Page 29

Ela and Rhyn watched the transport ship take off and start to lumber its way back to Earth.

“That’s the President safely away,”

the general commented. “It’s a relief not to have to worry about the human delegates any more.”

They’d arrived back at the Imperial Palace that morning, the heartfelt apologies of Bextrin Salavar still ringing in their ears. As far as everyone was concerned, the falling chandelier had been a terrible accident, nothing more.

Rhyn regretted the newly appointed Governor would forever have it on his conscience – and on the first Garana Sana he’d hosted too – but it couldn’t be helped.

“Was the President suspicious that her daughter didn’t come to wave her off?”

“Kara saw her last night and said she was taking a few days with Vahn. I think her mother approved. She may be an ice-cold politician but at heart she’s a romantic.”

Rhyn gave her a sideways look.

“And are you, general? A romantic at heart?”

Ela snorted.

“Have you met me?”

“Fair point. Come on. I have something to show you.”

“Forget it, I have work to do. I don’t have time to gallivant with you.”

“Gallivant?”

“A word Kara taught me which in your case is surprisingly apt. I must ascertain Yighaz’s whereabouts and I also need to keep a close eye on Baelon.”

“Yighaz will be found soon enough. And as for Baelon, I’m taking care of him as we speak. He’s been introducing his niece to anyone vaguely marriageable so I’ve ensured that a steady stream of suitors is constantly knocking at his door.”

“Ah. You’ve enlisted your lothario friends?”

“I pulled in favors. Now, are you coming with me or do I have to drag you?”

“I would like to see you try.”

“Please Ela. It won’t take long.”

Ela rolled her eyes but followed him anyway. There was something she needed to say to him and this was as good a time as any. She cleared her throat.

“I should have mentioned this before,”

she said stiffly. “What you did at the banquet was extremely impressive.”

He laughed.

“Ouch. That sounded as if it hurt.”

“I am being serious. If it wasn’t for you, there may have been more casualties and the Terran President would almost certainly be dead. I don’t want you to think your actions weren’t appreciated.”

“I appreciate your appreciation.”

She couldn’t hide her exasperation.

“Why is everything a joke to you? I’m trying to be nice.”

“I know. It’s disconcerting. Come on, this way.”

They made their way through the palace. She slowed when she saw where they were headed.

“Are we going to your quarters?”

“Why? Does that scare you?”

“I’m not scared of anything, you zift-headed dankar.”

“Good. Then you won’t mind stepping inside.”

“Why in the name of Ayanlesh would I go inside with you?”

He stopped outside his door.

“Because we both know if I tried anything you’d have me on the ground in ten seconds flat. And not in a good way. So let me reassure you – I’m not planning to do anything nefarious to you. Not unless you want me to, that is.”

His eyes glinted and she was annoyed to feel her pulse kick up a notch.

“Fine,”

she said irritably. “Let’s get this over with.”

He opened the door and stood back to let her in.

A small table had been set up in the center of the chamber with two chairs on either side. On the table-top was an exquisitely elegant bakra board, its squares gleaming ruby red and lapis blue in alternate diagonals. Beautifully carved playing pieces stood in two rows facing each other.

Ela raised a brow.

“What’s this?”

“This is how I’m going to win your heart,”

Rhyn said matter-of-factly.

“By playing bakra?”

“By beating you soundly. By winning with such a large margin you’ll be blushing about it for days. And trust me, Ela.”

He smiled roguishly. “I am very much looking forward to making you blush.”

Ela couldn’t seem to look away. His proximity was distracting.

“You’re out of your mind. Why don’t you call up one of your lady friends and play bakra with them?”

“Because it’s a complicated game. There’s no pleasure in playing with a poor opponent. And in any case, I have no interest in beating anyone else. Just you.”

“Why do you want to beat me so badly? Is this one of your weird fetishes? Because if it is…”

“I’m going to beat you because you respect strength, General Solarun. But strength comes in many forms. There’s no point me challenging you to combat because I’m not in your league. More importantly, I’m not in Vahn’s.”

“What’s Vahn got to do with this?”

“He beat you at ouarra didn’t he? And that’s when your infatuation with him began.”

“No, that’s not… that’s preposterous.”

She was visibly flustered and Rhyn grinned.

“It’s okay, general. I don’t hold it against you. But I know I can’t best you in a fight. So instead I’m going to defeat you with my most impressive organ.”

“Your… organ?”

“My brain.”

“You’re insane,”

she said firmly, ignoring the flutters in her stomach. “You think one game of bakra and I’ll fall into your arms?”

“It’s a game based on military strategy. I asked around and it seems you, general, are a master at it.”

He shrugged. “But I’m better.”

“You?”

She laughed. “I’ve played the game for years. I invented maneuvers that are still used today. You don’t stand a chance, Lord Davorrian.”

“Let’s put it to the test. A wager. One game. You win, I’ll carry out a forfeit. Whatever humiliating thing you can think of.”

“I can think of plenty,”

she warned. “All of them public and all deeply embarrassing.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

“And if you win?”

His mouth curved into a slow, lazy smile that lit a fire deep in her belly.

“Then you owe me a date.”