♛ ιnnocenт & вeauтιғul ♛

In a moment, Nyssa Samos changed entirely.

Away from most (though likely not all) prying eyes, she turned on her heel and transformed from a docile Elite lady into something dynamic. Silver into steel. In that moment alone she captured Rahul’s full attention, for how could they ignore so sudden a drastic a change? She needn’t have spoken at all for them to understand her message: this version of Nyssa, which they imagined was the real one underneath every veil of civility and cultivated grace, was ready to prove herself a force to be reckoned with.

How interesting it was, to see someone else remove their mask for a change.

They watched her as she spoke, their gaze never wavering until she had finished; then they spared a glance at the street around them. No one seemed to pay the pair any mind, but one could never be sure. “You must be more careful,” they said, voice idle as if she hadn’t just dropped every shocking thought she could muster in one breath. As if discussing the weather, or Silver gossip–anyone who listened in now might assume it was just that and nothing more. “Not too many of our fellows are sympathetic to such ideas. Most Reds will be wary of those of us who are.” 

They caught her gaze again, eyeing her with newfound intrigue plain on their face, and then like a gentleman at a ball (not a blood traitor fleeing a conflicted crowd) they offered her their elbow. “If you do not have any objections, we can take this conversation to the privacy of my atelier. It seems there is much on your mind that anyone with an eye for true intellect would be honored to have a chance to discuss with you.” The young Lady Samos just made herself much, much more interesting–and Rahul was not about to waste a prime opportunity to see what else she had hidden beneath her facade.

Their eyes never left her and she felt unnerved, waiting for them to speak, to react to her treasonous words. Their first words gave her hope that her instincts had been correct and that she could, perhaps, trust them.  Rahul was always so calm, it gave her chills but she listened intently as they spoke, slowly and deliberately.  She nodded at their words, they were right and she needed to calm down if she wanted to think through this properly. 

She met their eyes, surprised at the offer of an elbow but knowing Rahul had more to say and so she took their arm easily, letting them lead her wherever. “I’d be honored.” And she meant it, this was what she and Jacob had been searching for, not just a way in to the Guard but others that were sympathetic to the Reds.

It was all there, all bubbling at the surface, all those emotions he always fought to keep stamped down n the depths of his soul, only letting anger and bitterness escape rather than them all. But they all burned up the surface now. Anger. Fear. Bitterness. Worry. Hope. Desperation. They all churned in his mind and his heart until he could taste bile on his tongue. Whatever the king had done, whatever his intentions had been, something was coming and it was barreling toward them like a freight train.

They would be lucky to stop it though it seemed impossible.

Finding Nyssa so quickly was the only thing keeping him from going completely insane. There were Reds who were gifted. Once it could have meant something, could have meant a bartering chip for his people, but somehow the crown had discovered it before he had. Now he only had worry for his friends and a resentment for the fact that again, he was left powerless. He could do little to help them. And had been granted no abilities of his own to fight a battle with. Maybe if he had, he would have been something worthwhile, but instead he was left nothing, left relying completely on a woman he had only just met who had no more plan than he did.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s true or not,” he practically spat out. He wasn’t angry at her, but she was the one standing here in front of him, the one who had to face the typhoon raging inside him. “The people that he named, those are my friends. My family in everything but blood. And the Silvers who don’t like what they just heard–and you know there will be plenty of them–those so-called New Bloods will be the scapegoat for all of it. They’re in danger. They are all in danger and I’ve lost enough, I can’t just stand here and watch my friends die and I don’t care if that was Orion’s intent or not.”

He didn’t trust the king and he sure as hell didn’t trust the king’s counsel. He never had and after today he doubted that he ever would. He remembered how distraught, how broken and useless he had been after Aaron’s death. How would he be after Galen’s? Or Melody’s? Or Portia’s? He had to do something, he had to. Just standing there, just saying he would do something wasn’t good enough for him any more. “We aren’t any closer to the Guard. I’ve found a few possible leads, but come out and ask them now? After this, there won’t be anyone to trust, people will be more hungry for power and less likely to trust anyone than ever. Fuck!” He yelled out, slamming his fist into one of the ally walls. “Fuck, this is such a mess!”

Of course it mattered if it was true or not. If it was all a lie why would Orion put a target on every single Red, powers or not? That seemed counter to his ideals and desires. But Nyssa wasn’t concerned with what Orion wanted anymore, her anger felt like betrayal on so many levels, her heart began to break as she let herself think about it so she pushed it underneath her anger to compensate. 

