The emperor leaned in toward Emily, and the candlelight caught the hard angles of his face.Daaynal wore warrior leathers tonight, not court robes, the plain band of his crown against his dark hair the only thing that marked his status.Which only made him stand out more against the finery of the lords in attendance.But he didn’t look at them.Instead, most of his attention was on the tiny female at his side.He asked Emily questions about her work at the shelter and listened, actually listened, to her answers.
He was a good man.
Which was thedraanthingproblem.
If the emperor had been cruel, if he'd pawed at her or dismissed her opinions, Raaevik could have hated him.Could have made the math work…she deserves better than him, I am justified.
But Daaynal K'Saan was the male who'd called Raaevik "brother" when he'd pinned the guard insignia on his chest.
His jaw ached.No surprise, he was clenching it hard enough to crack a molar.
To his left, further along the wall, Thyaar stood at the next guard post.He was watching the room with the same flat attentiveness as Raaevik, but every few minutes his gaze would cut sideways.Checking.Measuring.
Raaevik didn't catch his gaze.He didn't need to.He felt Thyaar's attention like a blade between his shoulder blades.
The noise of the dinner covered a low-frequency comms channel between the guard posts.Thyaar's subvocalized words were barely a murmur in his ear.
"She is performing," Raaevik said, his lips barely moving.
"It is a convincing performance."
"That is why it is impressive."
At the high table, the first course was cleared and the second brought out.A server approached Miranda Evans's seat, and his attention shifted.Emily's mother sat three chairs down from the Emperor, wearing a silver gown that matched the silver-blonde fall of her hair.She had been preening all night, basking in the reflected glory of her daughter's position.But then she leaned forward, tapping her glass with a manicured nail.
"Your Imperial Majesty."Her voice carried and the table quieted.Daaynal looked over, his expression polite."I must say, looking at my daughter...she was born for this role, wasn't she?I always knew she would ascend to greatness."
"Emily conducts herself with grace," Daaynal agreed.
"Indeed."Miranda smiled, reminding Raaevik of thedeearinthat got the cream."And as her mother, I find myself thinking about the future and the structure of the household.Ideally, the Empress mother would have a formal position at court.To assist with the transition and ensure standards are maintained."
The silence at the table changed from polite to stunned surprise as all eyes focused on the female who had dared to speak to the emperor in such a way.
Emily stiffened."Mother, I don't think?—"
"I was speaking to the Emperor, darling," Miranda cut her off, her eyes locked on Daaynal."Surely you agree, Majesty?A suite in the royal wing and a modest staff… Perhaps the title of Lady Steward?It would only be appropriate."
Daaynal set his wine glass down with a soft click, lips compressing in a line that would have anyone who knew him running for cover.
"Lady Evans," he said, his voice calm and the terran words precisely enunciated."We are grateful for your contribution to the Empire.You have raised a remarkable daughter, and for that, you have our thanks.”
Miranda beamed.
"However, I must make one thing clear,” he carried on, “Regardless of how things are done in human society, in Latharian culture, a mate bond is a singular contract.It does not extend to the kin of the bonded.When Emily joins my house, she becomes K'Saan.You remain Evans, and always will.”
Miranda's smile faltered."I...I don't understand."
“Let me put it another way," Daaynal said."Your daughter is marrying into the Empire.You are not.You will be provided with comfortable guest accommodations for the duration of your stay, of course.And transport back to Earth will be arranged at your convenience following the ceremony."
He picked up his glass again, signaling the end of the discussion.
The blood drained from Miranda's face.She opened her mouth, then closed it and inclined her head.
"Of course, Your Majesty," she choked out."You are too kind."
Raaevik bit back his grin.She’d overplayed her hand and knew it if her sour expression was anything to go by.
But she recovered fast.Within moments, her attention had shifted to Duke Kaarigan.Unmated, wealthy, and a duke — her obvious next target.Ducking her chin coyly, she touched her collarbone as she asked if he would pour her some wine.
