Page 77 of Warrior's Reign
Reign methodically scanned the crowd from the wings of the stage. There were drones in the air of course, but sometimes physical eyes caught things the tech couldn’t. Occasional chatter and instructions came through the discreet piece in her ear.
The people in herotherear remained silent. Last thing Reign needed was for Evvek to pick up on the unauthorized comm signal, though Martha would be insulted if Reign suggested she wasn’t as good as a palace tech.
The arena slowly filled with authorized audience members. In theory, each seat was assigned to an individual who had already been cleared by security at the time of ticketing.
In theory.
She didn’t glance over, but her shoulders tensed involuntarily as the whisper of a familiar presence stopped at her back.
“You are her shield tonight,” Vykhan murmured. “I should not allow it.”
“Afraid I’ll fuck up and get her killed?” Despite their relationship, she couldn’t help but needle him.
But he refused to be drawn. Couples fights were going to be a doozy if he would never lower himself to take the bait. Right. He never had, though.
“Do not ignore your instincts. If you feel danger, get her out.”
“Cameras?”
“Irrelevant. Her media liaison is responsible for her image. We are responsible for her life.” He paused. “It would annoy theEyahunif her debate was interrupted due to a safety concern.”
“You whisper such sweet nothings in my ear.”
Proving that therewasa difference between FirstAdekhanVykhan and betrothed Vykhan, he ghosted a brief kiss over the top of her ear, then actually took her hand, lifting it to his lips to press a kiss on her palm.
“I am trusting you with both your lives, Reign, each as precious as the other.” He stepped away.
Her heart beat with the sheer sentimentality of that parting message, delivered as it was in his inflectionless voice. But despite the lack of outward emotion, she knew he meant every word and felt deeply. She was coming to relearn the depths of his moods, shrouded and still as they were. But underneath that shroud. . .
Reign realized a moment later that the chatter on the comm lines had gone silent. Then it started back up, with a vengeance.
:Isn’t that so sweet?: someone cooed. :OurAdekhanand theyadoanain bond.:
:No one ever tells me anything. When did this start? Why were there no bets?:
:He’s getting all wild and crazy with these flagrant public physical devotions. . .:
:Can we focus, please?: Tai’ri’s rumble came through the comm. He paused. :We can corner her for Vykhan tips later.:
Reign hissed, though the sound lacked true anger. “I thought you were all professionals, but as usual, thinking leaves me disappointed.”
Already on stage, Ibukay shifted in her seat and met Reign’s gaze, gesturing. She took that as her cue and walked on stage, taking care to abbreviate her strides and try not to look like a warrior, but a pampered human pet.
“You didn’t tell me I was going to have to open my mouth,” Reign muttered in Ibukay’s ear.
The media liaison had only just an hour ago gone through the coached responses with Reign. That had been a nasty surprise, since she’d been expecting her role to be to sit and look pretty.
“Which, for the record, is a horrible idea.” She maintained a dignified smile, her lips barely moving.
“You would have bailed,” Ibukay said, her serene smile also unfaltering.
:You look so pretty on vid, Reign. Like a doll.: She ignored Icolo’s smooth amusement, and the hiss of Eshai amusement in response.
“Focus,” she murmured.
:Reign, we have a hit on a member of the crowd.: Martha said. :A known member of Yadeshi First. If there iss one, there iss more.:
Her mouth flattened into a thin line. Well, they’d expected this.
