Page 497

He walks toward his desk. Opens a drawer. Takes something. Flight maps. Of course.

I look at his side of the room. "Did you pack medical?"

"Yes."

"Accessible?"

"Yes."

"Food?"

"Yes."

"Enough?"

Rhyven looks at me. "Eirea."

"What."

"Yes." Good. He puts the maps under his arm.

For one second, nobody speaks. Maybe this is it.

Maybe— "Chief!" Someone in the corridor. I almost laugh. Rhyven's jaw tightens. A second-year Rider appears.

"Sorry. Kaelis wants final dragon rotation approval."

"Of course he does." Rhyven looks toward Caelen.

"Fourteen hundred briefing moved to thirteen thirty."

Caelen nods. "Got it."

Then Rhyven looks at me. Again. Something. I don't know. "Eat."

I stare. "I ate."

"When."

"Breakfast."

"It's twelve forty."

"That's still eating."

"No."

"Go away." His mouth twitches. Then he does.

I look at Caelen. He looks at me."Don't."

He raises both hands. "I said nothing."

"Your face did."

"Genetics." I finish packing.

Lunch happens at thirteen. I eat. Specifically because I'm spiteful. Rhyven isn't there to see it. Annoying.