Kell wasn’t in Neria’s mind, and she wasn’t brushing against his, but he didn’t need it to see the cold stillness that settled over her – and he knew that it wasn’t for the reason his King and Queen may have thought it was. It was all he could do to keep his expression blank, to not push against the fragile silence and break something by tipping the balance.

When she breathed again, he let the air in his lungs flow slowly out, masking the moment with his cup against his lips, his eyelashes lowering down and over his eyes.

… and they stayed there, through her promise, though cold stole through his nerves and muscles, into his bones. He didn’t look at her, didn’t look at the royals, fought himself to stillness and silence. He took a deep, long drink of tea.

Meanwhile, Emira’s dark eyes changed, the corner of her mouth tight, and there was something of Kell in her expression now, there and gone.

Maxim nodded, the gold of his crown glinting against his hair. “It is for the best if we move forward with that goal in mind. Your best resource will be Tieren. Kell will work with you both to resolve this.”

It had the tone of an order, and Kell put his teacup down with a short nod. “Yes, sir.”

Maxim sighed, settling back slowly in his chair, the most animation he had shown since the beginning of their meeting – and Emira’s expression finally softened from the careful composure.

“I understand that you were a friend to Rhy and Kell in Asora?”