She felt Jake’s anger roll over her in waves, feeding her own but she also knew she couldn’t let seeing red distract from what needed to be done. “I know, I know exactly what is going to happen to the Reds, the newbloods, the Silvers. This means war Jacob, I’m sure of it and I’m going to fight against my own blood because it is the right thing to do. I know you’re angry, and scared because I am too. I know the guard will be even more suspicious of me but they’ll want people like you even more and if you think they won’t be happily recruiting now---” She ran her fingers through her hair, frazzled but for once not plagued by shaking hands, she felt in control and buzzing with heat.

“No, no we can’t let that happen, they deserve peace and equality not death over something they can’t control. It’s time for Silvers to learn but not like this, this is just primed for violence. I’ve had enough of it. I’ve had some suspicions myself but now Jake, now I’m just going to walk up to whoever you think might be connected to the guard and ask point blank. I’m not afraid and we’re out of time.” She valued the truth so desperately and he always gave it to her, it was time she put everything at risk for him and his family and his friends because she was worthless otherwise.

“Jake, hey!” She took his shoulders after he punched the wall, cradling it with strength and care. “We can do this.” She was more than earnest as she looked him directly in the eye, all of her fire and determination channeled into him and hoping he felt it and hoping he would help her, give her his sources and suspicions. If she didn’t channel her own fire she’d choke on the smoke of her own rage.

Nyssa’s train of thought as it followed the tracks laid by Orion’s wedding announcement was so much a tangent to Rahul’s line that they almost looked at her with bewilderment. What a Silver thing to say. Rahul could not recall wondering how Calder and Adeline had found love together, nor even when it was that they realized what was between the two–but they were not the most adept at such aspects of life. Asking Calder Gliacon how he had fallen in love seemed like the most effective way to lose hours to a stilted, flowery, choked-up description of butterflies and sweaty palms and whatever other cliche one could imagine.

Still, they followed her on an unidentifiable whim, maybe just to escape the crowd for company they could better endure. “I am not sure an ending is the true worry,” they said after a moment of consideration. This was, after all, not exactly the beginning. Orion had already set himself apart as the vibrant newcomer king bent on changing everything about society; the Scarlet Guard had already moved forward toward rebellion, and the Silver Elite had always stubbornly held their ground. This had begun long before them.

“If nothing else, this will simply up the stakes. Newbloods pose a new and unanticipated threat to Silver power. They will likely be targets of extermination and recruitment in equal measure.” Rahul shrugged, something weary already settling into their chest. “Reds will face heightened suspicion and all the accompanying dangers. We will have our names tarnished by those among us who choose to be on the wrong side of history. I doubt we will see whatever end comes of any of this, Lady Samos.”

Thoughts of the wedding, and that part of the announcement, seemed to be nothing but a distraction and it angered her even further to think Orion would use his own sister’s happiness to draw eyes away from the revolutionary announcement he’d made. Once clear of a majority of the crowd, in a street not far away from the palace, she turned to face Rahul and her own stature had changed entirely. Nyssa knew how to put on an act, she had spent her life doing nothing but. Away from ears and eyes and in front of a person she was almost certain she could trust to either help or be apathetic she gave her true face and it was angry and afraid but not for the reasons one might think.

“Rahul, what he’s done is throw a match on an ocean of pitch. Orion just incited the beginnings of a war.” Her words could count for treason, punishment would easily and swiftly come for her if Rahul were to betray her confidence. “And while I was unaware of newbloods before this afternoon I certainly won’t stand by and watch Silvers harm them. Our society needs change, it needs want Orion wants but he isn’t doing it in a way that could keep all of his people safe. I don’t even care about Crownstrial anymore, helping the Reds, the newbloods---call me a traitor but I’m going to find a way to do something better.”

She was out of breath when she finally closed her mouth, a weight lifted now she’d said it out loud. If Rahul didn’t like her words, didn’t agree then she’d be in prison in hours but she truly had no concern for her own safety beyond not being able to do anything if she were locked up. Orion had ideals she agreed with but this wasn’t the way, this was going to end in bloodshed and war and she would make herself a soldier if needed.

