Page 109 of Warrior's Reign
“It was difficult for me as well, Arreina.”
“Arreina?”
He lifted one of her curls, slowly wound it around his finger. “You named me Eredan. Did you think I would not have a name for you as well?”
“Is it Yadeshi?”
Vykhan smiled, closing his eyes half way. “Arreina was one of the half-mortal daughters of Haeemah. The most troublesome one.”
“Of course.” Her voice was dry enough to light fire. “Wait—Lohail called me Ah’Reigna.” The same name she would bet, but with the Aeddannar inflection.
Irritation crossed his face. “It’s a play on words. He would have known it would annoy me.”
“Are you sure you two are over?”
“Over what?” Not a flicker of expression.
“Are we really going to play that game, Eredan? I know you two were lovers.”
“There are. . .many types of lovers. Many types of loves.”
“So you wouldn’t mind if I had him?” She smiled at Vykhan. “We haven’t had the monogamy talk.”
Still no change in his expression as he stared at her. “I know you want him, Reign. I don’t own you.”
She shook her head slowly. “What about Evvek? Or any other male who catches my eye?”
He released her hands and cupped her face. “Reign, I vow to never harm you. That vow does not extend to another male.”
The threat in his voice was delicious. He would be fun the next time they were on the sparring field. “Except Lohail.”
He paused. “Lohail. . .is difficult. Until he seduces you, it will be impossible for him to focus on the matter at hand. I. . .would not blame you. He’s also a child.” Annoyance in his voice.
“Why do I feel like I’m being drawn into some weird threesome vibe.”
Vykhan shook his head. “I will never share you while you are in my bed—which will be forever. My lenience with Lohail will expire soon.”
Reign sighed. “I guess this is proof enough that you still love him. I don’t expect you to give me one hundred percent of your heart, Vykhan, but—” she stopped, shook her head.
“Why wouldn’t you expect all of my heart, when it is already yours?” His gaze caught hers, held. “Arreina was also the most courageous. She was an explorer, and a warrior. Later she founded a great house and her descendants to this day—”
“Descendants? This is just a fairy tale, right?”
His eyebrows rose. “No, Reign. Haeemah is as real as you and I. You know this.” It was a gentle rebuke.
She shook her head. “Go on. Tell me the bedtime story.”
His hand drifted down to her thigh, and he pinched her. Reign yelped. “That hurt.”
“Be respectful,yadoana.As I was saying, Arreina’s descendants are a family known to this day for their wisdom and Silence. They have several branching lines as well.” He paused. “My family is one such. Ibukay’s is another.”
“You and Ibukay arecousins?”
He shook his head once. “The affinity is so many generations back, it is moot. But we have records.”
“I just love how nonchalant you are about being a descendant of a goddess and royalty.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Forget it. You were explaining to me why you’re such an asshole.”
She would have laughed at the look on his face if she wasn’t breaking apart into little pieces. He had known where she was all this time, right in front of him, and he had said nothing, done nothing. Even when he knew she needed him.
