Nyrazha struggles to hide her shock at her father’s easy acceptance of the Minister’s suggestion and the offer of the use of the king’s nephew in return for her services.
She breaks accepted protocol just enough to say in Azgundi, “My pardon, Father. If I may interrupt? My apologies, gentlemen and Kae-ari, this is a private matter.” Bowing to her father, hands to heart, lips, forehead, then extended, Nyrazha says in Aquan, the only language she can be reasonably certain no one except the angel can understand, “I apologize for stepping out of bounds, Father. Why am I to be sent alone with these others? Particularly the king’s nephew? The angel I’m not so worried about.”
At Kae’ari’s suggestion that she leave Zephyra behind, Nyrazha confronts the angel. Her eyes turn to the color of a storm-tossed sea. She snaps, “I will NOT leave Zephyra behind. We have never been apart, and I will not consent to do so now.” Calming, Nyrazha says in a milder tone with a more subdued demeanor, “We can certainly be ready to leave within the hour.” What could frighten an angel so that she forgets common courtesy?
At Keefe’s outburst and dismissive glance her way, Nyrazha gazes directly at him. She lifts her brow high in question; a mocking smirk can be seen ever so slightly through her face veil. “So long as we are agreed that we don’t suit, there is little your uncle’s minister can do about it.” As if I’d accept him as husband in any case, handsome and king's nephew or not. Her eyes narrow slightly as she watches Keefe confront the Minister and young angel in his own way. What could he possibly offer us or our cause?