Vaxa’an blew out a breath, “Where is she?”
“In the next room. Safe and well,” Kirov said.
“Let me speak with her.”
“I do not think—”
But there was no need for Kirov to protest before, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lani enter the room. He turned to look at her and it felt like a fist was wrapped around his heart, squeezing.
She was so beautiful. The light of Troxva filtered over her, giving her skin a golden glow, revealing natural, light streaks in her hair that he hadn’t noticed in the Golden City.
The blue Luxirian dress that Kate had given her only added to her beauty, molding to her curves, brightening her eyes and her red hair.
Vrax, Kirov thought.
The Fates had gifted him the loveliest, most bewildering, creature. What had he done to deserve her?
He should’ve known that she wouldn’t have stayed in the front of the house. Should’ve known that she wouldn’t have listened to him. But he wouldn’t have her any other way.
“Lani,” he called to her, holding out his hand for her. “The Prime Leader wishes to speak with you.”
She approached, taking his hand and squeezing it in her own. Her spine straightened and she addressed the Prime Leader, using his first name, “Vaxa’an, fancy seeing you here.”
Kirov shook his head, exhaling a breath, trying not to smile.
But Fates, regardless of the situation, she made him smile.
Vaxa’an’s lips pressed together for a brief moment, his eyes narrowing. “Female, are you unharmed?”
Kirov bristled at the implication.
So did Lani, it seemed.
Her mouth fell open and she hissed, “Yes. Of course. You think he would’ve hurt me? Are you out of your goddamn mind?”
“I just needed to be certain,” Vaxa’an asked, visibly relaxing, his eyes going briefly to Kirov. “And you…willingly went to Troxva with Ambassador Kirov?”
Kirov stiffened, opening his mouth, about to reveal another truth.
Lainey beat him to it, squeezing his hand hard. “Yes, I did.”
Kirov shot her a look, but all she did was give him another squeeze in warning.
“Of course, it was all verysudden,” she said, looking over at him before returning her gaze to Vaxa’an, “but what can I say? He’s a little spontaneous. I like that in a male. Sorry we didn’t let you know.”
Vaxa’an grunted, still eyeing both of them with suspicion. “He has explained what has happened between you?”
“About the Instinct and everything? About how I’m his mate and he wants me to have his babies?”
“Luxiva,” Kirov warned, torn between kissing her speechless or laughing.
Lani shot him an innocent look and turned back to Vaxa’an, “Yes, he explained it to me. So did your mate, come to think of it.”
“Kat told these things to you?” Vaxa’an asked slowly, frowning. “She knew you were Kirov’s mate?”
“No, no,” Lani said. “She might’ve suspected something at the end of my little inquisition, but she didn’t know.”
Vaxa’an frowned even harder.
