"Not yet," Toven said, but he sat.
Ogidu returned with a tray loaded with a teapot, four cups, and an arrangement of pastries that Annani had not requested but that the Odu had apparently decided were appropriate for the occasion. Another sign of that growing sentience was anticipating needs rather than simply fulfilling commands.
"Thank you, Ogidu." Annani waited as he poured tea for each of them, set the pot on the table, and then withdrew to the kitchen.
Kian took the chair across from the sofa and cast Toven a sympathetic look. "If it helps, you can come along and stay in the penthouse with Areana while my mother and Mia are with Navuh. That's not as good as being there with her, but at least you will be close."
Toven's expression eased. "I would like that. Thank you for the offer."
Annani set her teacup down. "That is a kind suggestion, Kian, but I do not wish for Areana to know about Mia's ability. I do not want her telling Navuh who she really is and what she can do. The less he suspects, the lower his shields will be. That is why I want Mia to wear a nurse's outfit and use a fake name in case Areana has already mentioned her to Navuh."
Toven's expression was skeptical. "Navuh is not going to fall for that. He knows that we are treating him as if he's radioactive and limiting exposure to him. Why would a nurse in training be allowed in his room, and especially while you are visiting him?"
That was a good point, and Annani considered several logical explanations before choosing the one that seemed most reasonable. "I could introduce Mia as a rehabilitation expert instead of a trainee. Navuh will start physical therapy soon, so getting to know his training nurse will seem logical to him."
Mia set her teacup down. "What fake name should I use?"
"Any name you want, dear. Do you have any in mind? It should be something you can respond to naturally without hesitation. If someone calls you by your assumed name and you fail to react, it will give your cover away."
Mia took a moment to think and then smiled. "Azul." She turned to look at Toven. "I'd respond to that automatically."
"Azul?" Annani tilted her head. "I sense there is a story behind this name."
"There is. That was the avatar name I chose when I first met Toven in the Perfect Match virtual fantasy. His assumed name was Orlando, which was Orion's given name before he changed it. Toven chose a name he knew he would remember."
"Have you ever gone back?" Kian asked.
"Many times," Toven said. "We continue the adventures in the same fantasy world, and I write them after we are done. The books are selling very well."
Toven could not care less about the income from his books because he was rich beyond anyone's imagination, but it was proof of his storytelling talent, and he enjoyed the ego boost it provided.
"I should read them someday," Annani said.
"Don't!" Mia slapped her hand over her mouth. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you, Clan Mother. It's just that Toven includes things about us in his books that are, well…intimate. I don't mind as long as no one I know reads them, but I would be mortified if you did."
"I see." Annani stifled a laugh. "I will wait until Toven releases a modified version."
"Thank you, Clan Mother." Mia let out a breath. "That's why I never tell anyone about these books." She glared at Toven. "You never talk about your novels. What possessed you to do so now?"
He shrugged. "The subject came up."
Mia shook her head. "Over seven thousand years old and still acts like a juvenile. Men really never grow up."
Kian leaned forward, looking impatient. "We should talk about what you should do if Navuh tries to engage you. He's perceptive, and he has thousands of years of experience reading people. If he senses that you are nervous or hiding something, he'll probe."
"He will expect me to be nervous, and I can play into that. I will hide behind the Clan Mother and act terrified. A male like him loves to intimidate, and the satisfaction of scaring little Azul will make him lower his shields."
Annani had not expected such insight from a young woman like Mia. Then again, Mia had endured a lot in her short lifetime. A catastrophic heart failure had resulted in both her legs being amputated to save her life, and she spent a long time learning to walk with dual prosthetic legs, alternating between them and a wheelchair. The Fates had been merciful and arranged for her to meet a god in a virtual fantasy, and the rest was history. Mia transitioned into immortality and regrew her legs.
Toven reached for her hand, and his fingers curled around hers. "Are you sure it will only be an act?"
She chuckled. "Not really. I've never been around someone as evil as Navuh. Well, except for the villains in our virtual fantasies." She scrunched her nose. "I guess fighting those was a good preparation for today."
"The Fates work in mysterious ways," Annani said. "I am sure you never expected to use the skills you learned during your virtual romantic fantasy adventures with Toven in the real world."
"I did not," Mia admitted. "Have you tried Perfect Match, Clan Mother?"
Annani shook her head. "Entertainment is the last thing on my mind these days." She reached for her teacup and took a sip.
