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“What did you and Eamon talk about?” I asked.
“Just…you and some business regarding Morah and Oryn. He’s been after several texts in my possession for decades.”
“And you don’t want to give them up?” I tilted my head to the side.
“I didn’t want to, no.”
“Didn’t?”
The side of his mouth curved into a grin. “That’s related to the other half of our conversation.” He winked.
Malina and Nikan were leaned over the large gathering table as Eamon was explaining something to them when Ryker and I entered the study.
“Ah, Kya. Lord Ryker. Nikan and Malina have just informed me of what you learned from the seller and the small beach that was referenced at the northern end of Dusan.”
Ryker and I squeezed in next to Malina as Eamon began discussing the details of how this most up-to-date map had been surveyed. But I couldn’t hear him. Not with Ryker standing behind me. Not when his hand drifted to the small of my back and rested there. Not when he pressed his body closer to mine in order to get a better look at the map everyone was concentrating on. And definitely not when his thumb rhythmically grazed back and forth. I don’t think he even realized he was doing it.
I had never felt so flustered that a simple light touch from a male could completely unravel me and turn me into some dumb-struck adolescent female. But I just couldn’t help it. I shook my head and blinked my eyes back into focus, forcing myself to concentrate on the High Scholar.
“—that close to the Glaev of Atara. But, here, shows a small patch of land between the Glaev and the Rip that could be passable.”
“It shouldn’t take long to get there from here. Maybe three days. We can leave in the morning, with the exception of Nik who’s staying behind to oversee the terbis wielders,” Malina spoke to the room.
“Actually, I’d like you to remain here, Malina,” Eamon interjected and my eyebrows raised in surprise. “I need someone to head the investigation on the intrusion. I don’t trust that the Scholars won’t be too shaken to put their emotions aside and handle it properly. Use all your channels and resources and find this culprit. And Kya will continue on her journey to complete the task from her God. Lord Ryker and I have discussed that he will travel with her and help where he can.”
I guess that’s what he meant when he said they were talking about me.
I wondered if he told Eamon that we were mates, though not yet bonded.
“But Eamon—” Nikan glowered from the other side of Malina. I could tell that he didn’t like this decision one bit.
“It’s decided, Nikan,” Eamon clipped, standing fully and conjuring the authority of the High Scholar he was.
Nikan nodded slowly.
“For now, get some rest. You’ve all been traveling for a long while. And quite frankly, it’s late and I’m tired. Let’s regroup tomorrow to work out the details.”
Eamon ushered us out of his study. Ryker and I followed Nikan and Malina but as we got through the doorway, Eamon cleared his throat and Ryker stopped. I continued walking, pretending that I didn’t notice that he wasn’t following me anymore.
“The payment?” I heard Eamon whisper.
“I’ll send it when I return,” Ryker whispered.
Payment for what?
A moment later, he hurried to catch up with me and we all headed up to the residential level.
“More Oryn business?” I asked in a low voice.
“Just a continuation of our previous conversation.” He smiled down at me.
I didn’t smile back. I wanted to know.
“It’s nothing bad, I swear.” He held up his hands. “He wanted those texts and I gave him my price.”
“And what exactly is your price?”
“That he withholds dispensing your information and status from the other Nations for the time being. The Worthy will know but at least without the Trial announcements, it’s less likely for you to be noticed by the general public while on your search for whatever it is your looking for.”
