“Our wives come from backgrounds as different as exist,” the commander said. “While they are very good friends, they don’t have many friends in common.”
“There, you’re caught, Gissandre! And don’t think I missed you helping her cheat, Mels!” Princess Brandese exclaimed and then burst out laughing. “That piece was clearly in the green zone and you knocked it over into red. I’m done with you both!” Brande stood and smoothed down her green dress.
“Don’t go!” Giss said. “It was just that one time.”
“What a shockingly good liar you are. I fear for your husband. Truly.”
“You don’t need to. You have no idea the sort of trouble I get into if I lie to him. I’ve given that up entirely.”
“Now, that is intriguing,” Brandese said, strolling over to the men.
“Cheating?” Lord Calex asked.
“Yes, and of the worst kind. Done to lose! How will I ever get good enough to best you, Ev, if no one challenges me when I’m trying to practice?”
“Unlikely either way, firebird.”
“My love, the picture of humility,” she said with a smirk before taking a sip from his glass. “It seems you’re not the best at everything, though. Gissandre and I are so alike we might be twins, but she says her husband’s broken her of her bad habits and they’ve only been married a few hours. And here I am with all mine intact.”
Evston Calex raised a brow. “Hmm. Maybe while he’s here Larsinc should observe and share some tips as I try to correct your persistently bad behavior.”
Brandese set the glass down, shaking her head. “Good night, everyone.”
When she was gone, Melsint wandered over with a cushion which she dropped casually on the floor near her husband’s feet and sat down on it. The commander’s hand went instantly to her head, stroking her hair and petting her.
Gissandre started to move one of the heavy chairs, and Linc stood and left the circle to get it for her. He moved his chair back, so he could set hers next to his.
When she was seated, Linc returned to the conversation about the wars in the Outer Banks, pausing to encourage Giss to join in when she had a question.
When she slipped out and came back with cups of tea for everyone, he passed them around. He reached for a cup, but she swapped it for a different one and he realized hers was the special brew to avoid pregnancy.
“I’m surprised you know that area,” Lord Evston said when the conversation drifted to the slave trade on Mondi. “Not a normal place for Ketturan warriors to find themselves, is it?”
“No, I’m an expert on the slave trade for other reasons.”
“Were you a slave?”
Linc shook his head.
“Not for lack of effort by the traders I’d imagine. You must have had good protectors as a child.”
“No, but my family was good at staying out of reach.”
“It’s lucky the slave traders weren’t as good at hunting as you are now.”
“I’m no hunter,” Larsinc said, pouring the rest of his spirits into his teacup. They were good company, he decided with the first swallow.
“We heard you were. The prey being a girl at university with hair like moonlight. This one,” the lord said with a nod.
Giss’s cup stalled halfway to her mouth. “I wouldn’t characterize myself as prey.”
“No? What do you say, Larsinc? Prey or not?”
“Ev,” the commander said, the warning in his tone clear.
The lord held out a hand. “He’s Ketturan. They don’t ruffle like the peacocks from court.”
“Why would my view of my wife be your business?” Linc asked.
