Amara, Niko, & Tegan
In true male fashion, Niko was oblivious to everything transpiring between the two women. It wasn't that he was stupid, not really, but he just didn't think of these backhanded compliments and games. His brain wasn't wired that way, which he knew was a product of not only his sex but also his privilege. He didn't have to worry about all the behind the scenes manipulations and machinations. Niko knew that his mother wasn't the biggest fan of his relationship but he was blissfully unaware of everything that had taken place without his knowledge that made this interaction even more awkward. At least for the two women. The prince was oblivious and just happy that he could introduce his soulmate to one of his oldest friends.
The feel of Tegan's arm around his as she spoke to Amara was a welcome one, though he internally cringed a bit when his girlfriend admitted to how long they had been together. It wasn't that Niko was hiding it, of course, everyone knew he was with Tegan. At least everyone who mattered. His mother had cautioned him against making an announcement back at court, however. He'd been irritated but knew when to push the queen and when to let her come to terms with things in her own time. Niko figured she just needed time to accept this was who he was meant to be with and in the meantime he could work on talking to Tegan about a more...formal situation. He knew a lot of things that came with his title weren't exactly things the phoenix had considered so he wanted to make sure she really understood what being with him meant. Plus, it gave him time to formulate the perfect proposal which she definitely deserved.
"Ah yes, well. My mother didn't think it was proper for an heir to brag with all the gushing I was doing about Tegan," he said, smiling as the phoenix pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth. He could tell she was being territorial, something the mate bond had brought out in her, and it sent a rush of heat through him. He never could control himself when she showed more animalistic signs. His expression was apologetic as he looked back to Amara. "I swear I wasn't keeping secrets. Not from you," he assured her with a wink. His arm was still tucked around Tegan though he had started to notice a bit of the tension between them. More so when Amara mentioned plans for the family. Tegan tensed, a fact he would have picked up on even if he hadn't been physically touching her. His thumb ran over the small of her back soothingly, though his expression didn't show any signs of this. "We definitely do all three need to spend more time together," he agreed instead, voice smooth as he glossed over Amara's implication that it should just be he and her. "I would love for Tegan to be at court more, to get to know the people I am close to there. Like yourself, specifically," he said with a smile. "Maybe we can arrange a time to visit? Would you be opposed to showing Tegan around? I would like for you two to be friends."