Nyssa caught sight of the General that had lied, and she watched him as he spoke to Nadir.
"You caught my tap?" she asked Lex without looking at her.
"I did," Lex said as she, too, watched the man. "I wonder why he would be lying about the readiness of his legion."
"Isn't his legion the one Nadir wanted to give you?" Nyssa asked.
Lex considered it, and Nyssa's brow raised knowingly.
"There you go," Nyssa muttered. "He doesn't want his authority taken away. You should keep an eye on him and try to help where you can. Show him you're not trying to take over his legion but that you just want to help."
Lex's smile widened down at her. "I forgot how much you love the politics of all this."
Nyssa sighed, finding her own smile spreading. "As did I," she agreed.
"Try not to orgasm at the table over it," Lex mocked, to which Nyssa couldn’t help her laugh. "Or perhaps if you do, make sure your Commander is enjoying it as well."
Lex winked at her when Nyssa met her gaze, and then she gave her hair a ruffle. Her lips pressing to the top of Nyssa's head, she muttered, "See you in the morning, Princess," to her before heading out of the tent herself.
Nyssa sighed again and pushed herself atop the table, crossing her legs under her and sipping the rest of her wine as the people filed out of the room. Soli gave her another glare, but she didn't speak, didn't even speak to Nadir as she left.
Nyssa took a moment to watch him, feeling her eyes dance over his stern facade, his commanding voice and posture as he spoke with his people. The words he'd said in her ear came to mind.
For a moment, she fantasized about him taking her right there on that table, and when she caught his gaze, watching as his eyes darted over her, she knew he was thinking it too.
Sutor came up to her and gave her cheek a kiss, telling her she would have clothes ready for her in the morning and she should come by before breakfast to get them. She introduced Nyssa to a few other women: bakers, one in charge of the fruits in the food forest, and a few others that Nyssa did not remember their names.
Nyssa could hear the drums outside as their people gathered around fires for smokes and after-dinner shenanigans as the last of the people left. She pushed the cup to her lips and watched Nadir snap the tent door closed, and her heartbeat quickened.
When he turned, she noted the push of his hips forward, the swagger in his shoulders, the delight in his eyes, and she stifled the smile threatening her lips.
"Well done, Lady Storn," he mocked, to which she shook her head.
"I should never have told you I used your name," she laughed.
"You shouldn't have," he agreed. "It's given me all sorts of ideas and fantasies."
"Fantasies?" she repeated as he reached the edge of the table. "Do tell, Commander."
He chuckled under his breath and sat his cup down upon coming to stand before her. "You've no idea how long I've waited for someone to put Soli in her place," he admitted. "And that threat?" His eyes scrunched mockingly, low whistle sounding.
Nyssa laughed, her heart skipping as she felt his light touch on her knees. "Not what you expected from your innocent Princess?"
"I'm not sure what I expected, but it certainly wasn't that,” he admitted. "That was amazing. And your walking around the room? I didn't know anyone could be so intimidating."
"You don't have to be the largest person in the room to command it."
Nadir's hands pressed into the wood on either side of her, and she couldn't help her chin raising, her legs from unfolding, eyes from darting over his face. He leaned over her, his nose nearly nudging hers, and adrenaline surged through her veins.
"Tell me you weren't looking at me as you were just to say you're not crossing my beach," he breathed against her skin.
Nyssa smiled, confidence pulsing in her veins. "I haven't crossed that beach," she told him as her heart began to thud. "But after that, I wouldn't say no to a swim."
He groaned, eyes fluttering. "Does that mean I can kiss you?" he practically pleaded.
Her legs dropped to either side of his hips, and she squeezed. "Yes," she managed, the anticipation of him making her chest heave.
"Thank the Architects," he muttered beneath his breath before threading her jaw in his palms and kissing her so hard, she nearly fell off balance.
