Alsea Rising by Fletcher DeLancey

Author:Fletcher DeLancey [DeLancey, Fletcher]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Heartsome Publishing

21

Flight date

Tal came out of the dressing room in time to see Salomen turn away from the small vidcom built into the desk. “Don’t tell me there’s another emergency,” she said, tucking in her shirt. “Anything short of a Voloth invasion, they can take care of it themselves.” She had been looking forward to this day off, especially after Salomen’s unexpected arrival the previous night.

“It’s not, don’t worry.” Salomen ogled her from top to bottom. “You’re so rarely in casual clothing that I’ve developed an appreciation for this look. Hmm . . .”

“Oh, no.” Tal held up her hands. “I’m still sore from last night. I didn’t even get to return the favor.”

“And you slept very well, didn’t you?”

“Like a mountzar in winter. Why do I sense a plot?”

“You’re naturally suspicious?”

She crossed her arms with a frown.

“If that’s meant to intimidate me, it’s not working.” Salomen’s gaze was glued to her chest. “In truth, it’s improving the view.”

No frown could withstand that. Tal tightened her arms, shamelessly improving the view further. “Stop avoiding the question.”

“What question?” she said absently.

Tal waited. It was a good three pipticks before Salomen finally processed her words and looked up.

“Ah. You needed a decent night’s sleep for once. I’ve been working the fields from dawn to dusk and I’m less tired than you are. If being knocked out was what you required, I was more than happy to oblige.” Wiggling her eyebrows, she added, “It was no hardship.”

Maintaining a severe look was impossible while laughing. “You’ve become devious since settling into your title.”

“Are you objecting?”

“No, but do I at least get to return the favor today?”

“Perhaps tonight. You have other plans at the moment.”

“Do I? They’re strangely absent from my calendar. What have you cooked up, tyrina?”

Any answer was forestalled by the strong emotional presence coming down their private corridor—a presence that did not surprise Salomen, despite the fact that Ekatya’s leave didn’t start until tomorrow.

Salomen tilted her head toward the door. “Are you going to let her in?”

“It’s not a plot. It’s a conspiracy.” Tal strode across the room and yanked open the door.

Ekatya’s fist hovered in the air; she had not had the chance to knock. “I hate it when you do that.”

“I know. Welcome back.” Tal pulled her across the threshold and into a warmron, basking in the familiar scents of her skin, Gaian shampoo, and State House laundry soap. The Alsean clothing meant she and Lhyn had already gone through their coming home ritual. It must have been while Tal was sleeping and couldn’t sense it.

Ekatya held on with a happy glow. “Did you miss me that much?”

“She did.” Salomen stepped in for her own warmron. “It’s good to see you this time.”

“Maybe someday it’ll be strong enough for both of you to see me.”

“I look forward to that.” Tal brushed away the sting of envy. After the astonishing connection of four nights ago, they had tried to repeat it while including her. Once again, Salomen could hear Ekatya, but her own mind had been frustratingly silent.

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