     Nyssa looked even less pleased to see him than he felt seeing her. Not that he could blame her in the slightest. The skin healers seemed to have done a decent job with healing her, she was up and moving around without any assistance and it brought a sense of relief to Slate that he didn’t know he was looking for.

     She seemed alarmed by his demeanor and he was reminded that they didn’t particularly know each other before their battle. Sure they’d seen each other at various events, they were both from High Houses after all, but that was different. Nyssa wouldn’t know he was awkward with conversation a the best of times, let alone when he was trying to converse with someone he’d literally stabbed in the back not once but twice. It only put more pressure on him to handle this interaction with the kind of poise that would make his mother proud.

     Guilt creeped in, along with a particular kind of fear—she was a Samos after all, at the tremble of her voice. He began to wonder if maybe his assumption about the quality of her care had been misplaced. He had done this to her, and his own belief that it was what had to be done didn’t change the fact that he had made her suffer. He’d never thought himself to be an especially violent person, in fact quite the opposite, but what he’d done in the arena was violence nonetheless.

     “Is there anything I can do to help you?” He asked, letting the genuine concern he was feeling flood his voice when he normally would have kept himself reserved and impartial. “I’m not a skin healer, but I can fetch you something to eat or have someone draw you a bath? Anything you might need.”

Everything was shifting, but maybe that was the dizzy feeling, the nausea climbing its way up her chest like an animal caged. Hands still shaking she wrung them together, hoping she might disguise the growing feeling of ---was it anxiety? in the pit of her stomach. She’d not been able to put a name to her trembling hands and hummingbird heartbeat before, she’d perhaps not wanted to admit it. Anxiety flooded her system, and fear like she’d never experienced before she’d met Slate Blonos in a dirt arena for a cause she still believed in. She still believed in herself too and that mattered more to her than any victory. 

“You seem genuinely kind---now. But please forgive me Sir Blonos, after what just transpired between us you make me---uncomfortable. In time that might change but I---I’m sorry.” She was truly apologetic, maybe he was a good person but her experience was screaming at her to take a step back, away from him, and so she did. After Leira had come to rub it in, like the child she was, and had mentioned Slate being her good friend she trusted him even less, not at all in fact. But she wasn’t afraid of Leira, Slate was still a mystery to her, a violent mystery. 

“I’m just fine, thank you. If I could make it to my rooms my frie- the attendants would be there to assist me. I think a hot bath will do wonders the Skin healers cannot, they’ve done all they can.” She hoped she did not appear to be in pain, physically she really was perfect but the mind was so powerful, she felt delicate as she had played at before. But wasn’t she supposed to be made of steel?

“Are you---alright?” She was in fact curious how he was feeling after his victory, after he washed her blood off his hands, his face, changed his clothes. Maybe it was a selfish question but she couldn’t just stand there awkwardly until he left, he might not even realize she wanted him to leave more than anything.

Theo was shocked by the news for sure. He fought alongside reds on the battle field, he chatted with them as they wandered through the palace or during an event that the king allowed them to attend, and yet he never would’ve expected to hear that some of them have powers. When he heard that the king was going to make an announcement Theo expected to hear an update on crownstrial or a progression on the war that seemed to have no end in sight. If Theo had to make a list of what announcement Orion was going to make the news of newbloods would’ve been way far down on his list just because the thought seemed absurd. Reds with powers? It was unheard of. Silvers’ whole way of life was built on their powers and being viewed as gods by the red blooded citizens— even though Theo read all about the old gods and knew they had their own issues to deal with. 

Theo himself wasn’t going to do anything about the news. He didn’t fell angry that the reds could potentially be equal to the silvers. He didn’t feel threatened by their presence. He was more intrigued than anything else. What other powers did they have? His eyes had filled with wonder as he watched the girl go from one place to another in the blink of an eye. His jaw was open wide as he watched the boy hover above the ground. He was curious to see what the others could do.

He had to admit he had forgotten about the people surrounding him in the crowd until he heard two older, high up silvers bickering to each other about the king asking them to treat the reds as they treat their own. Sometimes Theo hated being around his own people. He didn’t understand why the thought of losing their servants was their biggest concern. Was it really so hard to do stuff by oneself? Maybe it was because he practically raised himself and had experience getting through life without much help from others, but he didn’t understand. He was feeling overwhelmed by the size of the crowd and somehow managed to break free from it only to find himself in an alleyway. He didn’t notice anyone near him at first until he heard Nyssa speak behind him. “Indeed. There’s definitely a lot of emotions going through that crowd.”

