Page 47 of Warrior’s Mate

His eyes returned to her.

"Yes."

"If you leave your security team to drag me to a shuttle and people are captured because those officers weren't where they were needed, I'll hurt too. So will you."

He said nothing. Maelis stepped closer, keeping her voice private.

"You told me recognition gives you knowledge, not rights. I believed you. I still believe you. But that principle only matters when you're afraid."

For a long moment, the only sound between them was the medical scanner cycling behind her. Then Kaiven nodded, not reluctantly or in surrender, but in acceptance.

"You're right."

Maelis blinked.

"That was disturbingly easy."

"It was not easy."

"You hid it well."

His mouth almost curved. "I am still going to ask you to move."

"Ask."

"Will you move your command point to the western relay with the next civilian wave? Not because I order it. Because this cellar will become indefensible within the hour, and the relay gives you access to three functioning agricultural nodes we currently cannot reach."

That was different. She checked the map. He was right.

"Yes."

His shoulders loosened a fraction.

"And," she added, "I need your remaining security people to escort the east orchard families before they meet us there."

"Agreed."

"All of them except one."

"Two."

"One."

"Two, Maelis. This is negotiation, not capitulation."

She considered him.

"Fine. Two."

"I feel victorious."

"Don't."

A medic laughed aloud this time. The tension broke just enough for people to breathe again. Kaiven moved with her to the stairwell while the civilians prepared to leave. At the bottom step, out of sight of the others, he stopped.

"May I touch you?"

The question was so quiet she almost missed it. Maelis looked at him. His hands were at his sides. The same man who could order armed officers into fire was waiting for permission to lay a hand on her.