Page 17 of Warrior's Reign
“Relax, I left a note. I’m sure they already know we’re here.” Ibu stepped out of the transport. “He usually gives me a few hours then sends backup.”
Reign followed, taking a slow look around. This was a moment in which she was again smacked in the face with the difference in their lives. She’d known Ibukay was an Imperial daughter—but until now, she hadn’tknown.Reign picked up her overnight bag and walked to the edge of the rooftop and looked down at the city below. Lights sparkled from the dozens of skyscrapers, and transports of all sizes flew by. Above her head the Twins glowed.
Ibukay drew alongside her. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I bought the penthouse after my first university stint. Most of us have a home outside the palace to come to. There are too many eyes in the compound. Come on.”
Reign turned, abandoning her momentary wonder, and followed the princess to a glass enclosed lift. They took it down, and the doors opened into the open plan, transparent walled home of the Imperial family’s youngest daughter.
“What kind of security system do you have in here?”
Ibukay made a vague gesture. “Oh, that. A Tritoria T-3000 I think? I only know because Evvek cooed over it during the install. I think his marks tried to bond with it.”
“Of course,” she murmured. Only the top of the line, most expensive would do. She turned in a circle. “This will take getting used to.” There werenoopaque walls in the circular room. Even the interior walls dividing the living and kitchen areas from the bedroom suite were clear.
“It’s adjustable.” She tugged at her glittering earlobe. “In case I need privacy.”
“I don’t want to hear about it.” Reign wandered toward the kitchen, opening Ibu’s unit. “There’s no food in here.”
Ibu peered over Reign’s shoulder. “I don’t think grocery delivery is until tomorrow. There’s a restaurant a few floors down.”
“Open this late? Fine. Let me call ahead though. I haven’t had time to read through the protocol book.”
Ibukay waited while Reign contacted the restaurant manager and let them know theBdakhunwas in residence and would be coming down. She probably had weeks ofmemorizing the various security protocols of all of Ibukay’s residences and frequently visited locations. But from her experience, the manager should know what to do.
“We’re all set,” Reign said, “but let me change.”
She stepped into the bedroom while Ibukay fiddled with the entertainment screen, and stripped down to her underwear, changing out of the nondescript outfit that made her look like a factory drone and into sleek slacks and a one shoulder top. Not quite dressy, but a half step above daytime casual, and with a few extras hidden away. The silver cuff on her wristlookedornamental. But considering the blink and shine Ibukay decked herself in, anything drabber than this would draw unwanted attention because of the contrast between them.
Reign opted to activate her camo, and tinted her skin blue while adding a raven sheen to her dark brown hair. Nothing to be done about her bone structure or height, but tinting her skin would prevent the longer stares associated with a human present in an upper echelon building like this. Ibukay had not purchased her penthouse in a tower that housed the poor. Reign had discreetly checked the resident roster en route, and knew this place housed royals, celebrities and the uber wealthy. None of them were human.
Though truth be told, Reign just didn’t like the attention her human looks gained. She’d probably would have activated the skin shield whether she was with Ibukay or not. She knew she was coming to rely on it more than she should, but. . .that was a problem for later.
When Reign emerged, Ibu glanced at her. “Vykhan commed. He’s displeased.”
“I figured.” She frowned and reached for Ibukay’s wrist. She touched the gold and crystal bangles to her silver cuff and waited for them to link. “Maybe we should stay in the penthouse. It’s more secure.”
Ibukay looked annoyed. “Not you too.”
“Did you hire me to be your guard, or to be your girlfriend experience?”
“It hasn’t even been a day, and you’re already on their side.” But Ibu’s annoyance shifted to amusement. “Fine. Do whatever you need to do your job, but we’re going down to the restaurant. I’m hungry, and I’m tired of cooking.”
They headed towards the lift. “Don’t the palace chefs—”
“Please. They only make traditional dishes. If I want pizza from Roma Prime or Pho from Korterra V? Nope. It’s an argument. The head chef is family, so I can’t fire him.”
Reign blinked. “Your family works for you in the palace?” The lift descended.
“Extended family. There are hundreds of us. Once you study the roster, you’ll find most of the palace employees are cousins, or step cousins.”
“Interesting.” Reign supposed that solved the problem of loyalty. She wondered if that meant they got paid better than market rate, or worse.
A concierge greeted them discreetly at the restaurant entrance. Reign couldn’t leave Ibukay cooling her heels while she scanned the place, so she walked slightly ahead, taking note.
“Let’s sit at the bar,” Ibu said.
Reign sighed. “A booth would be more—”
“Reign.”
