“But now your life has changed. You may find a mate of your own kind. The captain—”
“Do not speak further of her, Aino’Kei.”
“Because you see no future between you?” Miklos kept his mild manner, refusing to react to Ronan’s deliberate insolence.
Ronan bared his teeth. “No more.”
“Very well. I apologize for my inquisitiveness.”
Apology from one of high rank could be interpreted as disadvantage. Ronan’s confidence returned. In the garden beyond the window, a man walked out among the children and paused to speak to their li’laik’in.
Janek. He stood among the children, smiling, as if he belonged there. A moment’s study of several of the children convinced Ronan of a resemblance between them and the Persephonean Observer.
Ronan glanced at Miklos to gauge his reaction. The Second’s face revealed a moment of chagrin and then resumed its bland, pleasant expression.
“I did not know,” Ronan said softly, “that Ser Janek was of your House.”
“That was why he was chosen to observe aboard the Pegasus—he always preferred working behind the scenes. It was highly unlikely he’d be recognized.” Miklos sighed. “I see no reason to withhold information from you now that you’ve seen him in the palace. Phineas Janek is, in fact, my nephew Damon, another of Kori’s children.”
“A Challinor.”
“Yes.”
“He works in your intelligence division, to gather information about enemies?”
“And allies, where critical projects are involved.” His eyes narrowed. “You have divined a great deal during your journey aboard the Pegasus, telepathically or otherwise. You know die ship is not an ordinary one.”
“I know.”
“We must, of course, ascertain exactly how much you know and what you might do with the information if given complete freedom.”
“No matter what you decide, Aino’Kei, you cannot release me. I know who Janek is, and I would report it to Captain D’Accorso.”
“Who already has suspicions of her own.” Miklos looked as though he wished to touch Ronan, and Ronan backed a step away. “Your honesty in this matter goes far in convincing me that you are as trustworthy as Cynara claims.”
Ronan shook his head. “I do not understand these human ways.”
“Not even humans always understand them.” The child Melanthe waved, and Miklos waved back. Janek—Damon—glanced up and seemed to see Miklos and Ronan for the first time. His expression darkened.
“I know that you and my nephew were not the best of friends aboard the Pegasus,” Miklos said, “and he has made his opinion of you quite clear. He doesn’t trust you, Ronan. I must take his opinion into consideration. But his is not the only one.”
Damon’s mouth moved, but his voice was muffled by the glass. Melanthe ran up to the window and pressed her face against the surface, flattening her nose in a deliberately grotesque mask. She laughed up at Miklos. He made a face in return.
The affection was real. Ronan tried to imagine what it would have been like to grow up with such closeness—not only the kindness any li’laik’i might show a child, but the true knowledge of belonging, of acceptance. He smiled at the girl, hesitantly, and she grinned back.
“Come,” Miklos said. “There are others I wish you to meet.” He stepped away from the window, expecting Ronan to follow. Damon Challinor’s eyes met Ronan’s in open challenge, and then Ronan turned his back and went after Miklos.
They passed adjoining corridors connecting various office and sitting rooms and came at last to a wing that seemed devoted to practical affairs rather than family comfort. Miklos walked through a pair of ordinary doors into a reception area, where an administrative clerk rose from his desk and quickly bowed acknowledgment.
“I haven’t an appointment,” Miklos said, “but if Mes Carter VelShaan is available, I would like to speak to her.” * VelShaan. A Kinsman name. Ronan made swift assessment of his own telepathic defenses.
“I’ll check at once, my lord,” the clerk said. He spoke into his headset, and a moment later he nodded and addressed Miklos. “Mes Carter VelShaan is in her office, Lord Miklos. I’ll escort you at once.”
“Unnecessary. I know the way.” He smiled at the clerk and led Ronan through another set of doors. At once Ronan strongly felt what he had been expecting: the sensation of many powerful telepathic minds in close proximity.