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her face and found some clothing in the wardrobe. Loose trousers and a long tunic with a sash fit well enough, so she put on the sandals that matched the clothing and went in search of the ambassador or his wife.
    Daphne was sitting with her feet up in the area where Teyha vaguely remembered eating a meal the night before. A breakfast plate was waiting for her.
    “Morning, Teyha. Or should I say afternoon. You have been out for sixteen hours.” Daphne smiled brightly.
    “Yech. No wonder my mouth tasted like the bottom of a sand dune.” She took the open seat and looked around. “Where are the Shadow Folk?”
    “Gone. They are back on the mother ship by now, and those younglings are getting swatted and hugged in equal measure. How was your trip?”
    Teyha felt unaccountably disappointed that Ekinar had not come by to say farewell.
    “Thinking about Representative Rossing?”
    Daphne’s voice cut right through her mopey thoughts.
    “Yes. How did you know?”
    “Because I look that way every time Apolan has to take a trip to the mother ship for status reports. I have seen it in the mirror.” Daphne’s lips were twisted in amusement.
    “I don’t event really know…I mean, I thought there might be…I mean he kissed me.” The last came out on a rush.
    Daphne’s brows lifted as she smiled. “A very good sign, that. The Nine only come into contact with us under duress or attraction. I am guessing it was both in your case.”
    Teyha thought about it. “No. He touched me first. I mean, I had to take the hands of the others to get them out of the oubliette but that was duress, but he wasn’t dumb enough to walk into it.”
    Daphne blinked in surprise. “You have a lot to tell me, but eat first, you are so pale, I can almost see through you.”
    Before stuffing her face, she had to ask, “Did I miss my lecture?”
    “We postponed it. You looked a little rough when you arrived. The university understood.”
    Teyha found that hard to believe. “Are you serious?”
    Daphne laughed, “No, but Apolan agreed to do a speaking engagement, and they jumped at the chance to have one of the Nine speaking.”
    Snickering, Teyha finished her breakfast. “So, what did I miss?”
    Her friend smiled slowly. “Well, you have not seen the last of Ekinar…”
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Eight
     
     
    Ekinar paced restlessly. The children had told their stories to the governing body, Nosku had tried to cover up for his nephew, and Ekinar had contradicted his version. They had to wait for the verdict of the council.
    It was peculiar to have part of him so far away, but the emotions that he was picking up from his mate soothed him when his impulses started to rise. In the two days since he had returned to the mother ship, his every waking moment had been spent thinking about Teyha.
    He felt her confusion the first time she woke and every emotion she had had since. There was nothing that Ekinar wanted more than to get down to Gaia and claim his mate, but until this inquiry ended, there was no chance of that happening.
    His shadow was barely under his control today. It lashed out at anyone who got too close and that alone had him worried. If he didn’t get to Teyha soon, he was going to go mad.
    “Representative Rossing? They will see you now.” The voice was calm and low as if trying not to enrage him.
    Ekinar jerked his head in affirmative and followed the messenger back into the council hall. The chairs were arranged in a semicircle, and he walked to the central point to wait.
    They did not leave him waiting long.
    Councillor Rothaway leaned forward, “There is some conflict in your stories, Ekinar Rossing.”
    “I suspected as much.” He was resigned to whatever disciplinary actions the council chose to enact as long as he could return to Gaia and claim his mate. After that, he didn’t care as long as she was next to him and safe.
    “We have had to engage in a last-resort effort and made arrangements to contact your guide.