The Sixth Discipline
Page 51
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Nisa turned back and forth in front of the big mirror in Stefan’s bedroom, viewing herself from different angles. Stefan stepped close behind her to slide his arms around her waist and look over her shoulder at her reflection. “You look fabulous. If I weren’t the host, I’d say the hell with this party.”
Nisa chuckled, leaning back against him. “Does that mean you’re ready to let everyone know about you and me?”
“No,” Stefan said at once, unnerved that she was still making this request. “I don’t want anyone to know, Nisa, and you know why.”
Nisa turned in his arms and put both hands behind his neck. “It’s foolish, Stefan. You’re treating me as if I were a child. I can take care of myself.”
Hoping to avoid an argument, Stefan tried for a light tone. “That’s what Ran-Del told Francesca, and he fell into the Jordan.”
“He survived. So would I.”
He stared into her eyes. Amazing that he had found this feeling twice in one lifetime. He remembered the day he had hired her away from the Quaiffe-Pringle cartel; she had seemed competent but prim. “I can’t do anything that makes it less likely, Nisa. I just can’t.”
Nisa hugged him tightly. “All right, Stefan. We’ll do it your way for now.”
Stefan hugged her back and then pulled away. “Go and make your entrance from your own room, sweetheart. You know the way.”
Nisa smiled as she slid her hand along the track behind the mirror to find the lock. “You Haydens and your secret passages. You’re like children, sometimes, you and Francesca both.”
Stefan smiled as he held the mirror door open for her. No sense worrying her with Quaiffe-Pringle’s latest offer.