Theo Greco, the soft, sweet warrior she had barely interacted with before but knew enough about not to be afraid when he appeared in her refuge. He had those dark brown eyes she liked so much and the too long curls she wished someone would trim for him, if only to see his eyes a bit better. But he seemed unbothered, or perhaps he did seem uncomfortable and she was curious to know exactly why, as was her nature. “Anger, fear, resentment, that is what I detected and I believe I have particular skill in reading the emotions of others.” She responded, half looking at him but still entirely distracted by her own thoughts.

 “Imagine how hard it was for them to keep their gifts to themselves, to not use them, to be afraid they’d be discovered and then one fine day the King of Norta reads your name aloud and the entire Silver society suddenly knows and likely wants you dead. What was Orion thinking Theo, tell me you know?” She didn’t think she sounded desperate but she was, she was. And she wanted answers but not from the Reds who’d been outed, but from the King who thought it was his right to share something so deeply personal, likely without permission or warning. She’d seen some stricken faces, she’d watched the red blood drain from a few faces until they were as pale and translucent as she was. She knew this had not been welcomed by them all, even the siblings who demonstrated appeared perturbed. 

What had the king done? She was pretty sure he’d just put the beginnings of a civil war in place, and then he had the audacity to basically end Crownstrial at his whim. She was almost sure he’d simply chosen to pick the person he cared for most, to pick Emory and live a life of happiness with someone he truly loved. Nyssa would be happy for them but she had her doubts about their relationship from the beginning, though now did not seem the time to think of Crownstrial, Orion had snuck that bit in at the end of controversy. When had he become such a snake?

“What will they do now? The old Silvers with their traditional values? They will go after those innocent people. How can we allow this to happen?”

The news crashed down on him just as it was everyone else. There was so much new information to digest, to try to make sense of. He didn’t believe the king’s declaration of equality, not for a moment. Well intentioned or a backhanded trick of power, he wasn’t sure, but he did know that equality would not come so easily. It would not come with words, but with a fight he had been preparing to war over for the last several years. More than anything, there was a strict slice of worry he felt for all those he knew who had been named as having powers.

He couldn’t quite imagine that so many of those close to him, so many he considered friends, had abilities he did not know about. But what he could imagine was the backlash they were sure to face. The sudden move toward equality would put all Reds at risk, but those the king had named? They had targets on them, targets that could end with their blood spilled in the streets. Some, like Galen, could probably protect themselves, but others? Melody? Portia? They wouldn’t harm a fly if it meant to kill them, much less a human, a Silver with powers that had been trained and hone in feats and used for years. They didn’t stand a chance. He needed to protect them, needed to find a way to help them, needed more than ever to find the Scarlet Guard and add his name to their ranks.

Some luck would befall him though. As he made his way through the crowd, his shoulder bumped with Nyssa’s. Perhaps she saw him, perhaps not, but either way he followed her–a safe distance enough that no one would think anything of it but close enough she could not escape his sight. He curved into the ally way with her. He needed to talk to her talk to the one person he knew who might do something about this. “We need to talk,” he said, meeting her eyes, his steady fire as always burning in his eyes, “the people he name… He has no idea what he’s done. They’re all at risk. And the people he said- They’re good people. People who don’t deserve this–whether or not they really do have powers. They need protection.”

His sudden appearance was a blessing she was sure had been given to her, for some unknown reason, but she felt relieved at the sight of him and her heart rate dipped slightly as he approached, always with a purpose. It was one of the many things she admired not only about JAcob but the Reds in general, they did not waste time, everything was important, precious, wanted or needed. The Silvers were lazy and complacent, they did most things for entertainment value alone, they’d grown bored and gluttonous so long ago they saw it as commonplace and she had despised it since she was a child. How she had longed for PURPOSE and JAcob gave it to her, or at least a sense of it and she was grateful.

He spoke so fast sometimes it made her grin, this boy with a heart made of fire, his eyes burned like coal day and night and she wondered sometimes if he slept poorly from the heat of his own desire. Every time she saw him she longed to embrace him but always she respected his clear need for space, for something that was his own, that he made the rules for, his body was one. “Jacob--” She breathed his name, always like a prayer. “I don’t think the King would make up such a damaging story if it were not true. And haven’t you felt it, the stirring of something shifting? Ever since the bombing things haven’t made snese and this might be why!” She wasn’t excited or thrilled or pleased, she was still boiling with anger and fear.

