party forward to meet the newcomers at the curb. Most of the party were servants, to carry the luggage.
But Sula paid no attention either to Lord Chen and the servants. She looked instead at the tall beautiful black-haired woman who walked by her father’s side, her path a graceful glide despite the infant she carried in her arms.
Sudden bitterness stung her throat. Apparently the Chens had planned a little romantic surprise, not letting their son-in-law know that his wife and child had come to Zanshaa to meet him.
Of coursethe Fleet Control Board would return to Zanshaa as soon as it was safe—ahead of the Convocation, who had farther to travel.Of course the members would bring their families.Of course the new mother would want to show her husband their new child. It was foolish of her not to have anticipated it.
A domestic ambush. And from the secret little smile that Sula saw on Michi Chen’s face, it was clear the squadcom had been a part of the plot.
Sula’s eyes flashed to Martinez, who stood in complete astonishment, his big hands by his sides.
Terza Chen neared, her eyes glittering with profound, triumphant pleasure. Sula had never seen emotion so close to the surface of her face.
Sula could see Martinez only in profile, and she watched the rapid play of feeling that crossed his face, the shock and surprise, the dawning comprehension followed by the frantic sense that he had been trapped.
And then his eyes turned to the child, and they softened in growing wonder. His face began to glow with awe and adoration. He reached out a hand. Terza stepped close and kissed him on the cheek, but his eyes were still on the child.
Sula knew she had lost. She had created a map that Martinez would never follow.
She had rolled the dice, and lost.
She lowered herself back into the car and pressed the stud to roll the doors down. She touched the pad that would open a comm channel to the driver.
“Drive on,” she said.
