After an hour or so, I set it aside, head throbbing. “NAID?”
“Yes?”
“How are you?”
“Perfectly optimal.”
That hadn’t been the best question to ask. “Anything new?”
“Dr. Qinlin is interviewing candidates to take over my independence project when we return home. She prefers to be a doctor on a ship rather than research. Shocking, considering her personality.”
I grinned.
“She’s planning on turning the project over to an engineer.”
An idea started to form in the back of my mind. “What about Wyn?”
“What about Wyn? You need to narrow the parameters.”
“What about having him assigned to the project? I don’t know if he’d even want to.” I kind of hoped he would. It would keep Wyn on Tamkolvanloknol. Urgg would go wherever Talvax was assigned, but Wyn could stay.
NAID bobbed on the TV. “He can’t head the project with his rank, but he possesses enough qualifications to join. I could mention it to Dr. Qinlin. It would be a prestigious appointment for him.”
“I would appreciate it,” I said, massaging my temples in an attempt to get rid of the growing throbbing.
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I’m just getting a headache.”
“I should tell Prince Kalvoxrencol.”
“No,” I said, sitting up and upsetting Lucy. “I’ll be fine.”
“He would want to know.”
“It would worry him.”
“Maybe you should see Dr. Qinlin?” NAID suggested, bobbing.
“Really, it’s not a big deal. I need to lie down, though. I’ll talk to you later.”
With my head throbbing, I went to my bedroom and turned the lights down. I tried to fall asleep, but it would not come. It didn’t matter what position I tried. I couldn’t get comfortable, and my headache didn’t ease. A while later, the door opened and the bed dipped before arms pulled me against a solid chest.
“Kal.”
“Are you alright, my Seth?” he asked.
“I have a headache.” His muscles tightened instantly, and I rubbed his arm to soothe him. “I will be fine, Babe.”
His breath stirred the hair on my neck as he slowly relaxed.
“What did your father want?”
“I thought he was going to yell at me, but he didn’t. He liked you and the fact you’re so protective of me, but he’s worried.”
“About?” The sheets bunched as I rolled toward Kal. I wanted to see him, but in the darkness of the room, I couldn’t make out more than his outline.
“Me.”