“It’s hard to believe he’d behave so foolishly, or if someone on his advisory is pulling the strings, I’m not sure which thought is more terrifying. But Crownstrial too, is he going to simply end it after just this first round? Then nothing will have changed at all, it was just a brutal set of battles involving more than just the women, that is not change.” She felt her anger growing, burning her alive again and she wished to leap out of her own skin, but she couldn’t though the metal rain gutters nearby began to whimper as she clutched her hands into fists. “I don’t care anymore about treason or consequences, the King clearly doesn’t. He’s put those people in so much danger and his own life is more precarious than ever before, his reign. None of this makes any sense Jacob, but we can’t tiptoe now, we have to find the Guard, today.” She affirmed, tired of waiting, of grasping at smoke when she was a bonfire and Jacob was the gasoline.

But she could not spend time lamenting, she quickly scribbled down the names he’d said before she had to time to think about it too hard. The paper was tucked away within her dress just as quickly lest someone saw her do it. It became more imperative she find the Scarlet Guard, her naivety telling her she could help them. Where was Jacob in this crowd? And if Orion could out them all did she have to be so secretive in her pursuit of the Guard? Was Orion himself perhaps involved?

Overwhelmed would have been an understatement now, she felt her blood begin to grow hot, fear and exhaustion being replaced by anger but with who she wasn’t sure. Orion, yes but not just him. And what would this mean for Crownstrial? Would the rest of the tasks be forgone, had Orion simply thrown out all the hard work of them all and chosen who he wanted outside of the competition he himself had implemented? It felt wrong, though she wanted his happiness, to take that from them all. Anger, yes, it boiled to the surface but she kept it inside her pursed lips as she was knocked into by the crowd. Seeking some quiet she ducked into the nearest alleyway and gulped in fresh air to calm her aching lungs. “What a mess.” She whispered aloud.

Valeria smiled back at Nyssa although hers was not as serene as Nyssa’a. Not by a long shot. Perhaps Valeria should have taken the cue and walked off, God knew there were other (better) people for her to be talking to. She’d had friends in high school, and she could see at least three of them within a short walking distance. But she chose to stay. Probably not the best course of action, but Valeria had never been one to let herself take the easy road. Not these days anyways. “Only the guilty opt to change the subject.” 

She laughed, in spite of herself she laughed. She was truly appalled by the accusation but more tickled that someone would pursue her so heavily when she’d made it quite clear she was uncomfortable and would not rise to the threat or accusation. “I’m not sure if your intelligence is lacking here or you simply have zero sense of decorum but I am finished engaging with you, entirely. It isn’t a subject change and I feel zero guilt at your your insult which lacks all merit. Now, let me be very clear. I am done speaking with you, goodnight.”

“A critic? Hmmm. Maybe. But I like to think I’ve got a pretty open mind.” She shrugged and took another drink, relishing in the burn as it went down. Nothing like it. “I just like to get my news from sources who have a little decorum.” She shrugged again and shook her hair out of her face. “Just because you heard a rumor doesn’t make it true.” To be honest Valeria wasn’t sure how or why the woman hadn’t gotten so popular. If you asked her the woman’s reports were founded on so little actual fact. She’d be lying though if she said the woman didn’t have a nose for things. She’d reported on numerous things Valeria’s time in the FBI on things she’d have rather kept swept under the rug for a while longer. So much damage control. 

She graced her lips with a smile, dripping with venom she held back if only because she refused to cause a scene here, or anywhere for that matter. Nyssa was many things but a liar, a fearmongerer, a mudslinger she was not. Her sources were always triple checked before she said anything publicly or on air and she fact checked every single word and source and article that she came across. Half her information came straight from the white house, both officially and unofficially and she hadn’t gotten a degree in politics to be called a glorified gossip girl. “This conversation is over.” She replied simply, she would not give someone like this the time of day, not with accusations like that being tossed so callously.

Valeria wasn’t the least bit surprised the blonde didn’t recognize her. It’s not like her job offered her a great deal of time in the spotlight. Which was exactly how Valeria preferred it, if she was being honest. And it felt nice to see the confusion on the woman’s face, even if it all it did was make her a little angrier. Waving her hand dismissively Valeria grabbed her drink and took a swig of it before replying to her. “You’re that reporter woman aren’t you? Can’t say I like your style.” Another dismissive flip of her hand.

