Page 126 of Warrior's Reign
Reign started to push off his lap, incensed, but he held fast. She stiffened, glaring.
Lohail made a derisive noise. “The honeymoon phase didn’t last long.”
“I thought you considered this foreplay,” Reign snapped, voice unsteady, but his attention was already focused on a person who approached.
“I won’t lock you in again,” Vykhan said, words pitched low.
Was that supposed to soothe her ego when he held her so easily under his control in full view of people whose asses she might have to kick one day? She turned her head away, frowning, and watched Lohail’s murmured conversation.
The Aeddannar glanced at her. “I hate to interrupt, but we must attend to business.”
Reign straightened and slid off Vykhan’s lap, pushing aside resentment that it was because helether. “Adevega is here.”
Lohail rose, eyes hard, for once nothing mocking or insinuating in his expression. She was looking at the warrior, the lord under the insouciant mask. “She’s left the planet. Come. My people are already prepared to extend her an eager welcome.”
* * *
Lohail said something to Vykhan, and her mate touched her shoulder. “Weapons and armor are in my quarters.” They peeled away from Lohail and his guards.
“She can’t leave us alive,” Reign said grimly, her ire forgotten. They strode in sync and anyone they encountered in the corridors quickly stepped to the side. If Vykhan was a lord of Anthhori, did that now make her a lady? “Between Lohail and I, we can provide enough testimony to prove her guilt.”
“Documented evidence as well, if I know Lohail,” Vykhan said. “He would have been loathe to present it without a palace ally however, and so here we now are. But you are correct. She is not coming to negotiate, but to eliminate.” His hand brushed the small of her back. “Be wary,yada’ami. Guard against the unexpected.”
She eyed him sideways, fascinated at the gradual subtle shift from Vykhan, former lord of Anthhori and Reign’s lover, to Vykhan,BdakhunIbukay’s FirstAdekhan.They entered his quarters, his cruel sensuality banked. He strode into the bedroom, Reign on his heels, and they surveyed the gear an attendant must have laid out.
“Adequate,” he said, examining a piece closely.
Reign selected a blaster from an open chest, searching for the model number. “I know the designer. Lohail’s not cutting corners. Or Jordak owes him a favor.” Her lips curled. Her friend seemed to be getting around.
“You know Jordak Athsor?”
“Hmm.” Her smile turned sensual as a not so distant memory rose. She set the blaster down absently, and greedily eyed the smaller of the two body suits. “I have his sensory enhancement package.”
Vykhan watched her, his long fingers caressing a blade. “That is not on market yet. How did you acquire it?”
Something in his voice. . .she looked up, met the glittery demon-eyed look again. “I extended him a one time offer. It was a few years ago, Vykhan.”
His jaw flexed, but he turned his attention back to the body suits. “That would explain,” he said in a flat voice, “why this armor is exactly to your specifications.” He picked up a palm sized disposable tablet and handed it to her.
Reign read the note and grinned.
You sure get around, brown-eyed girl. Come see me sometime. I have a few pre-market gems I might be willing to part with, for another one of those unrefusable offers.
“I understand why Numar said a mate would only strengthen my path to Silence,” Vykhan muttered. “It is already a trial in control.”
“Like you don’t have any hotties lingering around the palace who are going to give me the evil eye once they see my new pretties.” She lifted her arm, pushing up her sleeve.
Vykhan gave her a cool look. “I do not conduct liaisons among the palace staff.”
“You’re such a stick.”
He was fully in his palace Vykhan persona. Stiff, formal, intent on flawless adherence to protocol.
She chortled. This was going to be so much fun.
Reign slid in front of him, the back of her knees bumping the edge of the bed, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m palace staff. In fact, I’m junior palace staff. Your subordinate, in your direct line of command.”
His expression pinched.
