Chapter Thirty-eight

“I…” Rose shook her head minutely, failing to swallow the lump in her throat. “I have no excuses. I was out of line.” She looked up, meeting Nizhoni’s hard gaze with a fixed and determined expression, her jaw tight and prominent. “Please tell him when he comes back I’d like to speak with him if he’ll allow it. It’s been a long day. Good night, dear.” She spoke quietly, in a dull kind of monotone Nizhoni had never heard Rose employ as a speech pattern. Rose smiled at Jaxsen, briefly patting his head before vanishing silently into her bedroom.

Jaxsen, who looked on puzzled, turned around and padded the rest of the way into the kitchen. He stopped at the threshold and frowned. Nizhoni sat at the table, her head in her hands, her face partially covered with splayed fingers.

“Zhoni?” He t