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“That’s enough,” Jobek warned her. “You made your point, mate. We allowed ourselves to get carried away. We will be less reckless if we spar again.”
Her anger was far from appeased, but continuing to vent her temper in public would likely result in a public spanking. Instead, she muttered, “Yes, Commander,” and walked over to stand by Tandor.
“Thank you for the bout, Commander.” Jobek nodded respectfully. “It has been years since I’ve had so much fun with my clothes on.”
Everyone laughed and the crowd dispersed.
Jobek crossed the mat and stood in front of Ansley. “We were sparring. Things often get bloody when soldiers spar. I’m sorry we upset you.”
She nodded, not yet ready to forgive him.
“Now it’s your turn,” he prompted.
“My turn?” What the hell was he talking about?
“Was your behavior appropriate just now?”
Tension gathered between her shoulders and her instincts urged her to rebel. “I was worried about you.”
“Which is the only reason you’re not over my knee already.” He didn’t say any more, but his expectant look made it obvious that the conversation wasn’t finished.
She knew what he expected and knew he wouldn’t let up until she gave it to him. Besides, he was right. She should have waited until they were alone to go off on him. “I’m sorry I confronted you in public. That was disrespectful and made you look weak.”
He nodded, finger combing his damp hair back from his face. “This is the first time you’ve challenged me in public, so I will let you off with a warning. However.”
She cringed. Cylex was basically Jobek’s commanding officer. She never should have berated him. “I’m really sorry I went off on Cylex. That was definitely not my place.”
He studied her silently for a moment and she thought he might let her off the hook. “I’m going to go grab a shower. We will finish this conversation when I join you in our quarters.”
Damn. And double damn. Her exciting announcement had just been preempted by discipline. “Yes, Commander.” She watched helplessly as he strode across the room. There was no way she’d talk her way out of this one.
Tandor wrapped his arms around her shoulders and guided her toward the exit. “You’re sulking.”
“I’m simmering,” she warned. “There’s a difference.”
“His wounds are easily healed with a med-wand. What is really bothering you?”
It had been shocking to find one of her mates beaten and bloody, but much of her reaction had come from seeing that Cylex was the one who had delivered the damage. “I’m frustrated with Raina and seeing Cylex beating the shit out of Jobek felt like an extension of that drama.”
He looked down at her, his gaze a little redder than usual. “Why are you angry with Raina? I thought you and she had become close friends.”
“We are, but I can’t help but feel like she’s also my boss. Most of what she told me has been extremely helpful, but there is one thing…” She sighed and wrapped her arm around his waist, snuggling in closer against his side. “I don’t want to explain until Jobek is with us. It affects all of us.”
“Okay, but you’re worrying me.”
She gave his lean middle a squeeze. “Don’t be. It’s nothing bad, I promise.”
They reached their quarters and Ansley set down on the sofa while Tandor went to print her a glass of wine. Most of the apartments were identical, she had learned from the other conduits. There were a few lavish suites, but those were reserved for those way above her pay grade. The suites on this level consisted of compact living space with a kitchen area tucked away in one corner and an even smaller workstation in another. A bedroom, storage closet, and bathroom. The bathroom could be accessed from the bedroom or the living area and there was a recycling unit in the kitchen area and the bathroom. Nothing fancy, nothing luxurious. Just the basic necessities of life. It could be why nearly everyone moved off site as soon as they finished training.
Tandor sat down next to her and handed her one of the wineglasses he was holding. “Sure you won’t give me a hint?”
Ansley laughed. “Remind me to never tell you a secret.”
“Oh, I’m great at keeping secrets from others. I’m just terrible at knowing someone else is keeping one from me.”
She took a couple of sips of the wine before she told him, “I threw fireballs today.”
“That’s wonderful.” He leaned down and kissed her on the temple. “I knew you had nothing to be concerned about. And now that you’ve found the path, the rest is just shaping the energy.”
