“It is important if it continues to affect your future.”
“Then I will address it when it is needed. It is not something that concerns you.”
Movement down in the maze caught her attention, and Maya noticed Naomi and the blond walking together. She nodded toward them. “If you really want her, you’d best not leave her with the blond. He’s made his interest in her pretty clear.”
“Theblond?” Cosmo turned to look at her. “Did you just call Apollo, one of the best healers we’ve ever had, andthebest person I’ve ever known, theblond?”
Maya looked at him. “If that’s the name of the guy chatting with Naomi, then yes. But so far, he’s been nothing but insufferable and patronizing.”
For the first time since they had met, Cosmo looked unhappy. “You haven’t exactly made the best impression on anyone, Maya. And Apollo is a father, so he isnotbeing patronizing. Defusing situations and trying to keep people calmis not only something he does for a living, but something he spends all of his personal life doing. You’venoidea what he’s been through.”
Maya’s gaze went back to the couple walking through the maze, rather contented looks on their faces. “He doesn’t look like a father.”
Cosmo scoffed, “What does a father look like?”
Maya paused. “I don’t know. But … why is he here if he already has someone?”
“He doesn’t, Maya. My sister left him years ago. And his daughter has virtually no memories of her.”
Chapter 3
An Indirect Apology
Maya froze, not sure what to say to that revelation. Her mind quickly processed what Cosmo had just said, and she mused, “So you two are already related through his daughter. How old is she?”
“Not yet 10,” Cosmo kept his face expressionless as he looked out the window.
Noticing that he wasn’t giving her an age, Maya knew better than to ask for details. But that brought another question to mind. “How would he feel about you sharing that kind of personal information with a stranger?”
“Oh,” Cosmo smiled, “he would be very angry. It’s his story, but I still had my own role in it. And to protect him, I’ve deemed it necessary to make you aware of a few facts. Although I’m not sure that you will be any kinder, considering the way you treat people you care about.”
Maya released a loud sigh, deciding not to talk about a subject that would almost certainly lead to more arguing. Since she wasn’t working, she had no desire to get emotionally engaged any further than she already had been. Steering the conversation in a different direction, Maya mused, “So you have a connection to the kingdom already and haven’t exploited it. That makes it sound like you and your family aren’t interested in overthrowing our kingdom.”
After a moment of silence, a hearty laugh filled the room. “You just speak whatever you are thinking, don’t you?”
“I’ve been told it’s one of my worst qualities,” Maya said with a slight smile on her lips. “But I can only be myself.”
This time, Cosmo let out a loud sigh. “It’s tragic. Just a few tweaks and I would definitely be interested in having you for a mate. Unfortunately, the ways in which we aren’t compatiblecreate a chasm that would make our coupling a catastrophic disaster.” He looked over at her without turning to face her.
“I … almost wish I could say I felt the same. But I see no benefit in lying.” Maya put her hands behind her back and watched the couple moving around the maze. “As it is, I am still curious to know why you are so interested in my business partner. I have a fairly solid understanding of who she is and why she is so important, but I fail to see how you could see her value. Especially since you have such an aversion to being serious.”
“An aversion, you say,” his smile was soft. “Perhaps I do. But I’ve seen those who are serious, as well as passionate, and I prefer peace to the stress and pain associated with seriousness and passion.”
“And yet you are interested in finding a mate,” Maya pointed out the contradiction, and turned to see his reaction.
“Ah,” his expression shifted to one a bit more mischievous, “that kind of passion is one I quite thoroughly enjoy, and I hear that the mate bond makes it so much more enjoyable.” He looked out the window, and Maya knew he was watching Naomi. “I am quite eager to experience it. However, it’s the only kind of passion that I will consider. Other kinds of passion are more likely to burn you than fuel you.”
Maya resumed looking out the window as the other couple strolled around the maze, laughing and seeming to be having a good time. They were apparently carefree, a feeling she had not experienced in a very long time.
“You look sad,” Cosmo said, drawing her attention back to him. When she turned to look at him, he was watching her instead of Naomi.
“I am reflecting.”
“May I ask what has you in such a contemplative state?”
“Life.”
“That is a pretty large pool of topics,” he was smiling at her, gently pressing her for more details.
