Ruth ignored Mike’s amused look when they finally made it down to the sitting room almost an hour late. Ashure turned and gave her a wry smile. Koorgan had directed Gant to release Ashure from the tower while she was getting dressed for the second time that evening.
“Lady Ruth, it is a pleasure to see that you are once again yourself, though I’m sure you would have been a delightful sight in your other form as well,” Ashure commented.
“Brandy, Ashure?” Koorgan inquired.
“That would be nice,” Ashure replied.
“It should be – it came from your ship,” Gant informed him.
A pained expression crossed Ashure’s face. “You do know that stash was for the Empress, don’t you? Nali is not going to be happy if I don’t have a goodwill gesture for her,” he complained aloud, but still took the glass of
