"And a significant construction budget from Kian," Amanda added.
"And that," Soraya agreed with a smile. "Please tell him we are grateful."
"Tell him yourself at the cocktail party on Saturday. He loves being thanked. It happens so rarely."
Syssi nodded. That was so true. Kian spent most of his time managing crises and worrying about threats both real and imagined. And yet, he rarely received expressions of gratitude from the people he served.
11
ANNANI
The elevator opened onto the clinic level, and the wide corridor stretched ahead like a tunnel. The floors were simple polished concrete, the walls were a soft shade of white, and the air smelled artificially fresh.
Inside the clinic, Bridget was waiting despite the late hour.
"Good evening," she greeted them with an easy smile. "It is not every night that I get visited by two gods."
"Thank you for staying, Bridget," Annani said. "I know it is late."
"It's my pleasure, Clan Mother." Bridget's gaze moved over the group, lingering on Mia for a moment. "I sent Areana upstairs an hour ago. Thankfully, she didn't argue."
Toven bent to press a kiss to Mia's forehead. "Good luck. Just don't get too close to him."
"I'll be fine. He's stuck in a hospital bed."
"He's dangerous even when paralyzed."
Mia reached up, patted his cheek, and smiled with the gentle condescension of a loving mate. She must have learned a long time ago that arguing with Toven when he was in his protector mode was a waste of energy. "Wait here. Read a magazine."
He cast a glance at the magazines stacked on one of the side tables.
"They look to be at least six years old."
"That's good. The world was nicer back then, or at least it appeared to be. It was probably just as rotten as it is now."
"It was always rotten, my love." Toven smiled, but the smile did not reach his eyes. "That's why I retreated from it until I met you." He sat on one of the waiting room chairs and reluctantly reached for one of the magazines.
"Navuh has been in good spirits today," Bridget said. "I think he's starting to enjoy having nothing to do and watching television all day or chatting with his mate."
"When Navuh is in a good mood, I'm worried," Kian muttered under his breath. "What makes Navuh happy has the opposite effect on everyone else."
"A good mood makes him more talkative," Bridget said. "A brooding Navuh is a closed-off Navuh." Bridget turned to Mia. "As we discussed, I'm going to introduce you as Azul, the physical rehabilitation specialist. You work during the day at a hospital, so you're only available for evening sessions. I'll tell him we wanted you two to meet so you can get to know each other before therapy begins. Sound good?"
Mia nodded. "Don't worry. If he asks me questions, I can answer them with more authority than an actual therapist."
"I have no doubt." Bridget turned back to the door, pulled out her phone, and aimed it at the lock.
Annani straightened her spine, lifted her chin, and became the Clan Mother. The transformation happened in the space between one breath and the next, the worried mate receding behind the mask of authority that she had worn for thousands of years.
As the door swung open, Anandur went in first and positioned himself against the far wall. Brundar followed, taking the opposite wall. They bracketed the room like bookends made of muscle and barely concealed weaponry.
Only then did Kian step through, followed by Annani and Mia, with Bridget bringing up the rear.
As usual, Navuh was propped up against a mound of pillows that made him look less like a prisoner and more like a convalescing king holding court.
He looked better than the last time Annani had visited.
There was color in his face, and his naturally slim frame seemed a little bulkier, filling more of the bed than it had before. The paralysis still held his lower body, but his arms moved freely.
