"Nishani-- "
"I want to! I'm supposed to be here!"
He gazed at her, shifting to lean forward, the only sign of his unease. She braced herself for a refusal and a fight. He took her in for a long moment before caving.
"Mansr needs the help."
"You'll let me stay?" Surprised, she met his dark gaze.
"Not too long, and only until the space war is calm enough for me to evacuate you," he said firmly.
"I don't want to disappoint you," she said slowly. "It's my fault Ne'Rin lost his faith in you."
"That has nothing to do with you, nishani. Do not apologize for another's betrayal."
She wondered if he felt hurt at his best friend's betrayal but didn't have the nerve to ask. He appeared hard and strong as usual. There was no sign Ne'Rin's betrayal affected him at all.
"I must go, nishani. Are you well enough to battle plan?"
She nodded.
"Have Mansr show you to the command center. The ground battle is yours."
Her breath caught at his words. Thrilled, she realized he'd just granted her something he'd never given anyone else: the position as his equal.
"Thank you," she said in a hushed voice. "Will I see you soon?"
"As soon as I can arrange it. You'll see how difficult our position," he replied. "Send in Mansr."
"Be careful, A'Ran."
"And you, nishani. Mansr and Leyon will take care of you."
"I don't-- "
"Hush, woman," he said. "Go."
She rolled her eyes at him again, and he offered another faint smile before she left. She joined Leyon outside in the hot morning and waited for Mansr.
"Is everyone from your planet like you?" Leyon asked, his gaze intent.
"For the most part," she replied.
"You have no men on your planet."
"We do!"
He shook his head. Mansr returned and motioned for her to follow him. He led her through the small encampment toward the mountain and up a smooth walkway to the flattened peak of one ridge. In the center was a massive console surrounded by a circular bench beneath the shade of a ledge. Several warriors loitered near the console. Mansr activated the audio communications.
"You'll be able to communicate with me as required." A'Ran's low voice came to her through the unseen speaker.
She approached the console, circling it once as she took in the different symbols. She touched her palm to the activation key, and the ground battle hologram sprung up before her. It whirled slowly.