Jainan pulled his hands back, now not sure what to do with them. In the end he let them hang at his sides. “It’s good to see you.” The minute the words were out of his mouth, they sounded flat.

Taam’s eyes narrowed, half in jest. “Rehearse that, did you?”

Jainan shut his mouth. That didn’t deserve an answer. But Taam was in a good mood, and Jainan wanted to keep him that way for as long as possible.

“Did your trip go well?” The aide was already carrying Taam’s suitcase. Jainan tried to ease Taam’s personal effects bag off his shoulder.

“Don’t grab,” Taam said, freeing it and pushing it at Jainan. “It was fine.

Bloody Theans obstreperous as usual, but we got around them. The drilling starts next month.”

There was a short silence. Jainan settled the bag on his shoulder and turned toward the palace.

“Well?” Taam said from behind him. “That’s it? A month away and you can’t even pretend interest?”

When I ask questions you tell me not to pry, Jainan thought but bit his tongue.

He turned back. “Sorry,” he said into the continued silence. Taam hadn’t moved,

standing by the drive as the flyer left. “I’m sorry. Who did you meet with?”

Taam gave him another stare, this one of disbelief, and burst into sudden movement to walk past him. “Never mind. Nelen!”

“Sir!”

“What appointments do I have tomorrow?”

Taam’s aide kept up with them as he carefully consulted his wristband, falling into step with Taam, while Jainan’s footsteps echoed out of time on the marble.

“Sir, tomorrow you have a debriefing with General Fenrik at ten, physical training at twelve, then you are free until the Thean embassy reception at six.”

“More damned Theans?” Taam said. “Why have I got more Theans in my calendar? I’ve only just got away from them.” It was a joke, because he was in a good mood, but that mood seemed to be fraying fast.

“This was put in your calendar by your partner, sir,” the aide said, with an expressionless glance at Jainan. He barely ever named him. Taam was unpredictably annoyed if Jainan’s Thean title was used in private, but also if his subordinates used Jainan’s first name.

Jainan retreated into a statement of fact. “The Ambassador requested our presence, Taam.” He could explain further, but it seemed like wasted effort when he knew it was unlikely to help.

“So he could whinge at me about the Imperial soldiers throwing their weight around in Thean space?” Taam’s voice went high and nasal on the last part. He sounded nothing like the Ambassador. “Heaven, give me some peace here. I’m not going. Neither are you.”

“But—” Jainan said.

“Give it a rest, Jainan.” Taam turned the corner to their rooms abruptly.

“Anything else?”