Pharis
It felt more like years than days until I saw Raewyn again.
Just as before, I summoned her to the library and asked her to conceal herself on the second floor as I took a meeting with Lady Glenna.
I’d only met the woman once, at the Opening Night Ball during the last Assemblage. As it had also been the night I’d met Raewyn, I barely remembered my encounter with her.
After being announced by Glave, she swept into the library like a queen, her head held high, a proud expression on her refined features.
“Lady Glenna,” I said and added a little dip of the chin.
Her expression changed, warming and turning flirtatious.
“Prince Pharis,” she said, dragging out the “s” sound a bit at the end. “My esteem shines upon you.”
“And mine upon you, my lady.”
Dipping into a deep curtsy, she bent forward until the low neckline of her dress revealed the tops of her breasts and the hollow between them.
She straightened with a flash of her eyes that said,I know you looked.
“Or should I say, Pharis, King of the Dark Court?” she asked in a teasing tone.
“There is no such court, and I am not a king,” I reprimanded her. “You know it’s treason to even speak such words.”
“Well Iamknown to be daring,” she said with laughter in her eyes.
“Besides, I doubt you’ll report me to the King, considering the circumstances.”
Aware of Raewyn listening in, I said, “You’re right. I have no wish for either of us to lose our heads.”
Let’s take this conversation internal in case of listening ears.
Lady Glenna looked around as if to indicate the utter emptiness of the library.
The great and powerful Pharis has spies among his staff?she teased.I’m shocked they’d dare to displease you. I know I wouldn’t.
Everything this woman said dripped with innuendo. In my younger days, I might have responded to it. Now it only irritated me.
There’s a reason I asked you to come today, Lady Glenna.
One of her brows lifted, and her lips pulled together in a pretty pout.
Anything you wish, My Prince. It would be my honor to serve you in any way.
She was relentless. Was she angling for the non-existent title of Queen of the Dark Court or was she just trying to be persuasive and soften me up for her father?
I got my answer as her eyes roamed over my body, an appreciative smile curving her lips. She licked her lower one in a slow seductive way.
Doesn’t it get lonely here in exile?she asked.My company would befarmore gratifying than that of your retinue.
Though Lady Glenna was beautiful, and my love life these days was restricted to ink on a page, I felt nothing.
No stirring in any pertinent body parts. No increase in pulse at all.
Shaded stars.
I had no desire for anyone but Raewyn. How inconvenient.
