“I cannot wait for her to suggest that Zahra work in the household,” Sloane whispered so no one could overhear them.
“You think it will cause unrest?”
“I think she is going to scream so loudly that she will awaken our ancestors.” His grin was delighted, and Tegan shoved him playfully. “You cannot tell Michael, he will tell her.” Sloane grabbed her arm suddenly, his playfulness gone.
“He cannot be trusted?” Tegan looked at her feet in disappointment.
“He can, of course he can, Tegan.” Sloane patted her arm. “But she is his little sister. He has protected her for a long time. In fact, he is the reason she is spoiled.”
“Maybe the two attacks will open his eyes to the danger she is in if she cannot defend herself?”
“Maybe.”
Kallie came out of her father’s room and smiled in greeting when she saw them. “Hey, you both okay?”
“Yes, how is Commander Bryce?” Tegan asked.
“Much better, thank you, Elite Sentinel Tegan.” Kallie kept her eyes on the floor as she spoke to her.
“Just Tegan is fine,” Tegan corrected her. “Will your father be able to resume his role soon?”
“No, Tegan,” Sloane interrupted Kallie before she could answer. “You are not going in there to start talking defences.”
“I was not going to do that!” However, the blush on her face gave her away. “Can you shoot with a bow?” she asked Kallie.
“Of course I can.”
Tegan gave Sloane a sly smile. “Well, we are going to target practice, and you are more than welcome to join us.”
“You want me to train with you?” Kallie looked between the two of them with excitement.
“Yes.” Tegan nudged her cousin. “He thinks I am showing off and he does not need to know how to use the weapon.”
“It is more favoured in a female Akrhyn’s training,” Kallie confirmed.
Tegan threw her hands up as she walked between them. “These stupid rules are...stupid!” She opened her room door and glared back at them both. “You both have five minutes.” Her door slammed behind her.
“So...how is your cousin settling in?” Kallie asked with some amusement.
“She struggles with some of our traditions. Leonid taught her well, but I think she needed to have some friends as she grew up. Friends her own age.”
“I like her.” Kallie smiled as she looked at Tegan’s door. “She says what she thinks, and she isn’t shy about it.”
“Qualities I also share,” Sloane acknowledged.
“Yours are more playful.” Kallie tilted her head up as she turned to look at him and hastily looked away when she caught him staring at her.
“Playful?”
“Yes, you do it to lighten the mood in the room. Tegan does it because she does not know that she is blunt.”
“Huh.” Sloane looked at the petite Sentinel again. “I am pleased they fixed your ankle.”
“Oh, it was hardly a sprain. I was being weak.” She looked at him, suddenly uncomfortable. “Thank you for carrying me.”
“I should not have left you.” Sloane frowned.
“I was fine, no one was looking forme.”