“I need to check on Veya.”
Cole’s eyebrows rose.
“Again?”
“She has been locked in a room with Rhen as her only reliable source of information. That is enough to make anyone unstable.”
A trace of reluctant agreement moved across Cole’s face.
Malakai signed,Do not let her wander near Norse.
“I won’t.”
Dax left the main room and returned to the eastern guest suite.
He knocked and waited until Veya answered.
“Who is it?”
“Dax.”
The latch moved after a pause.
Veya opened the door only far enough to look at him.
Her eyes were clearer after the blood, although exhaustion remained visible beneath them.
“What happened?”
“Nothing you need to worry about tonight.”
“That usually means something terrible happened.”
“In this house, that is a reasonable assumption.”
Veya studied him.
Dax indicated the corridor behind him.
“You said you needed to move. I can take you for a supervised walk, provided you agree not to run, attack anyone, or insult the king.”
“Those are very specific conditions.”
“We learn through experience.”
Her gaze narrowed.
“Is Rhen here?”
“No.”
Veya opened the door wider.
“Then yes.”
Dax stepped aside and allowed her to enter the corridor first.
She wore the same oversized sweatshirt and moved carefully over the cold floor with bare feet. Her balance had improved, but Dax stayed half a step beside her without crowding or attempting to guide her physically.
