"That was the intention," Reine said.
Mitch looked at her for a long moment.
"That's better strategy than anything I had," he said. Not generously — factually, the way Mitch delivered things he found true regardless of how they reflected on himself.
Reine received it without comment. But something in her posture changed — fractionally, the specific adjustment of a person who'd been waiting to find out if something they'd done was understood, finally understanding that it was.
Silo pushed off the wall. "I need a drink," he said, which from Silo was approximately equivalent to a standing ovation.
Ziko grinned.
Ryke crossed the room. He looked at Reine with the same direct honesty he used for everything.
"Thank you," he said. "For what it cost."
"Don't thank me yet," she said. "Edric'
