In Command by Aileen Erin

Author:Aileen Erin [Erin, Aileen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ink Monster, LLC
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

LORNE

The busy Ra’mi market faded from my awareness, and I was grateful that I was sitting across the table from Amihanna, watching her relax. More and more vendors brought their offerings to us, and it was rude to turn them down. Which meant we’d both eaten too much food. Still, it was nice to make Amihanna try new things.

A few chefs brought things to us I knew she wouldn’t like—Aunare delicacies that I didn’t even like—and I let her try them just to keep her on her toes. Although nothing as bad as nic’natarani. It was a game we used to play. One that clearly Rysden remembered, with good reason. We’d embarrassed him more than a few times at important dinners, but to be fair, important usually meant boring. If no one entertained us, Amihanna and I often found ways to entertain ourselves, which tended to end with us in trouble.

But playing the game today meant I had to try to eat some of the ones I didn’t care for when normally I’d just move the food around in the basket a little to make it look like I’d eaten enough not to insult the chef. Teasing her was too much fun, especially today when she was trying to pretend that she liked everything she tried. But it was so plain to see what she didn’t enjoy.

Somewhere along the way, Amihanna’s shoulders had lost their stiffness, she smiled more, and leaned toward me as she spoke. Having a normal night together filled my heart with the peace and contentment that I had been missing for thirteen years. And even though we were playing the same game as we used to and having fun, it wasn’t even the same as when we were younger.

Tonight was infinitely better.

Even as I was feeling that peace of being with her, I knew it was temporary. It was like paper-thin crystal. One hard breath and it would shatter.

The people needed to accept Amihanna. I knew she wanted to try to make that happen, but I wasn’t sure it was possible. I needed her to be ready to argue with the allies, but she wasn’t. She was still getting used to everything here, and I knew she needed time. For everything.

I knew Fynea, Lorne’s good friend and head assistant, and Roan were busy trying to arrange the interview with Himani, but it was taking too long. That’s why we were here. I always wanted time with her, but I also wanted to get her out there in front of the people. I wanted them to love Amihanna as much as I did, and even as I thought that, an image on the vid screen across the way caught my eye.

They’d moved on from the report about SpaceTech to Amihanna. Her face on the screen was what caught my attention. I was too far from the screen to hear what they were saying, but I could read the flowing gold script.

Goddess take it. I freed the media.

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