Page 51 of Warrior's Reign
“I beg you, release me from my vow. You can’t do this to me.”
“Ibukay.”
“You practically engaged yourself to Vykhan and didn’t even know it!” She howled. “I can tell by the look on your face. And I would bet my best pair of earrings he assumed you knew what you were doing. You’re an Obe’shan. You graduated Yna Ipaluk. It would never even cross his mind that you didn’t know.”
She wanted to strangle something. “So we’re really engaged? Can I take it back?”
Ibukay’s laughter trailed off. “This is going tokillmy aunt. She actually likes the Rhyksais. They are all so relentlessly traditional and brimming full of their own honor. They are the perfect Yadeshi family. And their scion is about to wed a human!” She began laughing again. “Vykhan! The most staid, Silent of all of them!”
Reign dropped into a chair, tucking the dagger back inside her robe, and sighed. She rested her elbows on her knees. “That’s what I thought. How do I get myself into these kinds of messes?” She knew he wanted her. She figured he thought she was competent enough at her job. He wasn’t cruel in the training circle. But he’d said nothing of love. “I didn’t even know he liked me. What the hell is going on?”
Ibukay shook her head. “What—he just out of nowhere requested a courtship? And no, you aren’t engaged. What you described was a formal courtship request. A betrothal requires a few more steps.”
Reign perked up.
“Don’t look so relieved. Courtship requests, once accepted, are a formality. You’ll be engaged once your parents meet. In fact, in the old days after the parents met, that was it. We didn’t start throwing parties until, oh. . .twenty-six centuries ago? Before then it was just dinner and a handshake after the couple announced a courtship.”
Reign scowled. “What happens if I take it back?”
Ibukay sat up, looking alarmed. “You can’t do that! It would be a scandal. Reign, Vykhan wouldn’t have asked if he hadn’t been certain the union was welcome. Are you telling me this was out of nowhere?”
She’d never noticed how lovely the ceilings were before now. There was a subtle iridescence in the material that reflected light. So pretty.
“Reign. Reeeeiiign. . .you’ve been holding out on me. I know Vykhan. He didn’t just suddenly lose his mind. Something is going on between you two.”
She rubbed the back of her neck. “Fuck it. And no, we haven’t done that. We’ve kissed. There’s been some tension for a while. It’s a little odd.” When had the tension begun? She’d ignored the gradual heat between them so well and then bam. It just was all out in the open, at least what Vykhan would consider out in the open.
“He’s so reserved,” Reign muttered, “it’s hard to know what he’s feeling most of the time, but the other night he lost it. Slammed it against the wall in his office and—I thought clothes were coming off.”
Ibukay’s expression turned dreamy. “I always knew he had it in him.”
“Why me? I don’t understand.”
And the lack of understanding troubled her. Of all the women Vykhan could have chosen, why her? Did he feel the same sense of familiarity, of rightness, she’d been suppressing? Under his stiff, annoying exterior was a soul that when they sparred together, when he forgot how inferior she was to him, they just synced. And she’d only ever done that with one other man.
“It’s not a bad match.” Ibukay pursed her lips. “But still, what is he thinking?” She spoke almost to herself. “You’re sure there’s nothing more between you? You can tell me, Reign.”
Reign shook her head. “Yeah, I know, I wouldn’t hold out on you. I swear to Haeemah, we’ve been struggling to get along.”
“The Obe’shans are a highly respected family.”
“Even you sound stumped. You do know I’m not genetically related to the Obe’shans, right? Everyonedoesknow that, right? I mean, I would have thought it was obvious.”
Ibukay waved a hand. “The genetics are important, but not as important as carrying on the traditions.” She tapped her temple. “We used to foster children left and right between our families as a way to prevent the endlessjokdahts. Sometimes the heirs weren’t the genetic children of the family heads. If your son or daughter is a wastrel, but your fosterling embodies the family traditions, you’ll go with the fosterling. The only difference in your case is that you’re human.”
“That’s a significant difference, Ibu.”
“You can have children. That’s what’s important. And you’re as traditional as any of us.”
Reign gaped. “What have I done for you to name call me like this?”
“Please. You play at being a rebel, but it’s just your youth. We all go through that phase before settling down. No, it’s a very good match, Reign. You’re a graduate of Yna Ipaluk. You may one day be a SecondAdekhan. . .I don’t know if you’ll have the lifespan to make First.”
“There are other women here who are graduates of Yna Ipaluk, with the family pedigree.”
She shrugged. “True. But I guess his picker likes you. We’re overthinking this. It’s probably just plain old-fashioned lust, and he figures your family would be insulted if he just slept with you. Heisyour FirstAdekhan.” Her grin turned lascivious. “Who else has Vykhan slammed against a wall and almost—”
“Ibukay.”
