“I’m not sure what I am supposed to be doing.”
“Then we will start with getting you cleaned up and putting some blood into you before your body discovers another dramatic method of complaining.”
Despite herself, Veya laughed.
Mary’s eyes warmed.
“There. That is already an improvement.”
She looked toward Dax.
“Go. I will look after her.”
“She is not a project.”
“Neither are any of you, although that has never stopped me from fussing.”
Dax returned to the bed and paused before Veya.
“I will come back.”
“That sounds suspiciously like a promise.”
“It is the nearest thing you are getting tonight.”
He cupped the side of her face and waited until she leaned into the contact before pressing a lingering kiss against her forehead.
The gesture held no claim.
It was simply another choice offered and accepted.
Mary watched with unconcealed satisfaction.
“It is about time one of you remembered how to smile.”
Dax gave her a halfhearted glare before leaving the room.
Mary turned toward Veya.
“Come along. Let us make you presentable before those brothers decide they require another crisis to avoid discussing their feelings.”
Veya accepted her offered arm.
“You are very calm about all of this.”
“I knew Rhen when he was still offended by trousers with buttons. There is very little left capable of surprising me.”
Mary led her from the room.
* * *
Dax took the longer route to the war room.
The weight of the past several hours followed him through every corridor, but regret did not accompany it. The relationship had accelerated beyond anything sensible, yet he did not regret Veya, the intimacy, or the fact that he had chosen her openly.
When he entered the war room, Cole looked up immediately.
Malakai stood beside the map table and followed Dax’s entrance with a level, assessing stare.
