To Seduce An Assassin (The Omaja Series Book 2)(67)
“Jiandra!” Graciella motioned to her sister as she came up the stairs. “Come in here; I want to tell you something.”
Jiandra followed her into the library.
Graciella closed the double doors behind them and headed for the settee. “Let’s sit by the fire and chat a moment.”
Her sister sank onto the couch. “What is it? You look like a cat who’s caught a mouse.”
“Yavi.”
“Yes? What about him?”
“He kissed me last night.”
Jiandra’s eyes widened. “He did what?”
“Kissed me. Said he loved me.” Graciella hugged a pillow to her chest. “Ohhh, sister, it was wonderful!”
“How did this happen? Was it after Yajna and I went to bed?”
“Yes.” Graciella related the whole guard-duty-while-she-slept agreement she and Yavi had made, and how she’d finally urged him to join her on the bed at three o’clock in the morning.
“Poor thing was sleeping sitting up in the chair when I woke up. I begged him to please just lie on the bed, on top of the covers if he wanted.”
“And just like that, he got into bed with you?”
“Yes. I was shocked. He’s been so aloof, rebuffing all my advances so far.”
Jiandra frowned. “He’d better not be just toying with you.”
“That’s why I’m bringing this up. Do you think you could…perhaps, just this once…read his mind with the Omaja tonight at dinner? See what he’s really thinking, if he’s really in love?”
“No. That’s not what the Omaja is for; I’ve told you this.”
Graciella sighed. “I know. I just feel so excited and scared it isn’t real.”
“In the meantime, I’ll attempt to find out what he’s thinking the old-fashioned way. By asking him.”
“You will?”
“You’re my little sister, and you’re like a daughter to me besides. There is no way I’m allowing Yavi of the Zulfikars to take advantage of my Gracie.”
Graciella pressed her lips together. “Well, don’t embarrass him, please. Poor guy probably doesn’t realize we sisters talk about everything.”
“I don’t care if he gets embarrassed—If he’s breaking his oath of celibacy, I want to make sure his intentions are honorable. Period.”
“Sheesh, I wouldn’t want him to cross you when you’re upset.”
“No, you wouldn’t,” Jiandra agreed, chuckling. “Ever since I found out that I’m with child, my mothering instincts have been extremely fierce.”
“All right, well, when you speak to him, let me know what you find out.”
“It’s a deal. Shall we order tea and cinnamon bread? I’m starved.”
§
Yavi stood with his brother in the guard captain’s quarters, conferring with General Binnaj of the Assassin Army and General Manck of the Warrior Army. Army captains Pavan, Terthan, and Shardul also joined them.
Terthan shook his head. “There are no abandoned fortresses in Nandala, Sire. If there were, we would have already reclaimed them for defense positions.”
Yavi put his hands on his hips. “The queen said the room Uman and Terijin were meeting in could be underground. If what she saw was a meeting of the members of the rebellion, we must find the location of this underground fortress, now.”
“Have any of you been to the old guard tower outside Faril?” Yajna asked the officers.
“The one that’s half-crumbled to the ground?” Binnaj asked. “I have traveled past it many times. There’s nothing there.”
“Are you certain there isn’t something in the ground under that tower?” Yavi pressed. “Have you explored the ruins up close?”
“No, Mahaj. I suppose it’s worth a closer look.”
“Yes, send an assassin scout party tonight. I want a report by tomorrow morning.” Yavi turned to the map, bracing a hand on the table as he studied the drawings of the roads and woods around Faril. “Tell them not to engage the enemy or even let them know they are in the area. I want this mission to be kept secret at all costs. They are simply looking for a hidden door, a hatch with a ladder, or a staircase leading down. Yajna and I will take it from there.”
“Yes, Sire.” Binnaj put his fist over his heart. “I’ll send my best scouts.”
Yajna spoke up. “General Manck, what is the report on the patrols for bandits?”
“We have cleared the entire highway from here to Ularia, as well as the one leading west toward Hajan. I am waiting for a report back on the northernmost trade routes and the rural areas south of Darpan.”
“Nothing unusual being reported on the bandit groups, no rumors of loyalty to a son of Thakur?”
“Nothing more than what those farmers had heard up in Nirren. The bandits we’ve killed or rounded up didn’t seem to be part of any sort of organized groups, if that’s what you mean. Nor did any of them make reference to the Zulfikars as ‘usurpers’ or speak of some heir of Thakur’s.”
“Alert all your guards to keep their eyes and ears open,” Yajna warned.
“Aye, Sire.”
“One more thing, General Manck.” Yavi folded his arms. “Can you spare some well-trained warriors to join the palace detail? I want to provide extra security since the queen’s sister is here visiting. In the event of war, I want her protected at all costs.”