"This is my Beta, Oliver," Braxton said, gesturing to the man on his right. "And this is my head, Gamma, Gavin."
Kira acknowledged each of them with a warm smile and a small nod. The two men bowed their heads in return.
"Welcome, Your Highness," they said together.
"Thank you," Kira replied. Then, gently, "Although, if it's all the same to you, I'd be grateful if you'd drop the 'Your Highness' for now. Please."
The two men glanced at one another, then at Braxton, uncertain. Braxton gave them a small, easy signal with his eyes, and they relaxed, dipping their heads in acceptance.
Kira didn't explain why. She couldn't, not without unravelling all over again. But the truth was that every single time someone called her Your Highness, it dragged her straight back. To Derek. To Dravengard. To the cold fury in his eyes and the words that had broken her open. The title felt like a wound now, and she could not bear to keep pressing on it.
