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One of the reasons for those changes walked out of the house Reyhana wore a long, simple summer dress and sandals
Ranon heard Janos’s sharp command that stopped Khollie from a joyful leap He watched the way his brother went down on one knee to be closer to the cowering dog’s height and pointed to Reyhana, who nodded as if agreeing with Janos’s words He watched Khollie straighten up, no longer afraid once he understood that Janos’s sharpness had been intended to protect hi into Reyhana’s freshly bathed arms
And he saw the way Janos looked at Reyhana, saw the brush of fingers against her hand when Janos rose to take Khollie to the laundry room for a bath
A hard choice for a youngReyhana was the Shalador Queen with the eneration, and it would be a couple of years or ht It would cost Janos his life if an iirl in any way
But he knehat it was like to be young and have a woman hold your heart After all, Shira had been sixteen when he’d fallen in love with her
Reyhana walked toward them, and Ranon watched for the moment when the other men picked up her psychic scent and realized she was a Queen And he wondered why the men tensed, especially Hikaeda and Ferall
“Gentle her head in a small bow
Ranon made the introductions
“Lady Reyhana,” Ferall replied as thevow
“We have about half an hour before the meal,” Reyhana said “Would you like to sit out here and have a glass of ale while you wait? It’s a lovely spot when there’s a breeze like there is today”
“That would be welcome,” Ferall said
Reyhana turned her head, her eyes having the distant look the Blood sometimes had when they communicated on a psychic thread
“Are you staying here?” Rikoma asked her
“Yes I have the privilege of working as part of Lady Cassidy’s court to learn Protocol and the Old Ways of the Blood, as well as the rights and duties of a Queen and court It’s very exciting to be a part of this new beginning for all our people”
Elendill looked past her shoulder “You have many servants here?”
Reyhana laughed softly “The Queen’s court acts as a training ground We have a butler, a housekeeper and her assistant, and a cook The foote ant training in doet extra help”
“There aren’t many aristo houses anymore that need servants,” Hikaeda said
“No, but there are boardinghouses and inns,” Reyhana said “And there are people like Prince Spere and Prince Haele who share a cottage in the Queen’s square rather than having the whole court living here Being members of the First Circle, their residence is cared for by the servants here, but there are others ould be willing to pay to have so done Aristo houses are not the only places that need such skills”
Reyhana’s face, like her voice, shone with enthusias a sound, she looked behind her, then looked at the ood humor “Please step aside to leave a clear path to the table The girls are still getting used to being around Warlord Princes, and they get nervous But they’re getting better and drop fewer things We’ve only had one broken glass this week”
Birdie, as now assistant housekeeper and assistant trainer of irl in training, carried the tray of glasses
Watching Copper’s hands shake as she glanced at the men and crept after Birdie, Ranon held his breath Then pitcher and tray were on the table and both girls were retreating back to the house