Kiko’s mouth opened again, but no sound came. My tone had stripped her of the ability to protest.
For a moment, no one moved.
Then Reo finally left the wall and stepped forward. “Kiko, Eiji is waiting outside to escort you all back to your quarters.”
“Hold on.” I held my hand up. “It’s not time for them to leave just yet.”
Reo quirked his brows.
Kiko widened her eyes.
“I don’t want this moment right here to ever occur again. I want everyone to understand their positions.” I glanced at Nyomi too.
I knew damn well that she had asked me to bring Kiko in here as a test. I wasn’t sure if she thought I had been lying or if she just needed some clearer confirmation.
But I was pissed.
I was not the sort of man one should challenge, and she had no idea what it did to me—that she’d even questioned where she stood in my life.
You are my fucking heart. Babies or not, that should’ve never been up for debate.
And, I wasn’t completely angry she needed proof. I was more angry that she asked for it in the form of Kiko.
That was beneath her.
Beneath me.
Beneath us.
That’s okay, Tora. You wanted proof? Let me give you one you will never forget.
“But. . .” Kiko grabbed my attention and still appeared like she was struggling with not cursing me out.
I eyed her. “Yes?”
Kiko tried to recover, but her face twisted in fury. “She is your Heart? Her?! I bled for you. I prayed for you. I opened my legs foryourlegacy. I. . .I thought that would be enough. . .and now you givemythrone to a woman who doesn’t even know our language. Our ways. Our customs. You bring her into your warroom? You will not beat the Fox making these sort of stupid mistakes!”
I pulled my hands out of my pockets. “Yoichi.”
He spoke, “Yes, Dragon?”
“Give me my knife.”
Gasps spread through her crew like a contagion. Tet flinched. Kiko took another step back, panic swelling in her eyes.
Even Nyomi took a step back too.
Reo rubbed his temples.
“Wait. I-I am s-sorry, Kenji,” Kiko stammered, and her voice cracked. “I forgot my place. I am just. . .worried for my sons.Oursons.”
Yoichi brought over my knife and handed it to me.
I gripped it and looked at the blade. “Why would you be worried for your babies?”
“My twins are yours, Kenji. They are the Dragon’s sons. They are the heirs tothisthrone. I should be in this room with you, helping with the war and helping—”
“Aww. Now I understand.” Hiro clapped. “She’s the Mother of Dragons!”
