3. Smile #3
Cara waved away the compliment. “I haven’t seen you around before. What’s your name?”
Alarm flared through Haera at the question, but it was not because she was sensing anything underhanded about Cara. Dealing in information in Nhamashel was always fraught. But this could be just a friendly conversation. Or not. She’d find out.
“I haven’t been here long. My name is Haera,” she answered.
Cara nodded and, clearly, she was filing away that information. “We don’t have as many Aravae as our customers as other species. So I’m always curious about a new face.”
“It is always best to know who is in your establishment,” Haera agreed as she took another greedy sip of coffee. She was soon going to be out so she had to ration herself.
Damn Rhalyf. He must have stolen the money back from me. Otherwise I would have been able to get at least one more cup!
“What House are you a part of?” Cara asked.
Haera internally grimaced. There was a fork in the road. She could be honest that she was Lord Rhalyf Neres’ sister. Well, it wasn’t honest, but it was as honest as she could be. Or lie.
If we intend to come back here, a lie would be unwise. But I have no idea what my brother’s reputation is among the humans. Guess, I will find out.
“Neres,” she answered. “You might know my brother. He is Lord Rhalyf Neres.”
Cara’s eyebrows rose. “The Sun King’s best friend?”
Haera flashed a smile. “That’s the one.”
“I’ve heard he’s quite charming,” Cara said.
Haera found herself studying Cara’s features to see if there was a hint of interest for Rhalyf there. She didn’t think so. Not that it would have been bad if there were. She and Rhalyf had exchanged many lovers in the past.
“He is, but don’t hold that against him,” Haera flashed a smile that would have rivaled one of her brother’s. “We Neres just love people. All sorts of people.”
A faint flush rose up on Cara’s cheeks. “I’ve never had the pleasure of speaking with him. Just heard of him. So are you moving to Earth? Will the Neres be claiming land as well?”
Her hands had stilled around her mug. This was the question that she really wanted the answer to. But a cup of coffee–no matter how delicious–was not worth such information.
“I cannot say. I have just arrived and hardly had a chance to speak to my brother about everyday things let alone our House’s plans,” she answered lightly. “And what of you? Do you live in Hope? Who is your… family?”
“Oh! You don’t know?” Cara blinked. “I’m… I’m Cara Rohannan.”
The Separatist Leader’s daughter! Fascinating! No wonder she wanted to know what our plans were about settling.
“Rohannan? Ro… oh! Your family founded Hope, yes?” Haera asked.
Another nod. “We did it with a few families. It’s grown.”
“It most certainly has! Are there other settlements like Hope?” Haera asked.
Information for information.
But this time her question was met with a shake of her head. “No, none that we are aware of. Most humans live under the domes in the Aravae cities. But that just means that more people come to Hope every day!”
And with its lack of infrastructure that must be challenging, Haera thought. One Leviathan raid and this place would be all but destroyed.
“That must be exciting,” Haera said neutrally.
The Kindreth had lost their home long ago. They had nearly been wiped out in the Under Dark. Absent Vex making them abandon their long held beliefs and traditions, they would have been. At least that’s the tale that was told. But her mother’s words haunted her.
“Humans and human culture have a lot to offer.” Cara lifted her chin proudly.
Haera tapped her mug. “You don’t have to convince me any further. Drink of the gods.”
Cara laughed delightedly. Haera found herself truly smiling again.
That laughter was infectious. It was then that they started talking about inconsequential things.
Where the good shops were. Cutest clothes could be found on North street.
What foods they liked best. The bakery with light as air angel food cakes was just around the corner.
Where Cara sourced her coffee beans. Now that was a secret.
It was an easy conversation. One the likes of which Haera had not had in…
well, she couldn’t remember. But there was plenty of laughter and Cara even brought her a second mug of coffee on the house.
Haera was smiling so hard that her cheeks hurt by the end of it.
“Do you know about the barbeque and music festival tonight?” Cara asked.
“Oh, no, I didn’t,” Haera said, her interest perking up at the thought of human music. What could that possibly be like? And if human food were as good as human drinks then she was certainly in for a treat!
“You must come! It’s going to be so much fun and–”
“Who is your friend, Cara?” A female Aravae voice rose up, arch and crisp, behind Haera. There was a note of possessiveness in it, too.
“Oh, Elasha!” Cara beamed and jumped up from her seat. “You’re finally here!”
Elasha? Lady Elasha Fairlynn. Aquilan’s niece. Ah, things are about to get interesting.