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Kara went to the bed and stroked Vahn’s brow. He’d been moved to the smaller bedroom he’d occupied when his father was alive – though it was still bigger than her entire apartment on Earth.

She listened to his breathing for a few moments. It was shallow but steady.

Please wake up, my kalehshun.I need you.

She turned to the other two who were still arguing.

“We keep the ruse going for now,” she said decisively. “I don’t want anything to derail the peace deal. Vahn wouldn’t want that either.”

“But he’s clearly in no state to continue negotiations,” said Ela gently.

“There's barely anything left to do. Rhyn can take his place until he wakes up. Which will be soon.”

“But if he doesn’t…”

“He will,” said Kara firmly. “Very soon. We just have to hold the fort till then. We’re not going to let Baelon win.”

“But Kara,” Rhyn began. She turned on him.

“Zhaalini,” she said sharply. “I’m Zhaalini Kara Castellian and I am ordering you to keep what happened here a secret until he wakes. Is that clear, both of you?”

Numbly, they both bowed their heads and left the room.

Kara felt like shit. They both loved Vahn nearly as much as she did, and had certainly known him for much longer. They were just as worried as she was.

But she knew, in her heart, that Vahn wouldn’t want anyone to know he’d been attacked and incapacitated. That was the warrior in him.

Still, she ought to apologize. She would need Rhyn and Ela’s support to get through this. She went to the door to call them back in and stopped.

Rhyn had his arms round Ela and the two were embracing.

It was such an unexpected sight that Kara ducked back to avoid being seen. She lingered by the door, watching, wondering if this was just two friends comforting each other or something more.

Despite her stress and anxiety, she really hoped the latter. This crappy day could really use some lightness.

She heard a sound behind her and turned. Vahn was moving.

“Oh, thank God,” she breathed. She rushed to his bedside and took his hand. He turned his head towards her, his yellow eyes blinking open.

“Vahn, you’re awake. I’ve been so worried.” He focused on her voice, and then her face. He looked confused. She stroked his brow. “It’s okay, my love. You’re safe. Do you need anything? Water or…” she faltered as his expression hardened.

With a violent shove, he pushed her away and struggled to sit up.

“How dare you touch me, you filthy vermin.”

“Vahn, what do you…”

With a snarl he flicked out a serpetrus and threw her backwards. She shrieked as she was propelled through the air, her yelp cut short when she slammed into the wall.

Rhyn and Ela came rushing in.

“You’re awake,” said Rhyn unnecessarily. Vahn looked at his friends.

“What thedrekis going on?”

“You’ve been unconscious,” said Ela soothingly. “But everything’s okay now.”

“No. I meanthat.” Vahn gestured contemptuously towards Kara. “What is adrek’aaTerran doing on Vraxos? And what in the name of Ayanlesh is it doing in my bedroom?”