“I am all for giving them a little show…” he hummed, liking that idea very much. To claim Noah in such a public manner was definitely something he could get behind and Noah’s reaction told him his human wasn’t so opposed to it either. But, unfortunately, here and now wasn’t the right place for it. “But getting you deported would be an issue for me,” he said and pulled back.
“It would be?” Noah muttered, barely letting any sound come out of his tempting lips.
Reign didn’t answer, feeling the question heavy in his chest. He should’ve worded things differently perhaps, but it was too late now and so he simply moved on from it. “Well,” he said, holding the door open, “lead the way then, Mr. Araya.”
24
Noah rolled his eyes, but led Reign to the second floor of the Empire’s Embassy all the same. His unanswered question and Reign’s words circled in his mind as he took the demon around, showing him the offices and conference rooms that dominated this area. The walls here were red wallpaper with gilded engravings of blooming vines, and the carpets—a dark gray that together with the red made the space feel claustrophobic despite its relative width. Statues graced every intersection, the ceiling vaulted there to accommodate their height.
“I see the Church spares no expenses where it matters,” Reign said when they reached the main conference suite, his eyes scanning the display cases with icons and scrolls, then the hanging inscriptions of prayers on both sides of the whiteboard.
Noah scoffed approvingly at the sarcastic remark.
It didn’t take them long to conclude their tour, the most exciting part being the visit to the rooftop garden where they lingered for an extra thirty minutes so as not to return to the Gala too quickly. Some guests seemed to have moved on to more exciting venues, but the majority of the embassy staff was still present, likely too afraid to minglewith the Asian officials in a setting that wasn’t supervised by the Church. Fear of repercussions from indulging in unacceptable activities was the likeliest cause and Noah didn’t blame his colleagues.
He, on the other hand, was perhaps a little reckless. Not tonight—he had been given a free pass so he could get on Reign’s good side—but in general. At the same time, he was also careful, because as much as he was enjoying himself, he didn’t want to get in trouble for it. At least, not unless he could strike a deal for asylum with the Asian Federation. He had figured out how to sneak in and out of the embassy accommodations without being spotted by the cameras, so he wasn’t too worried about that part. Running into Teresa when he and Reign were out was more likely, but with his spying mission, he had the perfect alibi for it now.
Reign bid goodnight to the ambassador and discreetly placed a hand against the small of Noah’s back, guiding him toward the door so they could make their escape.
“Noah, dear.” Teresa halted them.
Shit. Noah spun around, his body stiffening. Suddenly, he worried if perhaps he’d been too obvious about enjoying Reign’s company. Reign didn’t seem to share that concern, keeping his hand firmly at the low of Noah’s back.
“Mr. Lennox,” Teresa purred, her eyes crinkling. “I hope you enjoyed the tour of our offices?”
“I did. Very much so. The embassy is just as spectacular as the headquarters in Florence.”
“Thank you. We do take pride in our diplomatic missions. Besides, it’s always nice to feel at home even when you are away, don’t you think?” she prompted, evidently expecting a confirmation.
“It is as you say, Madame Teresa.”
Teresa shot them one of her perfected smiles. “I see you gentlemen are headed somewhere?”
For a second, panic struck Noah’s entire body. He swallowed it down and convinced himself he had nothing to worry about since they were facing her and she couldn’t see where Reign’s hand was.
“Yes, we’ll be joining some of the ministry staff for drinks,” Reign responded, letting his own mouth curve up. “Perhaps you will be, too?”
“I’m afraid I’ll have to pass this time. It’s been a long day.”Thank fuck. “Well then, I will leave you to it. Please enjoy the rest of the evening.” She reached out and brushed her fingers against Noah’s cheek, the contact too long and too much. “Remember not to get in too much trouble, Noah…mydear. You do still represent the Empire, even when you are out having fun.”
Anger swelled in Noah’s chest, spreading outwards. It was a vicious thing, alive and absolute, crawling under his skin, pounding in his ears, raising his hackles. He felt like he was about to explode, to lose it, the need to hurt her for claiming ownership of him too much to handle. If not for Reign’s hand still on his back, if not for the patterns his fingers were tracing and the solidity of his presence next to Noah, Noah wouldn’t have been able to hold it in. To suppress the violent outburst waiting to be let out.
But he did, if barely, and it was thanks to Reign.
“Of course,” Noah breathed out, focusing on the dull throbbing of Reign’s sigil marking his thigh as Reign kept massaging his back. “I would never do something that could leave a bad impression.”
“Marvelous. Good night to both of you,” she chirped, gave Noah’s shoulder a rub and disappeared in the crowd.
Noah ignored everything but the inhales and exhales he had to force himself to take, his entire body vibrating with repressed anger. He clutched onto Reign’s arm, let the demon support him, fighting to find his center again.
“Reign,” he muttered, his voice coming out strained. He wrapped his arms around himself, trying to stop the shakes. Her proclamation, the possessive way with which she’d touched him, it all felt so unbearably wrong, like a violation of his entire being. “Take me away from here… from this place.”
From her.
“Noah,” Reign said in a low but soothing rumble, the sound of his voice vibrating all around Noah. “We are skipping the bar.”
Noah went straight for the spacious shower the moment they arrived at Reign’s residence. He didn’t bother taking his designer shirt or trousers off, unable to wait even a second longer to wash off the lingering sensation of Teresa’s touch. To think she would go as far as staking a disgusting claim on him in front of Reign as if he was some expensive object of hers she liked to flaunt.
Noah stood under the water, first with his eyes closed, then watching rivulets trail down Reign’s naked body as the demon joined him and helped him undress. Reign’s eyes were blazing as they stared at Noah, his forehead creased with tension so unlike his usual calm demeanor. He reached with one hand, brushing his knuckles against Noah’s cheek as if to wipe away the trace of Teresa’s fingers, to reclaim that soiled part as his.
