Page 15 of Aria's Desire

As an emissary, he was likely used to being treated with distrust and would expect to be grilled for information. So, how does one manipulate a person who’s expecting to be manipulated? The answer was simple.

He was the messenger and, as such, would be treated as an extension of his Queen, not seen as a person, not really.

So, instead of responding to his statement, she asked, “What’s your name?”

There it was: the briefest flicker of surprise. His wall fell, and in that split second, she got a little glimpse of the man beneath those empty, pale orange eyes. Eager to please, smart but unambitious, dutiful.

None of that gave her much to work with, and he recovered admirably quickly, dipping his chin to hide his eyes from her for just long enough to regain his blankness.

“I am Sidhir.”

“Nice to meet you, Sidhir,” she murmured, smiling gently. Leaning forward, she adopted a more relaxed pose and cocked her head. Still smiling softly, but letting her gaze go as blank as his, she asked, “Does your Queen mean us harm?”

She expected him to sayno, but how he said it would likely tell her something.

Another flash of surprise. As she’d wanted, he was thrown off balance by the contradictory friendliness and aggression she was giving him, made more confusing because she was mirroring his polite blankness.

“No. Of course not, Sa- Aria.”

He appeared genuine. Nodding once, slowly, she sat back. “My mate, Kix, will show you to a room where you can freshen up and eat. I’m sure you’re tired from your journey.”

Sidhir rose gracefully to his feet, picking up that it wasn’t an offer he could refuse. He offered another bow then followed behind Kix as he led the way out of the room, but not before throwing a quick glance at Rellik.

When the door shut behind them, she let out a slow breath and spoke to the room at large. “How did she know we’ve taken over this arena? We’ve checked and rechecked everyone after the Salesh fiasco.”

Sin grunted, drawing her attention. “Outside.”

Aria nodded. That was her thought, as well. Having spies among the population also explained how the Gaiaeshi had gotten a hold of translators.

They’d made a concerted effort to appear as if nothing was wrong here, but being ‘closed’ for three months was bound to attract attention. If someone was watching close enough, they’d be able to guess something was up.

“So, maybe she didn’t know for sure it had been taken over and, if it had, by whom. Sending in an emissary makes sense. The message they deliver, or if they deliver one at all, would depend on what they find.”

Turning, she gave Rellik a raised brow. He shook his head, understanding her unspoken question.

“This was not done when I was there. Or if it was, I was unaware of it.”

“Unlikely,” she argued. If his Queen had spies out and about in the world, he would’ve known.

He hid his amusement and pride behind a purposefully unconvincing expression of modesty, making her smile, but it faded quickly.

“I wonder if she knows her firstborn daughter came here and never left?”

Rellik grimaced. “Best to assume she does.”

“Let us hope she does not know,” Tirox cut in. “Or that she did not hold much fondness for her offspring.”

Aria fell silent, thinking. When she realized everyone was staring at her, she raised her brows, inviting them to share their thoughts.

Rellik started with what they were all likely wondering. “Are you considering this?”

Nodding slowly, she met their gazes one by one. “This is an opportunity I don’t think we can, or should, pass up.”

After coming home to find one of his people had seized their arena, she’d asked Rellik to share everything about them. Their military capabilities alone would’ve made an alliance with them appealing. It wasn’t that they had advanced weaponry, it was the magnitude of their standing army. With those kinds of numbers backing her, taking over the planet could happen in months instead of years.

“We need to try. It’s possible this is meant to lure us in so she can kill the person who offed her kid, but there’s a chance it’s genuine.” Looking at Rellik, she continued, “You told me that, shortly before Salesh sold you into slavery, you felt like the Queen was getting tired of living in hiding.” He nodded in agreement. “So, maybe what she needed to take action was to see that someone else was fighting back, as well.”

Kix came back just then, announcing, “As far as he knows, the offer is genuine. This Ishtal wants an alliance.”

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