Page 10 of Sky’s Edge

I hated this idea because Laura was one of my best friends. Everyone already knew she was engaged to Aleksei, that had been spectacularly communicated through several dramatic events.

That said, she’d never been a fan of attention being on her, so if I asked, she’d probably be all for Tanyn and me doing our thing at that party.

But still.

It was her night.

However, if things went according to my plans, none of this would happen anyway, so I wasn’t going to waste energy discussing it.

Surprisingly, Mom spoke up.

“And how is my daughter meant to be seen with the king? She has a life and an occupation here in Nocturn, and even on a priority route, it’s a four-hour craft ride to Abyssinia.”

“Once the trial is over, we’ll be working out the specifics,” Mira replied. “Though, I’ll warn you now, I believe the king should be seen with Miss Truelock no less than four times. The goal should be six.”

Considering one could say Tanyn’s job being the new king and cleaning up after his criminally insane (in a variety of ways) half-brother was more important than mine as the director of an art gallery, I sensed I’d be spending a lot of time on a craft in the coming weeks.

“Perhaps Miss Truelock can work from Abyssinia?” Mira suggested. But before I could answer (not that I was going to, I either wouldn’t have a choice, although it was practically impossible to manage an art gallery not being in the gallery, or during the trial I’d make it so this would be moot (pray Lilith)), she said, “Just a warning. Again, we’ll work out the details after the trial.”

When no one said anything, Tanyn asked, “Is this acceptable to you, Catla?”

It was not.

“Of course,” I replied dully.

Tanyn studied me.

I let him.

Mira broke into this. “Well then, we have our course set, and we’ll be hard at work at it after the trial. Though, I’ll put everything in place so I simply have to hit go when I have the order.”

Tanyn broke our staring contest to turn to the holo. “Thank you, Mira.”

“At your service, sire.”

That sire business again.

Yuck.

“Lovely to meet you,” Mom said.

“You as well,” Mira replied, sounding like she meant it, when she totally didn’t.

Dad pressed a button on his desk console and Mira blinked out.

I pulled my Palm out of my clutch and started to order a Fly.

“Catla?” Dad called.

After I hit go on the Fly, I looked up at him. “Is that all?”

“I was hoping you’d have dinner with us.” He threw out a hand to indicate Tanyn. “All of us.”

I stood. “I’m afraid I have plans. And I just ordered a Fly. I’ll wait for my pilot outside.”

“You have a detail, dearest,” Mom noted.

“And I’ll be living with that the rest of my life. For now, I want to take a Fly home.”