Chapter 18
Romival
He was in love.
Romival’s eyes knew the moment he saw Holly that she was his mate. As was the way of the domini. He even appreciated and adored everything he knew about her thus far. His little human had yet to disappoint him.
But now, he finally saw the true vakara hidden underneath her skittish ways. As it was with the best warriors, her ire wasn’t raised for herself. It was raised for others. In this case, for a sweet little female that had overheard something she apparently did not like.
He didn’t know why. Nothing they said was untrue or insulting.
Hattie was tiny and Tuvo was huge; the size difference between them would probably prevent him from mating her at all.
Especially considering how big Holly considered Romival, and he was shorter and leaner than Tuvo.
Hattie, the shortest, softest human, would likely be ripped apart if Tuvo tried to mate her.
Somehow, however, hearing that was upsetting. And seeing her friend upset had lit a righteous rage in Romival’s Holly.
And it was glorious to behold.
She had stormed into the Council Chamber, all fire and fury, deliberately delivering food that Hattie must have made in the worst way possible. All the while, glaring down First Warrior as though she might very well lift the cart and bash it over his head for his insult.
And she was a new color.
Romival loved her pink color. He would always love to see it on her, especially knowing it meant that she was experiencing pleasure.
But he was excited and aroused by the new color. Vibrant, pulsing, angry, deep red.
It covered her cheeks, down her neck. It seemed to make her gray-green eyes flash brighter as they glared with the full force of a temper he didn’t know existed. But was a genuine pleasure to see. Especially since he got to see it not aimed at him.
Red was a good color on his Holly, and one he didn’t think he’d see often. Not if this anger only rose in defense of others. He stood, ready to chase her down so he could enjoy it to the fullest as long as it lasted, but Atem’s growl brought him up short.
Dominani was snarling at Tuvo who looked like he had swallowed a fistful of needles and they were shredding him apart on the inside.
They hadn’t realized the females were there.
Since food was coming, they had decided not to speak of anything sensitive and wait until it arrived.
Peony had needed to seek the elimination room, and, for such a short trip, she didn’t need to worry about her separation anxiety, so Atem had elected to stay behind to give out his warning.
Though, clearly, it had come too late for Tuvo.
“Forgive me, vi Dominani,” he ground out through clenched teeth, his head lowered in shame, calling Atem by his honorific when he only ever addressed him by name. “I did not know she was listening. I did not know she was bringing the food.”
“Which is the only thing saving you in this moment,” Atem snarled.
“What did he say that upset her so?” Havali asked curiously. “Surely, she can’t be blind to the fact that she barely even reaches your chest.”
“Erm, guys?”
The four of them all turned to see Peony stepping inside, frowning at the mess that was dripping off the serving cart and onto the glossy stone floor.
“What’s going on?”
Atem growled at Tuvo even as he held out an arm for his mate. She willingly, and apparently reflexively, allowed him to pull her into his side even as her eyes looked at the spilled food then up to Tuvo who clearly looked guilty.
“Tuvo has insulted Hattie’s size,” Romival offered bluntly since no one else seemed inclined to.
And he knew it was bad because Peony’s eyes widened and she jerked back from Atem, staring at Tuvo with wide eyes, exclaiming – “What!?” – so loud it echoed.
“Ah, he really has offended her then,” Havali said thoughtfully, grinning between the unfortunate Tuvo and the dismayed Peony. “Well, now I know better than to remark on a human’s size.”
“Of course, you don’t-!” Peony cut herself off with a growl of frustration before leveling a finger at Tuvo, her own face beginning to redden in anger. “It’s one thing to have a preference, Tuvo, but you can’t just go around saying things like that!”
Turning on her heel, she practically jogged from the room. No doubt, chasing after Hattie. Atem looked even angrier that Tuvo’s comment had driven his mate away from him.
Romival still wasn’t sure why Hattie was so upset.
He called Holly his ‘little’ warrior all the time, and he knew Atem remarked on the small size of his mate.
Neither of them appeared to mind. Maybe it was something only mates could say to each other.
Or maybe the insult had been that much more direct immediately following his declaration to never mate her.
“Let’s hurry up and finish this plan,” Atem said, giving Romival a look reminding him to sit back down.
As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t just go tearing off after Holly yet. They had gathered here for a reason and seeing to the human’s safety came before making sure they weren’t angry. Romival did regret he wouldn’t get to see Holly’s red coloration up close.
With a sigh, he sat back down, and they all got to work. Though Tuvo was considerably more subdued now.