“Human allergies are a little different, from what I understand,” he says. “It could be anything at any time, and it changes from person to person.”
“How do you know—”
He gives me a pointed look. “I read the broadsheets, remember? You’d learn quite a lot if you would too.”
I roll my eyes and focus my attention on the tree he indicated. It’s large and wide with long, swaying branches that reach nearly to the grassy floor around it. Being raised on the beach, I never took much interest in trees, but I think this one is called a willow. If he’s right about humans and allergies, then I desperately hope my meeting will be held out there. It’s my best chance at avoiding suspicion.
“I should get back to my room,” Podaxis says. “It’s almost time, and I’ll be expected to chaperone your meeting, butnotbe found within your bedroom beforehand.”
I swallow hard and glance at the clock. He’s right. It’s a quarter until noon. All I can manage is a nod as I flip the latch and open the window.
“You’ll be all right,” he whispers, then begins to climb down the wall.
In his absence, the weight of my task presses heavy on my heart.
* * *
Jeremy comesmere minutes before noon with Podaxis at his side. I meet them in the hallway, and Podaxis offers me a greeting in a less-than-inconspicuous tone. “Your Highness! So lovely to see you today.”
“Yes, Podaxis,” I say, my tone far more nonchalant. “Lovely indeed.”
Jeremy doesn’t seem to notice and leads us down the hall. I hold my breath as we approach the doors that lead to the garden, but my stomach plummets as we bypass them completely. There goes that plan. Which means it’s either the library or the parlor.
We pass the hall to the front door and the nave too, then come to a room just on the other side. Jeremy opens the door to reveal a modest space with a couch, a tea table, and a set of chairs. This must be the parlor then. With bated breath, I enter the room with Podaxis at my side and find Dorian standing at the window. It looks out at the garden, but with a different view than mine.
He turns toward me with a stiff bow. “Your Highness.” He’s outfitted in the same black jacket and trousers as yesterday. I’m guessing they’re required to always remain in uniform.
Jeremy closes the door, leaving me, Podaxis, and Dorian alone. I should be grateful to find no one else in attendance—the brotherhood in particular—but instead, I feel as if my stomach might lurch straight out of my throat. I curl my fingers into fists to keep them from shaking, but I otherwise can’t bring myself to move as I stare at the boy before me. My mind draws a blank. Shouldn’t I curtsy? No, what am I thinking? I’m supposed to walk right up to him, frame his face with my hands, and press my lips against his. That’s how I’ve envisioned this moment over and over in my head.
It’s now or never, I say to myself.End this now.
With a deep breath, I gather my courage and take a step—
“We’re waiting on one more,” he says, freezing me in place. Just then, the door opens to reveal Glint McCreedy.
“So sorry I’m late,” he says and takes a seat before the fire. He wears a bright blue floral-patterned suit, his hoofed feet peeking out from the hem of his pants and polished to a brilliant shine. His orange mustache looks even curlier than it did yesterday. Crossing one leg over his knee, he opens his notebook. “Act as you would if I weren’t here. I am to document this meeting in its most natural form.”
I gape at him. How the shells am I to deliver my deadly kiss in front of a reporter? I certainly hadn’t considered his presence.
“Please, have a seat, Your Highness,” Dorian says, extending a hand toward the sitting area as he begins walking toward it.
With trembling steps, I make my way to the tea table and claim a seat on the couch. I shift as far to one end as I can.
He stares at the empty space next to me for a moment before settling down at the opposite end. His posture is stiff, his expression somber. He certainly doesn’t look like a man about to interview a potential bride. After dinner last night, I’m sure I’m at the bottom of his list of candidates anyway. He clears his throat and faces me. “Are you finding your room—hells below, what is that?” He shoots to his feet as Podaxis climbs onto one of the empty chairs.
I look from Dorian to my friend, realizing he hadn’t noticed him until now.
Glint’s lips stretch into an amused grin as he scrawls in his notebook.
“Don’t mind me,” Podaxis says in a flat, grumbling tone. “I’m just her chaperone.”
“Chaperone,” Dorian echoes, shoulders tense. The way his hands are bunched at his sides makes him look as if he’s prepared to fight my friend.
“Yes, my chaperone,” I say, trying to sound placating so he’ll sit back down. I’ll never be able to proceed with my task if he’s so on edge. With Glint here, I’m not sure I’ll be able to proceed at all. “Podaxis is like a brother to me.”
His eyes meet mine. “Your brother?”
I nod. “We grew up together, back when I was a seal.”
