The woman takes a deep inhale of the shisha, her next words dripping in sarcasm, “with a status of employ under His Grace, surely you’ve caught the eyes of other Knowledge men at your court. Someone other than our Prince?”
“Come off it, Danicka,” the Discerni woman sitting next to me quips, her own eyes narrowing on the dark haired woman across from us.
Danicka shrugs, “I’m just curious as to why she spends so much time here and not in her own Court.”
“Lady Alexis just got back from court in Red Falls,” the woman next to me states, “are you going to accuse her of seducing the men there, too?”
I turn to the Discerni next to me, taking in her light brown hair and soft features, committing her to memory. Her brows are furrowed and looking squarely at the woman across from us, seemingly not as impressed with Danicka as I am.
“Perhaps,” Danicka shrugs, taking a drink of her toddy.
The balls on this woman.
I hold back my scowl and remain unnerved.
The Discerni woman next to me laughs, “oh, Danicka. Don’t take your anger out on Lady Alexis because our Prince has never laid eyes on you.”
Danicka sends her a hard look and stands abruptly, walking away from our group of Ladies.
“Ignore her,” the woman besides me laughs again, brown eyes finding mine with a smile.
“I don’t think we’ve formally met,” I extend my hand, watching her smile widen.
“Jaclyn.”
“Jaclyn,” I repeat, nodding in thanks as she tips her mug in salute. We both promptly finish the rest of our drinks together, our grins wide as we look at the other in approval.
“A drinker after my own heart,” she laughs, “shall we get another?”
“Without a doubt,” I stand up with a nod.
Jaclyn snakes her hand through my arm as we walk to the barrels in the middle of the room.
“I saw you tilt against Lady Alanna the last time you were here,” she smiles, “I hate to admit that I was surprised when you beat her.”
“As was I,” I laugh in response, the two of us making our way through the crowd and taking our empty mugs to the barrels.
“Your dress truly is amazing. I have no doubt that your seamstress will be receiving new orders for the rest of the months and beyond.”
“She deserves it,” I smile and grab two empty glasses in front of the toddy barrel. “Will you indulge me if I ask you to drink this straight?”
Her brown eyes sparkle as she tips her head in a nod, “of course.”
“Cheers,” I grin.
We clank the glasses in another salute and down the amber liquid in full.
“Can you indulge me in something else, Lady Jaclyn,” I ask, extending my hand for her empty glass.
Jaclyn smiles and reaches over for our two empty mugs, filling them up to the brim, “what’s on your mind?”
We both turn back to the boisterous crowd, watching from the barrels as we sip from our drinks.
“This may seem a bit random, but I’m actually curious about Lord Daniel. He was present during our travel to Pyre and it’s been a pleasure getting to know him over the last few days. He’s an exceptionally kind Lord…”
Jaclyn nods to herself with a small smile, “I think you mean to ask how a Discerni man as handsome and polite as him is unwed?”
“Well yes,” I shake my head, still completely baffled.
