Sekhan elbowed his brother’s side.“Lighten up, Zahar.Our sister is back after two years!I’m looking forward to hearing about her adventures.”
The older prince grumbled something about needing a drink and walked away.
“He seems lovely,” Talon said.
“My brother tends to take life too seriously.He gets that from our mother.”Sekhan smiled.“Let’s go get you all a drink while we await my siblings and the Aztia.I hear she is beautiful.”
Jealousy roared through Emmeric at the man’s words, and his steps faltered.The three others turned to him with a questioning gaze, but then Talon’s eyes lit up in amusement.
Shit.
“She really is,” Tal said, clapping Sekhan on the back.“I think you’ll like her.”
Understanding dawned in Zane’s expression, and he frowned at Talon.“Tal…” he chastised.
“What?”Talon asked innocently, batting his lashes.Sekhan glanced between the two, squinting in confusion.
Emmeric’s ire banked when warm amusement spiraled down the bond.Conjuring the clearest picture of a raised middle finger in his mind, he shoved it back towards Iyana.He wasn’t sure if she received the full picture or simply the intent, but she obviously felt something because her amusement only increased.
“I think I’ll just stick with hello, then,” Sekhan said, obviously picking up on the situation.“Ah, there’s Kekari.”
Emmeric was fairly certain he heard Sekhan mutterthank fuckunderneath his breath.
Kekari breezed through the space with a straight back and an air of confidence Emmeric wished he could emulate.They wore their hair short like Zahar, and a tunic similar to the men with a skirt on the bottom instead of breeches.A sword was attached to their hip, and Emmeric was certain they could wield it with deadly precision.They nodded their head in greeting.
“Good evening.”
They all bowed their heads in return.“Good evening,” Zane said.“Thank you for the warm welcome in your home.”
Kekari smiled brightly.“Of course.Anything for an emperor.”It was Talon’s turn to glower at the obvious flirtatious nature.Kekari and Kaz obviously had that in common.But Zane was well-versed in dealing with court nonsense, and he strode directly into a conversation about exports or some such thing.Emmeric tuned out almost immediately.
The bond nestled within his chest tugged.Turning his attention towards it, he could sense Iyana coming closer, causing his pulse to jump.He felt her uncertainty, and he honestly couldn’t blame her.Emmeric had tried his best to convince her that Nyr’s king and queen would be different from Emperor Uther, but there was no way he could promise her that.He hated that something as simple as walking into a palace could cause an anxiety attack.
Iyana and Kaz walked through the doorway into the dining room, and Emmeric swore all the air left his body.His lungs spasmed within his chest, begging for him to breathe, but if his last view in this life was of Iyana in this moment, then he’d die a fortunate man.
His Aztia was simply a vision in a long, red dress that hugged her every curve, with a slit up one side showing glimpses of her lovely thigh.Her long hair was swept over her shoulder, and her eyes were lined in kohl.She was absolutely stunning.And then his heart almost stopped when she turned to talk to Kaz, showing Emmeric the dress swooped down to her low back, ending just above the curve of her ass.It showcased those scars on her back with pride, proving she was a survivor.Iyana’s beautiful golden-tan skin was fully on display, and he was not subtle in his admiration of her body.
Even if he could block the bond so that Iyana was unable to know how attractive he found her in that dress, Emmeric wouldn’t do it.He wanted her to feel everything.Iyana turned to him, instinctually knowing where he was within the room.
He let his eyes shamelessly peruse her body, feeling her own response to his gaze.Then he was striding towards her, everyone else in the room forgotten.Iyana watched him approach, the bond sparking with heat.It did something to Emmeric to know he affected her the same way she did him.
Emmeric stopped in front of her and, leaning forward, he spoke lowly into her ear, “You should always wear red, Mouse.It suits you.”He saw goosebumps erupt on her skin with his words.His mouth was so close to her neck, he was tempted to drag his lips along that sweet skin to see how else her body would react to him.
Somebody cleared their throat, snapping Emmeric out of the trance Iyana had placed him in.He straightened and turned to see that King Saram and Queen Nita had joined them; everyone was taking their seats at the table.
Iyana stiffened, and Emmeric was sure he would’ve been able to sense her nerves even without their bond.He dragged his fingers down her bare back with a featherlight touch until he rested his hand on her lower back.Emmeric leaned in towards her again, his words intended only for Iyana.
“I’ll be right here the entire time, Mouse.I’ve got you.You can do this.”
With a slight nod of her head, Iyana allowed him to guide her towards the table.Emmeric relished every second his hand was against her skin, because he didn’t know when he’d have another chance to touch her like this.He pulled her chair out for her, pushing it back in once she sat down, then he took his own chair to her left.Talon and Zane sat across from them, and the other three royal children were spread out while the king and queen each occupied one head of the table.
Servants delivered steaming dishes of delicious-smelling food to everyone.King Saram glanced at them all and said, “What are you waiting for?Eat.”
Chapter 15
Iyana
Mostofthedinnerwas chatting in between bites with the other royal children.Well, except for Zahar; he mostly kept to himself, only contributing to the conversation when a question was directed at him.The king and queen both ate in silence.It was unnerving for Iyana, but as the meal wore on and she continued to sip on her wine with nothing untoward happening, she began to relax.It helped that Emmeric was seated next to her, giving small, reassuring touches to her back or knee when she was becoming anxious.
