* * * *
The rest of the evening was uneventful, but both felt they had made some gains in re-establishing the networks loyal and supportive to the Admiral. He reported as much to Marshall Sliss before retiring for the evening.
As an aside, he asked the Marshall to dig up what he could on Nayllen Hooss. At the mention of Nayllen, the Marshall had raised eyebrows, but dutifully jotted the name on his pad before heading off to assign resources to it.
Tyler prepared for bed but desperately wanted to join Toosia in hers. They had a wonderful evening despite the nature of the event, and Tyler felt certain she had enjoyed dancing with him. Nonetheless, he held back. He didn’t want to spoil it now.
He undressed, noticing the slip of paper in his pocket from Greelen. He pulled it out to toss it away, but as he removed it, he noticed a second slip of paper tucked inside it. He opened both to see what else she had given him. The outer paper contained her name, address, and contact number, but the inner paper was type written in small letters.
He opened it up all the way to read from the beginning:
My apologies for the subterfuge, but one cannot be too careful these days, especially at an event within the Palace. I was glad to finally meet you in person as I have followed your career with great interest over the years. Unfortunately, your place in history is about to take a turn for the worse unless you take immediate action. I know what you are trying to do in Yooso, and I have important information that will help you, or hurt you, depending on how you use it. Please meet me at the Grand Anoor Casino tomorrow night, but don’t make it obvious. Ask Greelen to take you there, she would be more than delighted I’m sure. However, bring your wife with you to eliminate any improprieties. Your future depends on this - please do not miss this opportunity to rejoin the game. I will contact you when you are in the casino, tell no one, especially the Marshall!
NH
Tyler wasn’t sure what to make of it. He recognized NH as having to be Nayllen Hooss, but they had just met at the ball. Tyler couldn’t figure out how Nayllen had got the note into Tyler’s pocket, they had only shook hands briefly. Perhaps it had been handed to him by Greelen, but that would put her in league with the man.
All of it was suspicious, and the fact Nayllen worked closely with the Palace made it even more so. If the Regent’s niece was involved, that made it worse. Tyler knew where her loyalties lay. Tyler didn’t trust him and felt vulnerable he knew more about the Admiral than Tyler knew about him. He hoped Marshall Sliss would change that.
He slipped the papers into his brief and put nightclothes on. He finished his ablutions, heading to bed worried about what new things tomorrow would bring. He felt like a fish out of water. Even the Admiral’s memories didn’t help since he’d always avoided Poolto politics. It would cost him now—or rather, it would cost Tyler.
He slid into bed and turned off the lights, staring at the ceiling as he thought about Nayllen. Suddenly, there was movement at his door, and a slender silhouette entered the room. She wore nothing but a light, silky gown, and Tyler could make out curves beneath it in the pale light.
“Nayllen,” she asked, “are you asleep yet?”
Tyler’s heart jumped, “No, I’m just thinking about the evening. What’s wrong?”
She held the door, apparently uncertain of what she intended. Tyler waited patiently.
“Nothing is wrong,” she began, “I just wanted to tell you that I had a wonderful evening, and that I am glad we are together.” She paused but held tightly to the door. “I want this to work, Nayllen. I want us to be a family again.”
He heard a strain in her voice. Like before, he sensed strong feelings for the Admiral, but she still stung from the betrayals in his past. He felt guilty that he was only a reflection of the Admiral—an impostor. But he couldn’t prevent that, whether from his own loss or from the strength of the Admiral’s memories, he loved Toosia and wanted their relationship to work.
“I know,” he said gently, “I also want us to be a family.”
Watching her silhouette, he wanted to pull her into bed, hold her in his arms, and make gentle love to her. Unfortunately, he would have to wait for her to make the move.
“I’m glad, Nayllen … I really am.”
He watched as she fidgeted in the doorway, obviously confused. Finally, she stood straight and began backing out the door.
“Goodnight, Nayllen, I love you.” She said as she turned to walk back to her quarters.
Tyler watched her go with regrets. “Goodnight, Toosia, I love you, too.”
He laid awake for most of the night, while his thoughts turned from Nayllen to Toosia over and over again. Toosia clearly loved the Admiral, but would she ever share that love physically? Tyler wasn’t certain, but he was willing to wait.