Nykyrian gave her a shuttered stare. "I can't stand on the street. Too many people would like to shoot me."
His low, evenly toned voice cut through her. He seemed to delight in constantly reminding her of the precariousness of his life and how many people were looking to end it. Granted he had been a little nicer since they made love, but he was still being difficult.
With a sigh, Kiara followed after him, shocked when he led her straight inside the restaurant. She caught the angry glare of the people who were waiting before them. Heat crept up her cheeks.
The maitre d' looked up from his podium, his smile bright. "How nice to see you Commander, your party is waiting."
Kiara gazed from the maitre d' back to Nykyrian. A sharp jolt of surprise from the maitre d's words rippled through her. "Comm ander?" she asked.
Nykyrian shrugged. "My rank in the League."
"You were a commander?" she gasped, amazed he had attained such a high rank.
The maitre d' smiled at her. "He saved my son's life at the Battle of Wymon!"
Nykyrian shifted in discomfort. "Hardly. All I did was warn him of an incoming bomb."
The maitre d' smiled. "Had you not, he'd be dead now."
Nykyrian rolled his eyes at Kiara. She stifled her laughter. At least Nykyrian appeared to be in a better mood now than a little while ago. She was still shocked she had actually managed to drag him out of the house. The entire trip here, she had expected him to turn about and return home.
"I took the liberty of having your favorite dish prepared for you and your wife. The others have already placed their orders," the maitre d' said, before leading them through the dining room.
Kiara followed the maitre d' past the intricate rows of crowded tables. He led her to the back of the restaurant where the private dining rooms were reserved for prominent guests.
A twinge of discomfort ran along her spine as she remembered the fact her husband was a prince. She wasn't sure if she cared for the idea at all.
The maitre d' opened a door and ushered them in. Kiara hesitated as she recognized Emperor Aros seated at the table with Nykyrian's mother and aunt.
She barely heard the faint curse Nykyrian muttered under his breath. Looking over her shoulder in concern, Kiara saw the anger burning in his eyes. Obviously, Nykyrian wasn't quite ready to meet his father.
Cairistiona smiled and came to her feet. "There you are," she breathed happily. "We had begun to worry you had changed your mind."
Nykyrian couldn't have betrayed any fewer emotions if he were a statue. Kiara was tempted to kick him. The maitre d' excused himself and left them to a modicum of privacy.
Aros rose more slowly. He clutched his hands in a way that told Kiara he wasn't used to being uncertain about himself. "I hope you don't mind my presence. When Carie told me she had found you, I insisted that I attend as well."
Kiara took Nykyrian's hand and gave an encouraging squeeze. His fingers were icy cold.
She could almost swear they trembled. For several awkward seconds, no one spoke.
Nykyrian finally broke the tense silence. "This is my wife, Kiara." Aros smiled. "We've already met, but it is a pleasure to see you again."
Kiara returned his smile as she curtsied. "It's an honor to see you again, Your Majesty."
Aros blustered gruffly. "None of that, my dear. You're family now. I hate all that posturing and bowing anyway. It's demeaning!"
Kiara laughed at his words, feeling a little more at ease about the dinner.
Aros pulled a chair out next to him for Kiara. "Come child, have a seat. You shouldn't be standing."
Kiara glanced at Nykyrian to see how he was dealing with his newfound family. As usual, she couldn't tell. Without a word, she moved toward his father and the chair Aros held for her. His mother and aunt exchanged worried frowns and each kept looking at Nykyrian nervously while he seated himself in a chair next to Kiara's.
Kiara took a deep breath, wondering what she could do to helpfully interfere, but not enrage Nykyrian to the point where he would get up and leave.
"We will no doubt have beautiful grandchildren, wouldn't you say, Carie?" the emperor asked, pushing Kiara's seat up to the table.
Cairistiona smiled. "They will be the envy of everyone," she agreed.
Nykyrian shifted uncomfortably beside her. Kiara placed her hand over the one he held in his lap. He looked up at her with something that appeared to be pride.
They remained quiet while their meals were brought in and placed before them.
Nykyrian held Kiara's soothing hand while berating himself for com ing along on this stupid expedition. He didn't know these people, and he wasn't really sure he even wanted to. Worse, his temper was slipping.
He had wanted this moment for m ost of his life. A brief chance meeting where he could talk to his parents, have them look at him with love, have them accept him. Now that he had it, Nykyrian didn't know what to do with it.