“Forever is a long time,” Amina quipped. “I’m sure he’d get tired of Myrum. Especially when he figures out Myrum isn’t into him.”
Gis frowned. “This isn’t a humorous matter. Lorse will do anything to keep Myrum here. We all need to be very careful. He might even believe Myrum was a gift from the multiverse.”
“I get it,” Amina said. “This is all going to get very sticky.”
“Sticky,” Gis said. “That’s a good term.”
Myrum sounded a questioning rumble. “Do you have any suggestions on how to steer Lorse to the topic of his father, Jishorn?”
“Talk of the war,” Gis said. “Ask about his opinion. The more you can get him to talk on the subject, the more likely you’ll have an opportunity.”
Myrum sounded a rumble of agreement, but Amina could tell he was tense. She rubbed a circle on his chest.
“I’ll be there too,” she said. “If I think of something, I’ll start coughing to give you an excuse to lean over me and pat my back. That way we can whisper to each other.”
His tension eased. “Thank you,” he murmured.
A muted sound came from Gis’s pants. With a grimace he pulled an information square out of a pocket.
“I’m being warned to bring you soon or explain my failure,” he said. “I’d hoped we’d have a little more time.”
Myrum stood up, cradling Amina in his arms. He took his time setting her on her feet.
“You’re going to do great,” she assured him. “Remember, saying you’re unsure or you have to think about something are both viable options.”
“Yes, I’ll remember that.” He leaned over and rubbed his check over her head, filling the air with the smell of honey. She felt his oil saturate her hair and scalp. He pulled in a deep breath with a purr.
“There, now I’m ready,” he said and straightened up.
Gis confidently led them through the outpost. The rugs muffled their footsteps so thoroughly that she heard the clicking of Lorse’s medals even before they entered the dining area.
At the center of the room was the same U-shaped table from earlier, but now it was covered in tiered serving trays andsteaming bowls. The lamps she’d been so shocked about were lit, casting warm light around the table.
Lorse was already sitting at one of only two seats at the top of the U that were set slightly higher than the rest of the table. She could see how everyone else would sit further down the U ends, making them all look like they were subservient to Lorse. The thing that surprised her was that Myrum’s spot was right next to Lorse, giving him equal status.
Standing together against the back wall were two new guards. How many guards did Lorse have? She made a mental note to ask Gis later.
“I’m sorry for my tardiness,” Myrum said, stopping once we were all inside the room. “I was enjoying your bathing area and lost track of time. Gis tried to remind me, but I ignored him.”
“As you should,” Lorse said. “Your comfort is more important than being on time. If it’s truly important, I’ll fetch you myself. Come, sit here.” He gestured to the only other chair at the head of the table, as if Myrum wouldn’t have figured that out.
Gis was quick to stand against a far wall, joining several other Ossiso attendants there. Hands tucked inside her sleeves, Amina followed Myrum around the table. She expected to stand against the wall behind Myrum only to see a small table with a single chair. There was a canister of water and a bowl of something that looked like soup.
“I’ve provided your pet with a place to sit,” Lorse said. “I told the chef to make sure the food won’t make it ill.”
“That was gracious of you,” Myrum said. His voice and movements were stiff, but when Amina hurried to take her seat, he seemed to loosen up a little, probably because she was fighting a laugh.
She was at the kids’ table! It wasn’t so small that she would need to hunch over to eat, but her legs barely fit under it. She’dhave to remember to explain the concept of the kids table to Myrum later.
“I had my chef do her best to recreate some Talin dishes. There’s a shipment coming in, full of better ingredients. In only a few cycles I’ll be able to give you the best Talin food. You’ll have to give my chef detailed notes if you like or don’t like the taste of anything here.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Myrum said. “It all smells good.”
Lorse gestured to one of the attendants, and she rushed forward to serve the food. She could only see the back of Myrum and Lorse and the top of the attendants’ head when she wasn’t leaning over.
She waited until the men started eating before she dished up some of her soup. The soup smelled…odd. It was hard to describe, but it looked like it had been made from leftovers. There weren't any spoons, so she was probably supposed to sip out of the bowl.
She took a cautious sip then put the soup back down and scrambled for the water. The soup was so sour it made her eyes water.
