Naveed nodded in reply.You as well.
I began to feel nervous, but held myself still and composed, trying to hide it.Did he somehow sense my Gift? Is this a test?
“Each member of my crew has a job,” Kadin said, pulling my thoughts away from the strangely quiet man. “Illium is in charge of potions and poisons. Naveed is my eyes and ears.” Again, a grunt from one and a nod from the other.
Naveed’s hands moved lightning fast, almost like a dance, and I heard his thoughts as he spoke to Kadin.Tell her what happened.
“Naveed is unable to speak,” Kadin added. “He lost his tongue many years ago when one of the princes decided they didn’t like something he said.”
I swallowed, suddenly very aware of my own tongue. Kadin said the words casually, but a muscle tightened in his jaw and there was fire in his eyes.
His thoughts were only a soft hum since he wasn’t thinking of me.
Had he been involved somehow?
He sat on the sofa, gesturing for me to join them.
I chose the empty side across from Illium, and a few feet from Kadin, perching on the edge. I eyed the food, but tried to focus on Kadin’s words.
“You’d think Illium over there is mute as well.” Kadin joked, which eased the tension in Naveed’s shoulders as he settled onto the sofa by Illium. “But his silence is by choice.”
The older man’s hands never stopped moving, but he flung one up in a crude gesture before returning to his work, and Kadin laughed.
I picked at the dirt under my nails, feeling completely out of my element, but forced myself to stop. Turning to Naveed, I cleared my throat. “I’m sorry that happened to you.” I knew it hadn’t happened in our kingdom or I’d have heard of it, yet I still felt responsible. Rulers should be just and fair.
He smiled.She’s kind.
I watched his hands as Naveed signed and Kadin translated. “He says don’t worry about it.”
I pressed my lips together and nodded, but knew I wouldn’t forget his story anytime soon.
“Arie’s here for a meal,” Kadin told them both, running a hand through his thick, dark hair. “I’ll explain more when the others get here.”
Naveed waved toward the food on the table, offering me a bowl.
“Yes, please. Thank you,” I said in a rush, leaning forward.
He filled the bowl with rice and vegetables. It was simpler than what we ate back home, yet tasted better than any meal I’d ever had.
I’d only taken a few bites when the door burst open, startling me. Three men entered mid-conversation, shutting the door and stepping into the room before they noticed me and fell silent.
“This is Arie,” Kadin began all over again, and introduced them to me one by one. “This is Ryo, Daichi, and Bosh.” Each of them waved.
Nice.
How’d she get here?
She’s pretty!
The onslaught of thoughts made my head ache, but I tried not to wince as I greeted them.
Ryo gave me a wide smile that he assumed worked on all the ladies as he sat down first. “Make room, make room,” he said, grinning at me. I scooted over to the bench where Kadin sat as they crowded in, but I didn’t have far to go. I felt oddly aware of Kadin’s presence, even though we weren’t touching.
Daichi moved slowly, more cautious, and if his thoughts were any indication, a bit shy. He and Ryo were both handsome, with black hair and almost equally dark eyes, the only difference was while Ryo was clean shaven with closely shorn hair, Daichi’s most defining features were his beard and topknot. Both had tattoos that swirled out from underneath their shirts, which spoke of them hailing from Bafrin in the East.
“You’re taking all the food,” Daichi grumbled as Ryo scooped more and more until he’d made a tiny mountain in his bowl.
“Oh, shut it, I worked harder than you.” Ryo took his time scooping yet another helping, which only made Daichi grumble more.
