Amara, Niko, & Tegan
Niko, while normally not a stupid man, was blissfully ignorant of a lot of things. Particularly things that had to do with his relationship, his royal obligations, and his attendance at this ball. He didn't think about what people would think of him bringing Tegan to the Queen's Ball. The statement it would make. The meaning it would imply. To him, it was simply a no-brainer. Tegan was his soulmate, his mate, everything that mattered. Niko felt like it was a known fact by now that they were a forever type deal. He knew his mother didn't approve but she hadn't forbidden him from seeing her which in his eyes meant she understood and accepted.
He had no idea how wrong, how stupid, he was.
Tegan looked beautiful as he led her through the ballroom and introduced her to several nobles. He had assured her when she was choosing what to wear that she would be the most beautiful woman there regardless of what she wore which had earned him a slap and roll of eyes from his sister. Mika had helped Tegan pick out something perfect and Niko was grateful to her. He had been trying to help ease his phoenix's nerves but realized that he (as a man) didn't really understand and therefore couldn't help. Now that they were here, though, he felt like everything was under control. Perfect. Nothing to worry about.
Niko had just been thinking of tugging his girlfriend off for a dance just for themselves when someone suddenly stopped in front of them. His gaze fell on Amara, someone he'd known his entire life. Offering her a smile as she curtsied to him, he nodded at the greeting. "Hello Amara," he returned, his smile familiar but not inappropriate. He kept his arm looped through Tegan's and was entirely oblivious to the pointed snub the lioness offered his girlfriend. Niko had known the woman for so long and she had never been anything but polite. Demure. Sure, his mother had mentioned a time or two that she was a perfect match for him and their families had always had an unspoken agreement, but Niko hadn't ever felt anything but a passing attraction to the lioness. Despite Amara's own adoration, he was ignorant to any ulterior motives.
"It's been too long," he added, though his gaze had shifted from Amara down to Tegan. The shift in his expression was instant and obvious as all the emotion he felt for the blonde was instantly written plainly across his face. "Have you met my girlfriend?" he asked, kissing Tegan's hand gently before looking back to his old friend. "This is Tegan. Tegan, this is a good friend Amara," he introduced with that same oblivious smile.