Page 49

Nell didn’t realize what she was asking of him and had no clue how his exposure to her made him desire her so much.

He was glad of the distraction when his dessert arrived. Rane scooped up a large spoonful and slid it into his mouth. He groaned in pleasure as the intense dark sweetness hit the back of his throat. This was almost as good as sex. It wouldn’t replace Nell but gave him the distraction he desperately needed.

He was halfway through his dessert when the dining hall door opened. Kwon walked through, his shoulders bunched and his expression anxious.

Rane watched as his friend ordered from the counter and then turned to look for a seat.

He gestured him over, surprised to see Kwon up so late. He was so compliant when it came to getting an early night and making sure he did enough meditation not to lose focus when on a mission.

Kwon slid into the seat opposite Rane and rested his face in his hands.

“Tough night?”

“The worst.” Kwon lowered his hands. His gaze went to Rane’s almost empty dish. “Looks like the same for you.”

“In case you hadn’t heard, I got suspended.” Rane licked the back of his spoon.

“Everyone heard,” Kwon said. “We’ve been trying to pick up the slack.”

“That’s not my fault,” Rane said. “I didn’t want to be suspended.”

“I bet you’re not exactly hating it, not being around that stubborn assed diplomat.”

“Can’t say I am.” Rane did not miss the superior attitude of Councillor Agrave or the fact he no longer had any urges to punch him when he got too smug.

The server brought Kwon an equally large dessert. He tucked in greedily, groaning and smiling as he stuffed himself full of the sweet treat.

“Feeling better?” Rane asked, an amused glint in his eyes.

“This stuff should be illegal it’s so addictive. It’s just what I need after a day struggling not to have our diplomats declare war on this place.”

Rane lowered his spoon. “The negotiations aren’t going well?”

“They’ve gone to shit since you left. We’re struggling to keep it together.”

“I had no idea.”

“Why would you? You haven’t bothered to check in with us for weeks.”

“I’ve... well, I’ve been busy. I had a personal mission to oversee.”

Kwon eyed him cautiously. “Family problems?”

“It’s nothing to do with my family. I’m helping someone in trouble. She’s got a few issues she’s working through and asked if I could assist.”

“She? You’ve got a potential mate lined up?”

“No, well, I’m interested, but she’s not.”

“It sounds like you have more problems than I do. Who is she?”

“No one you know.” Rane didn’t know how to define his relationship with Nell. Messed up? Inappropriate might be a good word. Certainly not his mate. Not yet, anyway. “Tell me about the negotiations.”

“They’re stubborn morons. You’re right about these guys. Every time one comes up with a suggestion for a change, the others refute it. They’re finding problems at every turn. It’s like they don’t want the negotiations to work. And Councillor Agrave is a Grade A asshole.”

Rane chuckled. “That he is.”

“It’s like he’s immune to all other Olickie. I spent a day working with him, trying to figure out what his issues were, and nothing stuck. I could get him to pay attention to me and listen to the other points of view for five minutes before he broke through my influence and started ranting.”