Page 59 of Warrior's Reign
She’d done some snooping on the Rhyksais. And not that she had imposter syndrome or anything, but her stomach cramped a little at the thought of exactly how old and well-respected this family was. Her stepfather’s name and her own measly single cycle at the academy were barely enough to bring her up to scruff. If Yedahn had unofficial nobility outside of the Imperial family, the Rhyksais were among them.
Aanyah’s lips twitched. “I am a guest in your home, Reign Obe’shan.”
Which prompted Reign into action. By placing herself in the position of a guest, the elder female eschewed any considerations for rank.
“I’m pleased to welcome you. Tea?”
“Please. And I must ask your pardon for coming so early in the morning. I am about to start duty and wanted to see you first.”
Reign only had the one couch in her living area, and a low table. She cursed herself, stepping aside and gesturing for Aanyah to sit while she went to her beverage center and brewed tea. By hand.
She felt grubby and slow in Aanyah’s presence. Somehow the female managed to combine ethereal grace with a warrior’s stern mien, wrapped in a quiet command that avoided arrogance.
Reign brought a tray to the table and poured, offering Aanyah a cup. She wasn’t as thorough or as graceful as Vykhan, but her manners were adequate enough.
Aanyah took a sip. “I’m not familiar with this blend. Where are the leaves from?” She peered into her cup.
“From the market in my home village. My sister sends me tins when the harvest comes in.”
“Hmm. I should have known it was an Olovohk blend. They have a bold hand with the spices. You’ll have to tell me the name of this blend. When you have a chance,” she added as Reign began to lurch to her feet.
She settled back on the couch, clutching her tea cup, and cleared her throat. “How may I be of service,Adekhan?”
Aanyah set her teacup down and withdrew a square of thick paper from her robes. “I would like to invite you to dinner.”
Oh, Haeemah.
Aanyah lost the battle of neutrality and laughed. “Forgive me,yadoana, but the look on your face. You look like you’re about to face the executioner’s squad.”
Her voice was a motherly caress. Reign relaxed. A little. “My mother told me to wear a dress and not my grays.” She didn’t know why she’d just said that.
“Mothers,” Aanyah said with a knowing smile. “Though Yna Ipaluk grays wouldn’t insult my home. You would be lovely in anything you chose to wear.”
Reign blinked.
“Dozian and I are very pleased with your choice of our son. Truthfully, we thought him so focused on pursuing his Path that we would have to take matters of his marriage into our hands. This saves us some work.”
“I’m. . .human.”
TheAdekhan’sbrow rose. “So, you will add some variety to our line’s genetics.” Her eyes hardened. “We don’t agree withEyahunAdevega and the Yadeshi First movement, though that is enough said on that. The old families can be insular, and even haughty. If you were not Yna Ipaluki, we might otherwise have concerns regarding long term compatibility. But your academy records are exemplary and your family follows Haeemah’s Precepts. We believe this is a good match.” She pursed her lips. “I don’t believe an Obe’shan and Rhyksai have married in at least ten generations. We tend to marry within our provinces. I’ll have to double check the records.” Aanyah rose.
Reign had a feeling this female knew to the day when the last marriage between their families was. As well as the outcome, how many children were born, how many of those children or grandchildren madeAdekhan. . .
Rising, Reign bowed. “I look forward to dinner.”
Aanyah nodded and walked towards the door, then paused. “Did my son’s courtship gift please you?”
Reign’s eyes widened. Vykhan had run the gift by his mother? Which meant Aanyah had known before Vykhan even. . .proposed.
“I didn’t know he knew me that well,” Reign admitted. “If it had been jewelry or whatever, I wouldn’t have been so off balance.” And de facto agreed to a pre-engagement.
Aanyah’s kind expression turned smug. “I knew you would like it. When you come to dinner, I’ll show you the family armory it came from.”
Reign’s fingers trembled. Armory? They had a whole armory? “All I have to do to get my hands on it is marry Vykhan?”
His mother stepped out of the room, smug expression morphing into a toothy grin. “The sooner you do, the sooner you can play with them, my dear. Jordak Athsor is a distant cousin.”
Damn. Reign stared at the door as it slid closed. That female played dirty.
