it was better than nothing. There were too many within the city who would not even consider that a’sankhii may require basic services that they all took for granted.
Focusing on the orb, he slid his hand over the activation plate for sending transmissions. A beam immediately struck his orb, and he automatically pulled the contact information for Vash to open a direct line. The projecting beam opened, and he was greeted with Vash’s sour countenance.
“Rhyst? What is the meaning of this?” the male rumbled.
“My apologies for disturbing you so early, but I have not heard any word regarding my inquiry on the human colony…”
“What of it? The world does not operate on your whims and timetable, Rhyst. I do not report to you. I report to the king only.”
“I am aware of this,” Rhyst ground out with forced patience, “but you must understand that my mate is rightly worried about her people—specifically those who helped her in aiding my escape. I inquire for her sake.”
“Your mate should be pleased that she is not imprisoned and consider her situation blessed. If I had my way, it would not have been so kind.”
Rhyst felt his fur rise as he glared at the elder. “Do you threaten my mate?”
A hard smile curled on Vash’s lips. “I do not need to threaten. I am only telling you what you should already know. As an a’sankhii elder, it is my duty and privilege to lead you as I have for solars, not for you to question me. Going against tradition has addled your mind. You have another ten diurnals left before you report for duty at the guard station. I suggest that you enjoy your time with your… mate,” he sneered.
“And the colony?”
“You are on guard detail for two lunars—not in scouting. That information is not pertinent to your assigned duties. I will see you in ten diurnals.”
Rhyst snarled in frustration as the transmission blinked off. He did not trust the male. He was known as a male who proudly overshared when it came to anything and everything that a’sankhii did, as if that proved his worth as an elder. Secrecy was not like him. His eyes narrowed suspiciously as the orb. What did he not want Rhyst to know?
“He isn’t going to tell us shit, is he?” Cha’lii asked quietly from behind him.
He sighed and attempted a smile for his mate as he turned to face her. “You are getting better at walking quietly. I did not even hear you, Cha’lii.”
She snorted out a laugh and gave him a look that he now recognized meant that she was not fooled with his attempt to distract her. “Don’t bullshit me, Rhyst. You heard me. More likely you just ignored it because you were too busy growling to yourself and glaring at Vash.” Her smile slipped. “We aren’t going to be able to do anything, are we?”
He thought back on what Vash said, and his jaw tightened.
“I will make an appointment to speak with Fa’suh’teln. If I express your concerns to him directly, he will see to it that we get the information, I think,” he said as he gathered his mate close. “I make certain you have something, one way or another.”
“Thank you, Rhyst,” she said as she pillowed her head against him. “What’s with the big wood box that’s working hard to be a tripping hazard?”
Rhyst pulled away and chuckled. “From Ag’hana. I suspect another project that she wishes help with… perhaps another festival. They all tend to run together for me.”
“Really?” Cha’lii danced over to it, her interest obviously piqued. “Well, come on, open it. I want to see what she left you.”
“You will be disappointed,” he warned.
“Don’t care. Open it!” she ordered cheerfully. “This is almost like Solstice back home when I was a kid.”
He paused and glanced over at her curiously.
“A festival that celebrated the longest night of the year. Lots of decorations and gifts wrapped in bright paper. Fun stuff. We didn’t have much, but we always did something. Now make with the opening.”
He gave her a fond smile and pulled open the crate, certain that she would grimace at the sight of the contents. Instead, she gasped, drawing his attention down to see what had caught her eye.
“Oh, Rhyst, this is all beautiful!” she exclaimed.
For a long moment, he could not speak. He just stared at the contents.
“Rhyst?”
He heard the note of concern in his Cha’lii’s voice, and it jerked him out of his stunned reverie. Still, he could