Dommik’s attention flicked to our hands before returning to his plate. Rhazien’s thumb gently stroked my skin like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Silverware lightly sang as Dommik set down the utensils on his half eaten filet. He turned his body to Valta and purred, “Speaking of hard things—” Valta shook her bare shoulders and giggled “—I hoped we could spend some time together. Alone. After our meal.”
“Yes, please!” she nearly squealed.
Dommik looked at Gorvin, who remained unimpressed by their conversation. “That is, unless you require my assistance for event preparations.”
“I do not,” Gorvin responded with a simple coldness from the opposite end of the table, working away at his own cut of meat.
Rhazien coughed at the exchange, a poor attempt at hiding his amusement.
“And you, Majesty? Will you permit me totendto Lady Valta?”
“Oh, yes, please, Majesty,” Valta reached for Dommik beneath the table as she pouted. “I think we both need tending to.”
Rhazien’s thumb continued its patrol while his opposite hand swirled the thick blood within his goblet. “Please, Commander Thorne. Prioritize our esteemed guest.”
I pressed my lips into a firm line, determined to focus on the handsome regent caressing my hand andnotthe dastardly commander.
“Oh goody. And here I was worried tonight was going to be a snore.” The two rose to leave. “Your Majesty. And lady…human. I’ve already forgotten your name.”
Rhazien slammed his hand on the table, clattering silverware and tipping goblets. “Valta! Insult Lady Reyva again and you’ll be banished from court. Indefinitely.”
The room was silent and still as an empty graveyard. Even the dancing candle flames halted their flickering sway at Rhazien’s outburst.
Valta’s stare could have turned me to stone but she complied, “Ofcourse. Lady Reyva, I was only teasing. Looking forward to spending more time together at the ball tomorrow.”
In a dramatic show, she curtsied. Her small frame was swallowed by the fabric of her gown before Dommik, without looking back, escorted her out of the room.
Giggles and whispers followed them until a servant shut the door, leaving Gorvin, Rhazien, and me to our meal.
The regent patted my hand twice, a simple assuring gesture.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I whispered. Valta likely knew better, but seemingly didn’t care. The help would spread news of her behavior and Rhazien’s reaction faster than a summer wildfire.
“Of course I did.” A chuckle rumbled through Rhazien’s broad chest. “Insulting you equates to insulting me, and that behavior is not tolerated inanyHive.”
A hum bloomed in my chest at his insistence on the matter. For years, tongues wagged about my infertility, my private practices with medicinal herbs, my rumored affair, and finally, my presumed guilt for murdering my late husband. Even when Hollis had been alive, he did next to nothing to curb the narrative. He’d have some excuse about a future business deal that was ‘too important to muck up over some misunderstood comment, dear’.
But Rhazien, he wouldn’t even let Valta forget my name before publicly protecting me. There wasn’t a crumb of hesitation. He acted quickly with bold clarity and I admired him for that.
“With your permission, Majesty, I too will take my leave.” Gorvin didn’t wait for a response. His exit was as swift and graceful as his practiced bow.
The regent pulled his chair closer to mine and I turned to face him.
“You look stunning tonight, my lady,” he said. The compliment simmered in my chest.
“Thank you, Majesty.” A blush crept across my cheeks.
“Are you looking forward to your ball tomorrow?” Rhazien curled a foot around my ankle.
“It’s a most gracious offering, Majes?—”
“Rhazien.” He gently tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, green eyes glimmering. “Please, when we’re alone, call me Rhazien.”
My cheeks heated from his touch. “Rhazien.”
He let out a small hum behind a close-lipped smile.
