Page 48 of Warrior's Reign
It hadn’t been all martial arts and tactics at the academy. There had been social graces too, and she hadn’t appreciated them at the time as much as she should have. Learning the fine details of the culture had fascinated her, but she’d been focused on the Forms. Still, if called upon, she wouldn’t embarrass herself.
Vykhan appeared pleased. “Lomara and I attended in the same cohort. She is. . .exacting. She would have trained you well in our traditions.”
“I have no complaints. Her training kept me from looking like an idiot with some of my more pretentious clients. I sent her flowers once.”
Was she engaged in small talk withVykhan? Reign realized she’d relaxed, oddly enough, and stiffened again. There was something about sitting here with him like this, speaking quietly of things that they, oddly again, had in common, that put her off her guard.
He sipped his tea and Reign realized he would not ask why she’d come. He was the host; he’d sit here all day waiting.
She bit back a sigh. “I’ve made contact with a potential client I wanted you to vet. I’ve been made aware of facets of my position in theBdakhun’scircle I hadn’t fully considered.”
“You’re not political. You’re surprisingly straightforward. If you had not begun to consider these facets, in time I would have discussed it with you.”
His usual air of critical condescension was gone, or at least muted. Maybe that was another benefit to being a ‘guest.’ Or maybe it was just that he was technically off duty and this was his version of chillaxing.
Reign pulled a slim datapad out of her inner robe and slid it across the table. Vykhan lowered his cup obligingly, and pressed down with his thumbnail. A screen sprang into life, and he began to read.
His eyes chilled instantly.
Any lingering urge to relax evaporated. Reign snapped into focus, wary.
Vykhan’s gaze met hers. “Have you arranged a meeting?”
“It’s being handled.” She wouldn’t reveal the presence of her team in the city yet. There was an advantage to having resources the palace didn’t know about. At least until she’d untangled all of the workplace politics, and that would take months, if not a few years.
“How did this person approach you?”
“They didn’t. I’m. . .using a scout to parse through opportunities in the city.”
He was silent for a long moment. “Is the work you do for theBdakhunnot fulfilling? Why do you seek outside employment?”
Reign chose her words carefully. “If I’m to be an asset to Ibukay in the long term, and build a. . .base. . .here in the city that will pass on to my descendants who opt out of palace work, then I need to start networking, learning the players in the city. If I was meant to be a simple bodyguard, Ibukay wouldn’t need me in her inner circle.”
His long fingers wrapped around his teacup. “You speak of descendants. You will seek to make an alliance soon?”
“I’m told that eventually I’ll have to do so, yes.” She didn’t mention it was an Aeddannar-Human hybrid who’d done the telling. Old Yadeshi could get a bit testy about aliens interfering in their culture. It was partly why Adevega hadn’t been shut down yet. Too many Yadeshi in high places who agreed with her behind closed doors.
“Do you have candidates in mind?”
She frowned. What? “I just got here, Vykhan. I don’t work that fast.”
“I see.” His gaze was penetrating. “What you seek to build is the work of years, and if not handled carefully, can lead to ruin. Not just for you. These elements, as you say, of this city are not to be approached lightly.”
“Are you ordering me to stop?”
“No,” he said finally. “You’re correct. You’re no use to Ibukay as nothing more than a hired blade. You will keep me apprised of the results of your meeting with this individual.”
“Do you want me to cancel it?”
“No. Attend. But report to me afterwards.”
She studied him. “You don’t like it. What aren’t you telling me?”
His voice was edged. “There is much we don’t tell you. This person isdangerous, Reign. Be wary.” He seemed to bite off further words and Reign realized hewasupset—but not with her.
Interesting.
Accepting the dismissal and the permission, Reign rose, bowed, and began to leave. Feeling as if she’d escaped a sword hovering beside her neck.
