Page 31 of Warrior's Reign
“Serving the Imperialists is not a vocation, Reign,” Icolo said. “It is an unbreakable generational vow.”
The Aeddannar thought everything was an unbreakable generational vow. Though, in this case. . .he might be right. Reign shrugged. “I have plans. Well, I’ve always had plans. The palace falls into line.”
“You want a House. That is ambitious.”
“Yadeshi don’t have Houses.”
His lashes flicked like he was restraining an eyeroll. “Not like the Aeddannar do, no. But your Vykhan—”
“Notmine.”
“His line has served, accumulating the status, wealth, and alliances that accompany that service. They are a power.”
“I’ll be a power,” she said finally. “It’s going to take time. And when my. . .house. . .is established, I’ll need both of you. Until then, we do what we’ve been doing. Work jobs, grow our rep, increase our assets.”
“You could align yourself with Vykhan. You will need a beneficial marital alliance.” His eyes unfocused for a moment. “You are already aligned.”
Reign scowled at him. “Stop that shit, it’s creepy.” Though she’d used his intermittent gift shamelessly to get jobs done. She just didn’t like it aimed at her. “I’ve never met Vykhan before this.”
“You’ve met.”
She knew better than to take anything he said when like this literally, but there was a finality to the words. Icolo’s gaze snapped back into the present.
“Interesting,” Martha murmured. “Perhapss it is time to look a little harder at thisss Vykhan.”
“I would have asked you to. He doesn’t care for humans, and for me in particular. If anyone presents an obstruction to upward mobility in the ranks, it’s him.” Reign paused, then continued thoughtfully. “I like his mother, though.”
“What are your orders?” Icolo asked. “I can begin vetting clients.”
Reign hesitated. “The politics are complicated right now. Naidekai is the hub of a growing anti-alien sentiment.”
“Our clientss are not the kind who care about that.”
“True. But I don’t want to step on Vykhan’s toes right now. Not on accident.”
“Yes,” Icolo said, eyes glimmering. “When you pull that dragon’s tail, it will be very much on purpose.” He gave her a male smirk.
Because he’d both irritated and made her uneasy, Reign said sweetly, “When you say things like that, it reminds me your mother is from Earth.”
His smirk vanished.
“Milklingsss,” Martha murmured.
“I have to go,” Reign said, and stabbed a finger at them. “You’re both still on retainer.”
She knew down to the quarter credit how much was in her accounts. They needed a list of new clients soon, but curating them would take time and discretion. She still wasn’t certain if the quiet permission to continue her side hustle was a perk of being Ibukay’s friend—and if so, it would be stupid to wave that flag around the office.
And, obviously, she wanted to control who knew she and the princess had a personal relationship. Someone might think Reign could be exploited.
“You won’t be able to afford us for much longer without a new client,” Icolo said.
Eyes narrowed in thought as she began to leave, “So go find us one.Discreetly,Icolo. Ibukay cannot be embarrassed.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Icolo replied in his chilly baritone. “I am as aware as you that you are soon to become the human face of the palace.”
She stared at him, eyes widening in horror.
“You did understand that is what’s happening, correct, with all the vlog coverage? You will have to begin considering the political ramifications of your position, Reign.”
