Caoimhe’s necklace was left with the crowning jewel only, in the framework, right in the center. And, if one had not seen the other pieces inside it, they would have never noticed that the frame was missing anything. It looked to be just a unique ornate piece.
“And special,” Caoimhe said. “They all have been coded specifically for you to wear. Guard them with your life,” she said.
“Why?” Veta asked.
“Hopefully, for no reason than to honor my mother.”
Veta raised her eyebrow. “And what would the other reason be?”
“I cannot say, not yet.”
Veta nodded. Though she didn’t like it. There it was. The intuition was right. There was something afoot with the jewelry.
Caoimhe gestured to the door where Diado was waiting. “He can come back in now.”
Her gaze met Veta’s.
Interesting.
The princess doesn’t trust him either.
The dresser burst in, clapping his hands and generally being far too stressed. They were literally getting dressed to proceed to the bridge. Watch the approach, and then go to the main landing.
Why they had to leave the room yet, Veta wasn’t sure.
Parade them around for a while?
“Suit up, everyone,” Diado said, coming in and clapping his hands.
“Is this necessary?” Veta asked. “Surely we can wait here until landing.” She put her hand on the wall.
The heavy walls kept anything that happened in the royal suite private and secure. A sturdy section of the ship, it was designed to be an emergency life port if needed. The doors were not standard rattly doors, but heavy blast doors.
Inside was enough accoutrements to keep several people safe and with air for a few days if ever necessary.
Paranoia of the Emperor, at it’s finest.
But right now, Veta liked the space—they were in enemy territory, after all.
“Procedure,” Diado said. “We’re reaching the rendezvous.”
“Hmm,” she said. Then glanced at the Imperial Princess. “You’re almost on.”
She nodded.
And there it was.
A tiny crack in her armor.
A blink of insecurity. Just for a second.
Nerves.
Whatever.
But it was enough. And Veta was pleased to see it—that Caoimhe wasn’t the complete, emotionless automaton she pretended to be.
Veta was not a fan of emotionless automatons. Probably why she wasn’t a big fan of the cybernetic Rhimodians.
