Voice of Reason

LERRIN

The moon was high by the time he ushered the last of the Security Council out of the tent and past the guards. When he turned, Suhle was already clearing the chairs and dishes, returning order to the tent, and removing the trash so it wouldn't cause the tent to smell.

She also wasn't looking at him.

Teeth clenched, Lerrin stalked over to help her with the chairs that would be stacked against the wall until they were needed again.

"I am fine to do this, Lerrin, you need to rest. You should prepare for bed," she said, picking up the cushion she had placed on his chair and placing it on the end of his bed. All without looking at him.

"I want to help," he said stiffly, reaching for a chair beside her just as she reached for it too.

Their eyes met over the back of it and her lips thinned.

Lerrin wanted to growl. "Don't look at me like that."

"I should not look at you?"