She paused, eyes landing on a person she hadn’t expected, and quickly tilted her head, straining for Thaan or Deimos’s heart sounds nearby. “What are you doing here?”
Vouri propped her feet on our ottoman, lifting her nose in the air. “Rude.”
“Madam Freisa came around the offices looking for any secretaries who might want to take on laundry duty while we were gone,” I supplied, lowering myself onto the cushion next to Vouri.
Vouri nodded. “This wing was one on the list, so I signed up.”
I patted the ottoman impatiently, indicating for Selena to lay the tray down. “If Thaan or Deimos are home, we’ll exchange written messages only, no speaking. But if they’re gone, we’re free to talk. This way, we don’t have to meet in secret.”
Selena hesitated. Then set the tray down slowly, sinking into a chair. Something in her body tensed. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“Why not?” Vouri asked. “All three of us are where we’re supposed to be.”
Selena didn't meet the Venusian’s eyes. “Thaan spoke to me…oddly after you left,” she said to me.
I frowned. “What did he say?”
“He mentioned the Naiad that found me in the solarium a couple weeks ago. And then something about Naiads betraying him.”
Hand on the lid of the tray, I paused. “Do you think Vouri should leave?”
Selena glanced at her. “No. Of course not. But if we hear any doors open”—she dipped her head toward Thaan’s wall—“we should probably get you out of here. Are you hungry, Vouri? I only asked for two, but I don’t mind sharing.”
Vouri shook her head. “I can run down and get my own after I leave.”
Selena waved an impatient hand at the idea, standing to seek a clean plate from our cupboard. “We won’t eat in front of you. Have some of mine; I’m not very hungry. Did you read Oberon’s letter from the Rivean Embassy?”
“Yes, and we already returned it.” I lifted the lid. Steam spilled out from the tray as I did, along with the rich, sweet scent of roasted fish and dark savory sauces over a bed of lemon and shaved carrots. “He believes the Rivean King’s nephew is sickly. Thinks the baby is half the size he should be and notes the young prince has trouble walking without an attendant. That he has rare hair for a Rivean. Black like his late mother.”
Selena scooted to the edge of her seat to offer the plate to Vouri. “But nothing that makes you think Thaan’s called him down for an attack against Venusia?”
Vouri and I shook our heads.
The three of us peered over the open tray. My stomach growled. “Bass?” I guessed, not recognizing the deep color of the fillet. It had been cut into thin strips, a glaze over its skin, tiny seeds sprinkled over the top.
Vouri took her plate from Selena. “I don’t know, but it looks amazing. Say what you want about humans, but they can cook.” She served herself a few cuts of the fish then leaned back into the cushions, ignoring her fork to pop one of the thin pieces into her mouth. A mischievous smile played over her lips.
“What did my brother say about my note?”
Selena gathered her own plate, fork relaxed in her hand. She smoothly speared a fillet. “I don’t think he was pleased.”
“Yes,” I added, “thank you for sending us in blind to your attempt at convincing your brother to let youcordae.”
Vouri laughed. She reached behind her head, pulling a pin from her hair and shaking her knot free. Then burrowed herself deep into the cushions, plate resting on her folded knees. “You’re welcome.”
“So.” Selena chewed thoughtfully then swallowed. “Who is it?”
Aiming her smile down at her plate, Vouri demurred. “Who is what?”
I filled my own plate, sinking back into the couch. “Your secret Naiad, flea-for-brains.”
Vouri’s smile grew. She didn’t say a word.
Selena leaned forward for a scoop of glazed carrots. “Is it Sindri?”
Mid-bite, Vouri’s eyes shot to her. “How did you know?” she asked, mouth full.
“Because he’s handsome,” Selena said.
