Page 69 of A World Enough

Camber wanted this wolf even more. She dared to presume that the feelings were connected to her. She was hoping. When she’d left, after their small argument, all Camber could feel was fire inside her and the feel of Brogan’s breath and her lips trailing down her neck.

She wasn’t used to dealing with these emotions, much like she thought Brogan was struggling. Camber had come up with a plan to help them talk about what was going on between them.

“I have a suggestion. We’re going out for dinner tonight, so this afternoon we have time. I thought we could go in the RR, and I could show you Danus, where I was brought up, among the monks, where they look after the super portal and praise Danu. Vorka is the elder of the monks and the closest thing I have to a parent. You could bring your art things—there are monuments, and the scenery is wild and beautiful.”

“Yeah, I would love that. I’d love to see anything about you,” Brogan said.

Camber said, “Why don’t we get some food sent up to take with us, and we could talk. I know you don’t like too much talking, but I think we do need a talk.”

“Okay.” Brogan sounded worried.

“Don’t worry, Wolfy. I won’t pin you down and make you tell me all your deepest, darkest secrets.” Camber laughed, but she was sure Brogan still looked worried.

“Good idea,” Brogan said.

“Let’s go and check the menu, then.”

Davor was sitting in his office, off the main bridge of the cruiser. He was going over his history and mythological people’s reports on the map and the beyond. He had scoured all four corners of the realm to find the best experts on the history of the ones who came before, who made the portals and the map and might know what The Beyond was.

There was so much myth and legend, it was hard to know what was real and what was fiction. The Beyond and access to it were the pinnacle of Davor’s ambitions, to bring Abnobians back to be an empire like they once were, and to make even bigger strides and control other realms that were too far away to reach by their ships.

Davor would lead, with total control over time and space. No rebels could ever defeat them then. He needed that Map Keeper.

The voice of the captain came though his computer. “Commander-in-chief?”

“Yes.”

“I have Cardo wishing to speak to you.”

Was this it? Was this the message to tell him that Cardo had the Map Keeper for him?

“I’ll take it on the bridge.”

Davor wanted to show Cardo the full power of the bridge officers, with him standing at the head.

He got up and walked through to the bridge of the cruiser ship. The bridge captain got up from the captain’s chair and gave it to Davor. Davor didn’t sit. He stood, hands on hips in a powerful position, all seven feet of him.

“Put him on.”

He could see Cardo was in a side room, away from the Drazani guard. Are you feeling the heat?

“Do you have my Map Keeper yet, Cardo?” Davor said.

Cardo looked nervous. “Not as yet, Davor. We would have been to Ziggy’s by now, but we were held up going through the edge of Vetia’s space.”

“Queen Emaris’s planet? What happened?” Davor said with surprise.

“The queen’s border forces insisted on checking every nut and bolt on the ship. It’s slowed us down considerably,” Cardo said.

“Do you think this was intentional?” Davor asked.

“It seemed like it to me.”

“Queen Emaris’s kingdom has stayed neutral so far, in the line between us and the rebels,” Davor said.

“That’s all I can tell you. So we’re about twelve to fifteen hours behind. But we will get there by tomorrow, late morning.”

“Let’s hope so for you. Bring the Map Keeper back to me. I might remind you, you are surrounded by Drazani guards. Remember that. So put every ounce of your brain, brawn, and drive into finding her.”