even sooner."
"He is Mortdh's son," Annani said. "And Mortdh was a powerful god. It stands to reason that his offspring would inherit some of that strength."
The sense of urgency that had been humming beneath Annani's skin intensified, and as she looked at Kian again, she could see understanding in his eyes.
"Maybe that is why I felt the need to come today," she said. "As long as Navuh feels helpless, he will be more willing to negotiate. When he gets stronger, he will become more difficult."
"He's difficult now," Kian said flatly. "Even paralyzed, his mind is intact, and his tongue is sharp. Never forget that."
"I do not intend to forget anything." Annani drew herself up to her full height, which was not impressive by most standards, but she had learned long ago that true authority had nothing to do with physical stature.
Still, she was glad that Navuh would be lying down rather than standing and towering over her.
"Thank you for the update, Bridget. We will see him now."
Kian lifted his hand. "Are you wearing your compulsion-filtering earpieces?"
Annani stifled a smile. She had wondered how long he would be able to refrain from asking.
"Of course." She pushed her hair back to expose one ear. "Although I am quite certain that he cannot compel me. He could not compel Areana, and she is a weak goddess."
