However, Talvax was correct; this situation needed to be handled carefully. Wyn didn’t deserve to be whispered about or shamed for choosing me if I was indeed his choice. Normally, someone of my family and rank would never be whispered about, but that was all people did about me: whisper, wonder, ask why the purest spiritual soul was in space instead of with the Ranks. I needed to protect Wyn from that as much as I could.
“I believe I must turn over all matters regarding Wyn to another, so I make no decisions about him. If he is brought up on misconduct issues, then it should be handled by you and whatever officer you assign to be Wyn’s superior, same with anything in regards to his assignments.”
“That’s reasonable,” Talvax said. “And I concur. I will assign Qinlin to oversee him.”
She wouldn’t have been the person I chose, but then again, perhaps that was for the best. As the senior seeker on board, it made sense she’d be charged with overseeing Wyn’s duties or any issues that arose regarding him.
I offered Talvax my throat, and she smiled.
Standing, she placed a hand on my shoulder. “I am very pleased for you, Monqilcolnen.”
“Thank you.”
“But have a care. He’s younger than you by a considerable amount.”
“I am aware.”
“He’s also not of your station.”
“Neither am I of his. He’s following the calling associated with his soul, while I rebuked mine.”
She frowned.
“Neither is the empress,” I added quickly to hide anything she might read in my previous words. Talvax grinned. She and Aunt Vyn were old friends from childhood. They’d grown up on the same dilapidated moon.
“Indeed,” she replied, “and yet, you don’t know of her struggles because she has hidden them from you, her sons, and even Kontolmakqilnen. Vyn doesn’t regret her choice, but it wasn’t an easy one, either. Do not take Wyn’s acceptance of you, should he grant it, as something cheap. He will spend his life justifying to everyone around him why he deserves you, while you will merely be seen as a generous and loving soul.”
I wasn’t sure if that was strictly true, however, I said, “I would never take anything Wyn gives me as cheap. He is the best thing to ever happen to me.”
She didn’t reply, but rather gave me a pointed look before returning to her seat. “Let’s get on with discussing today’s issues. I would like to spend time with Urgg tonight, and I imagine you wish to see Wyn.”
I grabbed my screen as fast as possible because she was undoubtedly right.
The day couldn’t pass fast enough, but duties kept getting in the way. It was one thing after another. I kept trying to push things off, but supervisors were reaching out to me about tardy notices or disciplinary actions. The head of security had to update me, in person, about an incident with a vvekian and a barbarus—some cultural differences that had resulted in the vvekian’s veil being quite accidentally pulled off and leading to them being injured from the light.
Just as I finished resolving the last complaint, which had to be addressed today, I stood, glancing at Cincin to confirm she was still asleep on her tree in my office. I was about to go to my quarters when NAID said, “Captain Dontilvynsan would like to speak with you.”
I groaned. Normally, I was more than happy to speak to my cousin, but at the moment, I wanted to get ready to see Wyn. However, I sat back down and accepted Dontilvynsan’s link on my screen. When his face appeared, I greeted him. “Captain.”
“Monqilcolnen,” he said, his deep voice even. Dontilvynsan had been called “Captain” for far longer than he’d been in the Planetary Navy, let alone a captain. Hallonnixmin had given him the endearment for how he liked to boss us around as well as to protect everyone.
“What do you need?” I asked, trying to speed this along.
Dontilvynsan cocked an eyebrow, and I refused to quake under his silent rebuke. My cousin was the largest of all of us, in height and bulk, with deep black scales, rich purple hair, and bright green eyes that matched all of his brothers except Kalvoxrencol. For all his intimidating size, as well ashis perceptive inner fire of reading minds, he was rather soft and kind. Between him and his mate, I would rather face Dontilvynsan over Vince, even though the human was puny.
“Are you in a rush?” he inquired, crossing his arms.
“Why would you think that?”
He didn’t bother to respond and continued to stare at me.
The silence ticked in my brain, winding me tighter and tighter the longer it went. “Captain, what do you want?”
“You could answer my question. You seem in a great hurry. Have I interrupted something?”
“Yes,” I forced out, trying and failing to keep my expression calm.
“I pinged to speak with you. I didn’t mean to bother you.”
