And a wonderful friendship begins
Grateful for Orinakin’s confidence in him, knowing how sincere it was, Bade kept Orinakin’s advice in mind as he followed the page through the imperial palace. He wondered if it was only his imagination that he could feel Setanoto’s symbol tingling on his back.
As soon as he stepped inside the room where he was to meet Xio Voe, he knew that it wasn’t the same room Orinakin had been in that afternoon. There was no desk, only comfortable furniture. A tiny fountain bubbled in one corner, and the room was bathed in golden light. It was a fairly austere room, but Bade liked it.
“Prince Bade.” Xio Voe entered as he turned.
“Heir Voe.” Shit. He always knew to expect it, but he was never fully prepared for how cuttingly handsome Xio Voe was.
“Thank you for meeting with me.”
........
“Tell me more about the Seven Siblings.”
Stymied, Bade took a moment to think about it, then laughed. “I don’t know where to begin. Which one would you like to hear about first?”
“The pharaoh.”
So he began with the pharaoh. He talked about Remin, about Orinakin, about Selorin. Desin, Anosanim, Talin. Rini. He was tired, and knew that it was incredibly late, but he missed Orinakin’s family, and he found new energy and enthusiasm in his topic. He was talking about Anikira when a bell rang. Curious, he asked, “What’s that?”
“The breakfast bell.”
Breakfast! “I’ve been rambling at you all night?!”
“Yes.” Xio Voe rose, tall and commanding. “Thank you for your time.”
