But Dorian shook his head. “Nothing,” he replied with a forced smile. “How was your meeting with brother dear last night?” he asked upon remembering it.
Nyssa shrugged. “Fine. He’s a bit paranoid, but… I suppose that’s to be expected this week.”
“Just a bit?” Dorian repeated, knowing perhaps Nyssa wasn’t telling the whole truth.
She held her fingers up, millimeters apart, and she said, “Just a tiny bit,” in a sarcastic tone.
An amused huff left him, and he draped his arm over her shoulders. “Come on. We’ll meet sister dear in the hall.”
CHAPTER TEN
AYDRA DIDN’T TAKE long getting the suit for Nyssa to take to Maye, but the entire way up to her room and returning, all she could think about was the look on Dorian’s face when she’d mentioned that she would be with Rhaif at the market.
She hated that he’d seen her like that. Hated that he had had to witness one more thing to bring him nightmares or make him think he was not enough to keep them protected.
As she rounded the final staircase upon her return, though, some of that worry washed away at just the sight of her youngers joking and laughing with Draven and Bala. Draven caught her eye when he saw her coming near, and he gave her a quiet wink.
“There is a sight I will never get tired of seeing,” she sighed upon reaching them. She held out the suit to Nyssa, quickly explaining what to say to Maye and how to respond to any backlash she might give. Nyssa nodded and agreed, assuring her she would take care of it, and Aydra knew her sister would take that promise seriously.
Draven draped an arm around her waist. “I think we can handle some stares, my Queen,” he said in her ear after hearing Aydra repeat herself for the third time. “Should someone utter a word to us, we have weapons.”
Nyssa smiled between them and quietly excused herself as Aydra turned into him, and Draven touched his forehead against hers.
“I’ll see you tonight,” she whispered.
He kissed her in response, holding her cheek in his hand, and as he pulled back, he kissed her forehead as well. “Sunset on the beach?” he asked.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” she replied.
Draven kissed her fleetingly once more and then released her to join Nyssa and Bala, who were waiting on him at the end of the hall. Bala grinned and teased something as Draven approached, and he grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her jovially.
Aydra slipped her arm into Dorian’s as they watched Draven, Nyssa, and Bala disappear into the next hall. She hoped Nyssa could handle the stares and backtalk she would indeed receive from merely walking in the streets with the Venari leaders. But she had to trust her. She was sure Nyssa would be fine after they’d spoken two days before. Nyssa had listened so intently, taking in all the new information, and Aydra hoped Nyssa’s close relationship with Rhaif did not send her backward.
“Can we talk about how small she looks beside them?” Dorian said.
Aydra scoffed at the observation. “Everyone looks small beside him,” she agreed.
“You don’t,” and Aydra turned to meet his gaze.
“It’s the power,” she shrugged. “Come on. Let’s go find my Second.” She tugged him toward the servants' tunnels so they could travel down without being seen on their way to the stadium.
“I’m quite surprised Lex was not at breakfast,” she said as they descended the stairs. “I thought for sure she and Bala would have put all that lust for one another to good work after nothing in the forest.”
“I think Bala was otherwise occupied last night,” Dorian said plainly.
“Really? Her first night here? Who—“
Aydra stopped short, and Dorian crashed into her. He fell on his backside on the stairs, and Aydra rounded over him.
“What did you do,” she accused.
A range of emotions stretched over his features—from fear to raised brows like he was considering telling her, to smugness, and finally to biting back laughter.
“It’s not exactly whatIdid….”
Aydra started hitting and slapping his arms, making him curl into a ball in defense of himself.
“Dorian Eaglefyre!” she snapped, though the thought had amused her.
