I should have felt relieved.
Instead, I felt exposed.
Ahrick's hand found mine as we walked through the corridor, his fingers threading through mine with the kind of casual intimacy that still made my breath catch. The bond hummed between us—a constant presence now, warm and steady in my chest.
"You're nervous," Ahrick said quietly, his thumb stroking across my knuckles.
I glanced up at him. "Is it that obvious?"
"Only to me." His amber eyes held mine with that steady certainty that had become so familiar. "You have nothing to be nervous about."
"Easy for you to say. I'm about to have a formal meeting with Duke Ako. You realize the last time I was called into a meeting like this, I ended up on a prison planet?"
His amusement was warm, genuine. "You faced down Declan Hewes. You rode into battle leading the Welati. You survived Fange City." He squeezed my hand. "Duke Ako should be nervous about meeting you again."
I couldn't help but smile at that.
The diplomatic aide who'd been assigned to escort us—a tall Aljani female with impeccable posture and a datapad that seemed permanently attached to her hand—stopped in front of a set of double doors.
"The Duke is ready for you," she said. "The holo-conference room is equipped with full sensory projection. You'll be able to see and hear Duke Ako as if he were in the room with you."
"Thank you," I said.
She nodded and opened the doors.
The room beyond was smaller than I'd expected. Intimate, almost. A circular table dominated the center, surrounded by comfortable chairs. The walls were lined with what looked like screens, currently dark.
And standing at the far end of the table, projected with such clarity that he looked solid and real, was Duke Ako.
He smiled when he saw us. Genuine warmth in the expression, which surprised me.
"Ahrick. Merrilee. Thank you for coming."
Ahrick inclined his head in a gesture of respect. "Duke Ako. It's good to see you again."
"And you." Ako's gaze shifted to me and there was a hint of apology in his deep blue eyes. "Merrilee. I'm glad to see you well. The reports from Palaydium were... concerning."
"I'm fine," I said. Then, because that felt inadequate: "Thanks to Ahrick. And the Welati. And a lot of luck."
"Luck had less to do with it, I suspect." Ako gestured to the chairs. "Please, sit. We have much to discuss."
We settled into the chairs across from his projection. Ahrick's hand found mine again under the table, his presence a steady anchor.
Ako remained standing, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Before we begin, I must convey the Prime's apologies for not meeting with you today. She wanted very much to be here." His expression grew somber. "She was called away urgently to planet Vaktaire. Her mate has fallen ill."
I felt Ahrick's hand tighten around mine—an instinctive response. The thought of one of us being seriously ill, the other having to face that fear...
"I hope he recovers," I said quietly.
"As do we all," Ako said. "But she wanted me to express her gratitude to you both. For your courage, your resilience, and for ending Hewes's machinations once and for all. What you accomplished—what you endured—has saved countless lives."
He paused, and something shifted in his expression. Respect, maybe.
"She also wanted you to know that she understands the bond you share now. And that she wishes you both every happiness."
"Please express our gratitude for her wishes," Ahrick said and I heard the surprise in his voice.
