Page 103 of Warrior's Reign
Lohail’s smile was exquisitely disdainful. His eyes hardened. “I am Aeddannar. We hold the oaths given us—we don’t release what is rightfully ours.”
“I broke no oath. ”
Green eyes flashed. “We disagree. But come, this is not a discussion to be had in my public halls. Allow me to show you to your suite.” He smirked. “In truth, this time.”
“Take me to Reign.”
“You don’t rule here any longer, Vykhan.” Lohail reached out, his long fingers reaching for Vykhan’s face. Vykhan grabbed him, applied just enough pressure.
“Do not,” he said softly. “I no longer belong to you.”
Lohail lowered his arm slowly, stared at him unblinkingly for a moment, then turned and walked away. Vykhan followed, a fresh squad of red clad guards forming around them, their steps in perfect syncopation.
He would bide his time. Lohail would bring Reign out eventually—that was part of the game. If Vykhan insisted and Lohail chose to take insult, then matters could become difficult. Lohail loathed sharing attention. Vykhan recalled the tiresomeness of that trait. Reign required no coddling, though perhaps she took her independence a little too far.
They stopped in front of a curved archway, the metallic doors engraved with the nature art of the Aeddannar people. Guards also in red silk, but with faces covered in black masks, flanked either side.
As they approached, the guards snapped to attention then offered flourished bows, rising only when bid.
Vykhan watched impassively. “I see your penchant for theatrics hasn’t decreased over the years.”
“Style, my dear. Anything worth doing, is worth doing with style. Why be bored?” Lohail gestured, and the doors opened, a riot of music, color and decadent scent spilling out.
The Lord of Anthhori stepped aside and pointed. “Welcome, Vykhan. Welcome home. There is your female, unharmed.”
36
Her mind blankedas the Yadeshi predator glided forward, dark hair flowing over broad shoulders. The blood red silk shirt, oddly enough, didn’t look ridiculous against his blue skin—it should have made him look like a blueberry. It definitely made a statement, she just didn’t know who the statement was for.
She couldn’t tear her stare off the cruel, sensual face of the male as he stalked closer, the slashing cheekbones and heavily lined eyes. Her stomach muscles tensed—this was exactly what she didn’t want. Attention. But. . .
“Vykhan?”
What in the actual fuck?
Reign grit her teeth to keep her mouth closed, mustering a kernel of internal calm and smoothing her expression. She hadn’t trained all those years with Numar and Eredan for nothing. She might not be Silent, but she would not let something as simple as seeing a man dressed up throw her completely off balance.
He exuded a sensual promise that if chosen, you wouldn’t walk away unscathed.
She blinked rapidly, reorienting herself. . .and mostly failing.
“Reign.”
Haeemah’s Mercy, but his voice reminded her of being fucked on a fur rug in front of a scorching fire. Or blindfolded on a silk-covered bed, hands bound and ass in the air for her master’s pleasure. He rolled her name around his tongue as if he were saying something dirty.
Reign nearly recoiled, shocked at the sudden, vicious warmth between her thighs.
Vykhan smiled at her, a slight knowing quirk of lips. His gaze zeroed in as she inched backward on the couch. He closed the distance between them and looked down. Even standing above her, his hair was long enough to brush her thighs. She hadn’t known it was that long—how much time did he spend every day braiding and looping it to make it seem shorter? Shouldn’t she know these things about her own damn betrothed?
Whose body did he intend to cover in that fall of silk tonight?
Reign blinked again and glanced at Lohail as he stepped on the dais, expression inscrutable. Despite that, she had a sense he was displeased. The set of his shoulders, maybe. They stood before her like any red blooded woman’s wet dream. Dark and silver. Lethal and seductive.
“Reign, we have a guest,” Lohail said. “I see you’ve made yourself comfortable.” His eyes roved over her body. “I approve of your choice. I don’t think there is a more striking female here tonight.” He smiled, and if Vykhan’s hinted at sensual cruelty, Lohail didn’t bother with hints at all.
Reign stiffened. Two predators stared down at her like she was a whole snack, and she didn’t know why she seemed to be the toy they were debating sharing. She sat up straight, strapping some steel onto her spine. “I’m not on your tasting menu, Lohail. . .First Vykhan. IsBdakhunIbukay well?”
Vykhan tilted his head, gaze roving over her body, and completely ignoring her question.