Nyssa was good at reading people and while she couldn’t place the girl, her name or her profession she could at least tell she had enjoyed seeing Nyssa offended and confused. Not the sort of person she’d normally interact with but she did it all the time at work, why not here too? “Reporter woman, sure.” She didn’t need the rise in blood pressure getting offended by the dismissal would give her and chose to enjoy her own drink and say as few words as possible to encourage the woman to move on. “Everyone’s a critic.” she joked, but she’d heard plenty of insults before.

Jacob had never thought much of Nyssa in high school. In fact, he had thought very little of her. He never really said it out loud to anyone (but then his anonymous gossip column was never particularly nice to her either). But after graduation she had proven him very wrong. Of anyone they graduated with, he thought perhaps she had done the best for herself even if others disagreed. They had become something resembling friends, meeting for coffee or dinner when they were both in the same city, exchanging ideas and opinions on everything from politics to books. She was more interesting than he had ever given her credit for. He grinned when he saw her at the reunion, knowing that even if worst came to worst at least he’d have someone around he could handle talking to. “And hello to you,” he smirked, a glass of scotch in his hand, “how goes things in Washington?” He paused for a second. “Just drinking soda? Something we need to talk about then?”

Jacob was a breath of fresh air in a room that felt almost hostile and certainly tense but she couldn’t imagine why. Everyone had moved forward, had made something of themselves, had done well so what was their to be afraid of? She remembered that when they were in school she and Jake had never interacted but somehow they connected after and she counted him as one of her dearest friends, and certainly the most honest. His opinions were well informed and daring and she appreciated his candor. “that’s classified” she laughed at her little joke, clinking the ice in her glass “Umm, definitely not. Two is quite the handful. I just don’t want to be trashed at this sort of event.”

Seeing so many old classmates in one room brought back some memories for Theo— both good and bad. He kind of found himself wandering around the area, catching glimpses of people’s conversations, and it made him sad to realize just how much they all have changed. It felt like yesterday he was working on the latest school play and sleeping in math class. Now, he’s in one of the plays he dreamt of doing as a teen. The math part hadn’t change— he still finds himself drifting off when too many numbers come into view. He was holding a flute of champagne when she spotted Nyssa. A smile grew on his lips as he wandered over to her. “Soda. Smart choice. A few more of these flutes and i’ll be wishing I opted for that option.” He joked lightly, knowing he should’ve probably stuck with water like he usually did. “How have you been?”

She glanced at the glass and practically beamed sunshine on one Theo Greco. “I felt my head grow fuzzy after one, figured I’d take it slow tonight. Theo Greco as I live and breathe.” She went in for a hug, a flood of fondness rushing through her. Theo had become the most famous man on broadway and she’d seen several of the shows he’d starred in. “I’ve been, actually, really good. Life is sort of, call me a cliche, perfect right now. But you, you’re a star, can I have your autograph?” she teased, but she’d take the autograph anyway, Calista would enjoy it too, she loved the theater more than Nyssa. “And your dog, almost more famous than you I hear.”

She’d just hung up the phone for the third time that night, suddenly exhausted. Even away from her desk and she was still working. Her mother called her a workaholic, Valeria just said evil never sleeps. For a moment, as she looked at the brightly lit screen of her phone, she considered turning it off. She’d left her business in capable hands. They could spend one night without her. But just the thought of it made her skin crawl. She opted for setting it on vibrate, more so that the people around her would glare at her if it went off again. Walking towards the bar she ordered a drink and smiled at the woman next to her, almost instant recognition. “Hello. How’s the White House been treating you? Any little ‘false nuggets of truth’ I should know about before I read the headlines tomorrow morning?”

She didn’t recognize the brunette immediately but the acidic nature of the words brought her to a sudden halt. The accusation was uncalled for in the extreme and she could not guess what she’d said or done to so deftly offend the girl who was a stranger to her, most likely then and now. Anger flashed through her cheeks, embarrassment, and then true confusion. “I’m sorry, but what is it you mean by that?” She tried to keep her voice level but she was not here for confrontation, as unexpected as this was in particular. However, Nyssa had always been a stand your ground type of girl and she knew she’d done nothing wrong in this case.