"You look for your protector," he said in a low voice.Not accusing.Just noting.
Her attention snapped back to him as heat crawled up her neck.“Yeah, sorry.I— He's the only person I know here."
Daaynal nodded, then looked up."Raaevik K’Vass.”
The name rang out across the hall, and the cheering quieted instantly.
Raaevik stepped forward from the shadows, approaching them with measured steps.He dropped to one knee at the base of the stairs, fist pressed to his chest.
"My Emperor."
"Rise."Daaynal waited until Raaevik stood before continuing."I understand there was some excitement during the retrieval.The transport shuttle was disabled?"
Raaevik nodded, his face impassive.
"Sabotaged, my lord.The cause is under investigation."
"And yet my match arrived safely."Daaynal's voice was warm with approval."Your quick thinking preserved what is most precious to the Empire.I thank you.”
An odd expression flickered across Raaevik's face—barely there, too fast to identify.Surprise?“I live to serve, your majesty.”
"Good.The safety of the future Empress is paramount."Daaynal turned back to Emily."You see?You are well protected.Raaevik is one of my finest warriors.His loyalty is absolute."
She looked between them—the Emperor, radiant with power and certainty, and Raaevik, stone-faced and rigid.Then she thought about how he’d been when he’d pressed her against that wall in the alley.“He was certainly… thorough in the pursuit of his duty.”
“Now.Many wish to meet you," Daaynal said, releasing her hand and offering his arm instead."The heads of the clans and the war-commanders of the fleet are all eager to welcome their future Empress."
She took his arm, and the silk of her gown whispered against the floor as they turned.The crowd parted ahead of them, a new path opening toward a side chamber where she could see clusters of more aliens waiting.
She didn't want to go.She didn't want to shake more hands or force more smiles.She just wanted to go home to Barnaby and her little apartment.
But she didn't have a choice.
The back of her neck prickled, and she glanced over her shoulder.Raaevik hadn't moved.The crowd surged around him, but his eyes were on her.Something in them made her breath catch.Then it was gone, and he was stone again.
But she’d seen it.
He didn't look like a guard anymore.He looked like trouble.
* * *
Raaevik hitthe corridor at a pace that dared anyone to get in his way.
The Great Hall was behind him, but the scent of her clung to his nose and coated his tongue.Lilac and something sweeter, something that made his back teeth ache.
Mine.
The thought filled his mind, trying to push all other thoughts out.He ignored it as he bypassed the lift to the level his quarters were on.He couldn’t go there.If he stopped moving, if he had to stare at four gray walls and think about the emperor touching Emily, he’d put his fist through a bulkhead.
His boots clattered against the deck plates as he ran.Junior warriors and crew scrambled out of his path, flattening themselves against the corridor walls.He didn't see them.He saw Daaynal's hand settling against Emily's waist.The roar of the court, toasting a union that made his vision blur red.
He was the Emperor’s bodyguard.
So why did he want to rip the emperor's throat out with his teeth?
The training deck was three levels down.The air cyclers hummed louder here, scrubbing the atmosphere of sweat and old leather.Better.Cleaner.
A handful of warriors sparred in the center circle.They looked up as he entered, movements stuttering when they clocked the uniform and the promise of violence written in every line of his frame.
