Page 38 of The Warrior's Oath
She was re-adjusting her hair when the door chimed.
“Coming,” she called out, tucking a wayward strand in place then moving to the door.
She opened it to find Korvin standing quietly outside. He was clean shaven, washed, and dressed in some very flattering clothing. A warm tingle fluttered in her belly, but this was a new day, and whatever shenanigans they’d been up to the prior evening, there were people around. That discussion would need to wait.
“Are you ready?” he asked, the low-hanging fruit of that question too easy for her to take a swing at.
“Yeah, I was just freshening up. Do I look okay?”
“You look well,” he said, failing that little test. “Let us move to the dining hall. Your body surely needs significant sustenance after so intense a session.”
Nyota bit her tongue, knowing he was merely talking about the Skrizzit’s work and nothing more interesting. “Are you saying calories don’t count after you get tattooed?” she asked with an amused grin.
“Calories?”
“Ugh. Says the man with the washboard abs.”
“Washboard? Why does one wash a board? Your world is quite strange.”
“Just let it go,” she said with an exasperated groan. “We’ll go get some food, leave it at that.”
“Yes, that is the plan. The magistrate expressed an interest in seeing us this morning.”
Nyota stepped out and closed the door behind her. “Then we’d best not keep her waiting.”
“Indeed,” her guardian replied, turning and leading the way. He paused a moment and turned back to her.
“What?”
“Your hair. It looks nice today.”
Without another word he turned and continued on his path.
Nyota’s mind whirred.What the hell was that?she wondered, falling in step behind him. He had denied her, but maybe, just maybe, the thought ofwhat ifwas now creeping into his mind.
As they walked, something felt very different from yesterday. Drastically different, in fact. Everyone they passed was turning to look at the borderline celebrity in their midst. And the women who wouldn’t have given Korvin a second glance previously were now openly showing interest, giving him come hither looks and batting their eyes at him—even those who possessed more than one pair.
He simply walked on, ignoring them, impervious to their stares and uninterested in their advances. He did, however, periodically glance over his shoulder at the human woman following close behind. And even when he wasn’t looking at her, Nyota felt certain he knew exactly where she was and who was around them.
A protector, that was his role, come hell or high water, and regardless of what had happened between them the day before, or his new social status, it was his duty of honor to ensure her safety, and a task he tookveryseriously.
Nyota felt the looks of jealousy from the women they passed but they bounced right off her, she was feeling so good. A bit sore, perhaps, now that she was up and moving around, but good. Her legs had renewed energy and the aches that had sprung up from head to toe were largely gone.
Whether it was the new runes she’d been given or just the regenerative nature of good, sound, stress-free sleep, she was unsure. All that really mattered was that she felt human again. Better than human in a way.
But that was probably the living alien pigment now a symbiotic part of her anatomy.
A disconcertingly soft-spoken guard with beautiful pale green skin and a form-fitting uniform accentuating her musculature quietly made her way to the newcomers. “The magistrate is expecting you. Please follow me.”
Korvin nodded once to the security professional with respectful professional recognition and fell in behind her. Nyota followed suit, the crowd parting as the sturdy woman led the way.
The magistrate was dining in a large, public setting, but her security detail was casually spread out, each of them unobtrusively keeping a close eye on every last guest.
Must be the safest room in the city right about now,Nyota mused.
“Ah, my guests! I trust you slept well,” the magistrate said, offering her hand in a warm greeting.
“Refreshed and rested,” Korvin said. “We greatly appreciate your hospitality.”
