“Not I. Nykyrian Quiakides.”

“Ahhhh.” The assassin returned to his cold demeanor. “That explains a lot, actually.”

Maris indicated Zarya with his glass. “Zarya, allow me to introduce you to Deputy Agent Safir Jari.”

The assassin stiffened. “Chief agent, actually.”

“Oh Saf, I’m so sorry.” Maris finally relaxed into the man she knew and loved. “I so did not do that as an intentional slap to you.” He gestured to the embroidery on Safir’s sleeve. “I never could keep the League ranks straight.”

Safir smiled. “I know, Mari. Dad used to get so mad at you whenever you’d screw them up.”

Zarya had to catch herself to keep from gaping at the unexpected disclosure. This was one of Maris’s many brothers?

Really? Other than the black hair, they didn’t really favor. Except they were both exceedingly handsome.

Maris swallowed as a dark shadow clouded his gaze. “I take it he still won’t speak my name.”

Safir’s face mirrored Maris’s pain. “Mom, either.”

Maris glanced around the room uneasily. “You should go before someone photographs you speaking to me and sends it to them. I don’t want you to have to deal with that.”

Safir bowed respectfully to him. “Before I go, I should warn you that Kyr will be here tonight.”

A tic started in Maris’s jaw. “Why?”

“League High Command wants to hear what Darling has to say. It’s why I’m here, too.”

“Are they going to make an attempt on his life?” That would be the natural assumption.

Safir made a subtle gesture she assumed was a Phrixian sign of trust. “I wasn’t given those orders, and to my knowledge no one else was either. We’re simply here to observe. Nothing more.” He paused next to Maris and placed his hand on Maris’s shoulder before he leaned in to whisper something in his ear.

Zarya frowned as Maris responded in an equally low tone.

Stepping back, Safir offered her a stiff, formal bow. “It was an honor meeting you, my lady.”

“You as well.” She curtsied to him.

Once he was gone, she lifted a brow at Maris. “One of your many brothers, I presume.”

Maris nodded. “My youngest. He’s also the only one of them who will still talk to me… when he can.”

It saddened her to hear that, especially since it was obvious that Safir loved his older brother. How tragic for their parents’ prejudice to divide them so. But it wasn’t her place to judge. She refused to be like others and hate someone when she didn’t know what demons drove them to their beliefs.

She watched as Safir was hailed over to a group of gerents who greeted him warmly.

While she watched them, she reviewed their conversation. “When he said ‘Kyr,’ did he mean Kyr Zemen, the prime commander of the League?”

Maris drained his glass in a way that was more akin to his military training than to the fastidious man she knew him to be. “One and the same. Unfortunately. Bloody damn wanker bastard.”