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Au'revele swallowed and licked her lips, savoring the taste of him still on her lips. “Not at all,” she finally managed.

One side of Zahn’s lips lifted into a smile, before he managed to control it. “Good.”

“Good?” she asked, thoroughly confused.

“Go rest, Au'revele.”

“Okay,” she said, but she didn’t make a move to go back into her quarters.

Zahn leaned forward and very softly kissed her lips, then he let go of her and walked away. He stopped after only a few steps and looked back at her. “Do not allow that male to spend any time with you.”

“What male?” she asked.

“The one in the dining room.”

“I don’t even know him,” she said.

“Keep it that way.”

“You can’t tell me…”

“Please, keep it that way!” he interrupted, though it didn’t sound like he was asking. It sounded like he was telling.

“Why do you care?” she finally managed.

“Remember what you said about behavior speaking to the truth more than words do?” he asked.

“Of course, I do, I said it.”

“What has my behavior just indicated to you, Au'revele?” he demanded.

Au'revele just stood there, watching him as he turned his back to her and walked away.

“Go rest!” he called out without looking back.

Au'revele smiled to herself, then closed her door and locked it. She leaned her back against the door and looked unseeingly around her quarters as she relived the feel of Zhan’s hands on her face, the feel and taste of his lips on hers. She inhaled deeply, searching for his scent, then let out a shaky breath. Pushing herself off the door, she made her way to her bedroom to get cleaned up and get some rest before going back to see if she could help Vivian. But even she couldn’t deny the smile she just couldn’t seem to force from her face.

~~~

The next morning Au'revele hurried up the steps to the third floor, her heart beating rapidly in her chest as the anticipation of seeing Zahn for the first time since he’d kissed her had every nerve in her body tingling. The moment she reached the third floor landing, she hesitated, looking back down the grand staircase toward the first floor. She closed her eyes, intentionally grounding herself in the moment. “What if he is his hateful, unpleasant self again?” she murmured to herself quietly.

“Au'revele!”

She spun around to see who was approaching.

“Chairman Bartholomew. Good morning.”

“And to you. I trust you had a restful night.”

“I did. Though I’m sure I could have been of better use here at Sirena Vivian’s side.”

Bart shook his head dismissively. “Not at all. She’s surrounded by nurses and family that is more than happy to help in any way. When she’ll need you most is when we all go home and she’s left here with a son who behaves a little too much like his father.”

Au'revele laughed. “He is not the most docile youngling.”

Bart laughed, too. “No, he is certainly not.”

“He is perfect, though. I look forward to watching him grow.”

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