Ruaan watched the door close behind Harolin.
He waited three full seconds.
Then — "Yes!"
He jumped, one fist in the air, alone in the middle of the training room like an idiot, and he didn't care even slightly.
He dropped onto the bench near the door and leaned back, staring at the ceiling with a grin he wasn't trying to control.
Okay.
He had a deal with Harolin. Cullen couldn't touch him as long as Harolin was involved. That was the important part.
The grin faded slightly.
That was the 'only' part Harolin had agreed to. Keeping Cullen away. Nothing about ranking up. Nothing about the Thursday games. Harolin would still sabotage him every chance he got, because that was just who Harolin was and what this whole thing was about.
So he had protection from Cullen.
And an enemy who would still try to destroy him every other way.
Ruaan rubbed his face.
'Fine,' he thought. 'I'll take it.'
The dinner bell rang through the facility.
