[He finishes with the clasp as quickly and practically as he can manage without jostling her. It seems as though Ardyn could've stabbed her with a knife off the buffet table and caused less harm.]
A couple of minutes ago, I would've said you walking out of the celebration with that-- [As he speaks, he gestures at what the glossy silver of her dress is hiding, whatever it really is. Whatever about it makes the skin at the back of his neck prickle.] --was unlikely. I'm starting to feel I'm five steps behind whatever's really going on here. The Chancellor wouldn't risk an incident without a reason.
[It's deliberate, the way he doesn't touch her with the finger he points with, the way he starts to shift back to reclaim distance. If someone were to see them having their own private tête-à-tête, they'd start asking questions and Nyx has enough of his own he's biting back, like what that black stuff is doing on her at all.
He's not expecting her to lean in as he leans out and, thinking it might be another case of lightheadedness, his hand goes to her other shoulder, holding her should she waver off-balance. He squeezes lightly. A command he's done a poor job of following comes to mind: Your orders are to protect her.]
How bad is it? Be honest.
[And don't tell him it's nothing--there's no point in her talking to His Majesty if she blacks out before she gets there.]
no subject
A couple of minutes ago, I would've said you walking out of the celebration with that-- [As he speaks, he gestures at what the glossy silver of her dress is hiding, whatever it really is. Whatever about it makes the skin at the back of his neck prickle.] --was unlikely. I'm starting to feel I'm five steps behind whatever's really going on here. The Chancellor wouldn't risk an incident without a reason.
[It's deliberate, the way he doesn't touch her with the finger he points with, the way he starts to shift back to reclaim distance. If someone were to see them having their own private tête-à-tête, they'd start asking questions and Nyx has enough of his own he's biting back, like what that black stuff is doing on her at all.
He's not expecting her to lean in as he leans out and, thinking it might be another case of lightheadedness, his hand goes to her other shoulder, holding her should she waver off-balance. He squeezes lightly. A command he's done a poor job of following comes to mind: Your orders are to protect her.]
How bad is it? Be honest.
[And don't tell him it's nothing--there's no point in her talking to His Majesty if she blacks out before she gets there.]