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“Oh, you startled me,” I said, half laughing and putting my hand on my chest to keep my erratically beating heart inside.
“I beg your pardon, that was not my intention,” he bowed slightly, looking contrite.
“It’s alright.” My heart was slowing down and the words that had startled me came back to me, making sense. “I didn’t know that,” I said, getting up.
“And how could you”—he smiled benevolently—“it’s one of the unwritten rules at the palace.”
He offered me his hand like a lord in one of the old movies and I put mine into his. His was so large, mine nearly disappeared in his soft grip.
“I found myself unable to concentrate on my work at the thought of seeing you again for dinner tonight, so I came here for a walk. And look”—he waved at me with his free hand—“there you are.”
He was a good-looking man, charming and easygoing, and I found myself not only attracted to him, but wishing I could be his mekarry. The idea of being with him didn’t revolt me at all.
“What a happy coincidence,” I remarked, catching myself giving him an honest smile.
“I hoped you would like the idea of having dinner with me again.” A dimple appeared on his right cheek.
“I do.” I nodded, unsure where he was going with this.
“Lady Natoi isn’t…”—his orange eyes turned upward as he seemed to be searching for the right word—“pressuring you to do so, is she?”
His perceptiveness earned him another point. I probably could have been honest with him, but since he was one of her friends, or at least his father was, I decided diplomacy would be the safer route. “Of course not. I was happy to accept your invitation.”
“Good.” He flashed his dimple again. “Would you like me to accompany you back to your quarters?”
“I think I would like to stay a little bit longer here,” I declined.
“As you wish. I’m looking very much forward to tonight.” He bowed and even kissed my hand before he walked away, turning once to throw me another grin, before a bend in the road swallowed him up.
“Looks like you have your pick of suiters, Lady Heather,” Daryus remarked behind me.
Startled, I turned to look into his inscrutable features, before I remembered my manners and sank into a curtsy. “Your Imperial Highness.”
He offered his hand for me to stand and a flutter moved through my stomach. I had forgotten how handsome Daryus was, even when he scowled like he did now.
“Sir Vodin invited me to have dinner with him tonight,” I explained.
“Did he?” Daryus’s voice was deep and gave as little indication of his emotions as his face did, which he kept rigid like a mask. “And has he claimed you as his mekarry yet?”
My face flushed even though I didn’t know why. “No.”
“But you’ve met him before?”
“Yes, him and his father and brother,” I said a bit defensively. “That’s what I do all day, meet men to see if I’m somebody’s mekarry.”
“I see.” He stood still, pinning me down with his teal eyes.
“I should probably… get ready,” I said after a moment of silence.
“For your… dinner with Sir Vodin?”
“No… I mean yes, that too. But Lady Natoi has another afternoon meeting planned for me.”
“With more Pandraxian males?” he checked.
I nodded.
“How does that make you feel?”
