I stretched both arms over my head and rolled my head around on my shoulders. Hmm, yes, better. Got blood flowing again. All right, let’s see, I’d completed that, and that, and now I might have enough time to review the demon portal wards. I remembered how to fix them—the solution had involved a three-day conference in the past—so I should be able to present it again.
Er, how, though? I had no magical abilities, no way to sayOh, such and such is the problem.
Hmm, now, if memory served, two particular mages had figured out the issue and reported it to me. I could take them with me to renew the wards and encourage them to do a deep analysis of the place in the process. Surely with the right hints they’d be able to figure out what should be done this time—
“—our Highness.” A hand landed on my shoulder.
I startled, looking up from the desk and right into Edwin’s eyes. Oh, he had that exasperated look, the one I knew well. He always wore it when I was running late for something.
“Snake, again?”
He retracted his hand. “Sorry?”
Vuheia help me. Right, that inside joke no longer worked with him. He didn’t get the reference, as he wasn’t my Edwin. At least, not yet. I deflated a little. “Sorry, inside joke. What am I late for?”
“Your fitting for the ball and your meeting with your business partners. As requested, I scheduled them together for efficiency’s sake.”
I glanced at the clock, then the daily planner on my desk, and sighed. Indeed, it was a snake situation. “Yes, so I am. Let’s go.”
Edwin didn’t say a word until we were both in the hallway, heading for the royal tailors. I felt uncomfortable with the silence but didn’t know what to talk about. Strange, to have this feeling with him. I’d never experienced this before.
“What does that mean?” he finally asked. “Snake?”
It was so like Edwin to ask about anything he didn’t understand. That attitude had enabled him to advance from runner to a prince’s secretary. I was happy to explain, as I wanted our joke back into being. It felt wrong otherwise.
“Well, originally the full line wasif it was a snake, it would have bitten you, meaning it was right in front of my nose. Over the years, though, it’s been shortened down to justsnake.”
He gave a thoughtful hum. “In other words, with your planner in front of your eyes, you should have realized you were late for an appointment. Snake, again.”
“Quite right. I probably should have warned you I’m habitually late. I get wrapped up in the present thing and don’t watch the clock as I should. It’s a bad habit I’ve tried and failed to break.”
He nodded, his eyes on me. “In that case, I will be more on my guard about warning you of your next appointment.”
“Much appreciated.” Edwin had always been my clock, my memory, and these past three days I’d sorely missed him chivvying me up and into motion.
Aside from these missteps with Edwin, things were going well, or at least I thought so. My staff was figuring out how I worked and making the necessary adjustments, and they were bonding nicely. I’d taken them all out for dinner and drinks the other night under the pretense of getting to know them better. Really, I’d given them a chance to get to know me better this time around. It had sped things along somewhat.
Now if only I could figure out how to speed things along with Edwin, that would be wonderful.
I couldn’tflirtflirt with him, as that would raise his defenses, so how did I casually flirt? Was there such a thing as casually flirting?
Even if not, I’d try.
“Having my business meetings here isn’t causing you too much trouble, is it?” I gave him a warm smile. “I realize you’ve already got a lot of work on your plate. I don’t wish to add to it.”
He answered with a bemused expression. “Not at all. Don’t think of it.”
Not the reaction I was going for, dammit. Edwin, my love, do try to realize I’m interested in you. No, I couldn’t blame him. I’d have to up my game.
“Is there anything I can do to help you—”
I caught the hint of movement from behind and to my right, in my blind spot, and I spun about, reacting in pure reflex. Adrenaline leapt through my veins in a quicksilver rush even as one hand balled into a fist, throwing a punch, the other up as a guard. Fuck! Why didn’t I have my sword on me?
In the same second I threw my fist, I recognized Sir Collins and swore, trying to pull the punch. Don’t hit your own knight, dumbass, pull it,pull it—
Fortunately, Sir Collins had always been a quick-witted fighter. He caught my fist in one hand, blocking the attack, then just held me there. Thank Vuheia I hadn’t been armed, because that could have gone very wrong.
I let out an explosive breath, shaking off the adrenaline as best I could, even as I apologized in a rush. “I am so, so sorry. That was sheer reflex.”
