There was a faint tremble in her voice, and shit. This was an emotion he’d yet to see from her. And that was the thing. He actually understoodwhyshe was becoming more conversational around him. She was becoming comfortable. Wren had been the same. Quiet for a long time until she became comfortable enough around him to be a pain in his ass. It was what he needed from Kailia, yes, but he hadn’t planned on adding to the number of people he cared about because that was exactly what was happening.
He hadn’t been lying to appease her when he said she was more than a job; he just hadn’t wanted to admit as much to himself. Sure, he was a broody dick, but he actually liked that about himself. It kept others at arm’s length, and yet somehow, this tiny, stabby thing was here. In his study. Talking.
“Lia,” he sighed, closing the book and pushing it aside. “I need more than a few days, but as much as I hate to say this, I think we should loop Cethin in on?—”
“No,” she interjected. “He can’t know.”
“Okay. What about Tybalt?” he ventured.
“The Commander does not like me.”
“Even if that’s valid, you are still his queen. He takes his duties seriously,” Razik replied, unable to hide the hint of bitterness.
She was quiet for a few seconds before she said, “I would prefer no one else know.”
He knew it was a terrible idea, but he also knew that insisting on this would only end with her putting her defenses back in place.
“Fine,” he said flatly.
“That upsets you,” she noted, and he could feel her watching him. Because that’s what she did. Watched and observed and analyzed.
“It’s fine. You’re the queen, but beyond that, I’m not going to make you do anything.”
She nodded, setting her book aside. Twisting so her feet were now on the floor, she smoothed her hands along her thighs to her knees. Once. Twice. Three times.
“What is it, Lia?” he asked
“The Union Celebration is a week away.”
“I know.”
“And there will be dancing.”
“I know that as well.”
“And I don’t…”
Understanding dawning, he said, “You don’t know how to dance.”
“I assume I will be expected to. Dance, I mean.”
“With Cethin for sure,” Razik affirmed. “But also with others.” She visibly winced. “You need to have a conversation with Cethin about that.”
“I’ll do it. It’s part of my role now.”
“That role also includes not stabbing random people,” he deadpanned.
“Right,” she murmured, hands smoothing along her thighs again.
Pushing away from his desk, he stood, sending a message off in a swirl of black flames. “Let’s go.”
She stood too, looking perplexed. “Go where?”
He didn’t answer though. He only reached for her, letting her place her hand in his, before Traveling them out of the study.
He’d taken them to a place in the city where the younglings came for dance instruction. Fortunately, they were currently at their academic lessons, and the rehearsals for the adult performers took place earlier in the day, leaving the small studio open. He’d offered the madam a good amount of coin to let them use the place privately until her next class in three hours. Then, he’d offered her even more to stay and play the piano for them as well as to buy her silence. It was Cethin’s funds anyway, so he wasn’t out anything.
It took a while for Wren to meet them, but she was here now, giving Kailia a warm smile and hello. Unfortunately, Bram was with her.
