Page 68 of Warrior's Reign
“I’ll requisition you a new toy. One of upgrades you’ve been eyeing.”
Reign lifted her head and glared. “Will you stay out of my console?”
The holo faded as Ibu shrugged one shoulder. “You know we monitor our guards’ datasphere feeds. Yours is all weapons and spy tech and destination travel.”
Reign snorted as theBdakhuncut the comm. That was what they thought, anyway. Like Reign would conduct her real research on the palace monitored console. They didn’t know about therealone, and Martha would be highly insulted if they ever found it.
She downed a stimulant and went through her morning warm-ups, then dressed in her grays, pausing to slowly wrap the gifted dagger around her waist. A human follower of the imperial family’s religion, a successful graduate of the elite academy program . . . Reign’s accomplishments slapped in the face Adevega’s argument that aliens on Yedahn degraded their culture and traditions.
And now Reign was courting one of their best. She smiled.
Loka Vohn had seemed to think it would anger their enemies in the palace. That was just fine.
There were no messages from Icolo or Martha, so she exited her suite to meet Ibukay.
* * *
Reign stared at a wall past Adevega’s shoulder, containing her sourness by sheer will. Ibukay had dismissed her attendant, so it fell to Reign to kneel silently at Ibukay’s back and pour the tea. She was tempted to spill it, but in the end shedidserve, so she performed as Ibu wished, and poured perfectly. Then sat perfectly, her posture and the clasp of her hands faultless.
Once aunt and niece meandered through the thorny maze of pleasantries, the elder noble finally got down to business.
“I’d like you to reconsider my invitation to participate in the arena symposium,” Adevega said. She lounged on her pillows, cup of tea balanced gracefully in her palm.
“My First has already deemed the risk to be too great considering the increasing attempts on my life.”
Adevega pursed her lips. “You’ve just endured your second attempt, correct?”
TheEyahunknew the exact number of attacks. Three attempts in twelve months, when most royals endured one a decade, if that.
“Three,” Reign said, voice chilly. “Believe me, we will not allow it to continue. The hand behind the attempts will soon be unveiled and destroyed.”
Adevega ignored her. “It is your First’s duty to err on the side of caution, but we are the family,yadoana. Ultimately it falls to us to rule. It’s a mistake to bend under the sway of those whoserve, who don’t have our concerns or responsibilities.” She glanced at Reign. “But perhaps you should dismiss your human while we discuss.”
Ibukay lifted a brow, taking a sip of tea. “Why would I dismiss my life sworn guard? Who will pour tea?”
If Reign inched over just a little, she could poke Ibukay under cover of one of the jewel toned pillows.
Adevega’s gaze lingered on Reign. “Perhaps we should have her join us then. It seems felicitations are in order.”
Ibu glanced at Reign, beckoning her to shift forward. “Yes, Reign has honored my First by accepting his courtship request. You’ve spoken with Second Aanyah, Reign?”
Reign inclined her head, settling at Ibukay’s side and angling so she could watch both female’s faces. “I have,Bdakhun.She expressed delight.”
“When is your betrothal dinner?”
“I believe the Second and my mother are making arrangements.”
“I want an invitation.” She pursed her lips, eyes dancing. “I’m not family, but the Rhyksais won’t object.”
Reign bowed at the waist. She had to be careful not to hit her head on the table. “We would be deeply honored by your presence.”
Ibukay’s gaze mocked her over the rim of her tea cup. When Reign glanced at Adevega, theEyahunwas smiling blandly.
“Yes, it certainly is an advantageous match for you,” the older female said pleasantly. “And you’ve known FirstAdekhanVykhan such a short time, surely. He must be. . .smitten.”
The look Adevega gave her was exceedingly polite. Reign smiled at her—sweetly. “He’s just obsessed with how I handle a. . .staff.”
Ibukay choked.
