I turned to look up at Taroc.
To save me from craning my neck, he sat down on the bench beside me, facing out instead of in. Meeting his gaze became much easier.
“Yes?” I asked.
“Would you have dinner with me tomorrow night?”
“No.”
Taroc's face twitched.
I went on, “I don't think I'm ready for dinner with you. But how about lunch?”
His expression eased. Slid into a grin. “Very well. Lunch. I'll find you around noon.”
“All right.”
Taroc got up, laid a hand on my shoulder, and walked off, letting his touch slide across my back.
Xae sighed deeply. Resignedly.
“He's a good choice,” Nex said to Xaedren. “I mean, if you can't have me. Which you can't. So, he's a good choice.”
I rolled my eyes. “Again, it comes back to you.”
“Always,” Nex drawled. “Everything leads back to me.”
“Lord Nexhavaren,” a feminine voice interrupted.
Nex just about burst out of his casual slump, straightening to smile at Evina. “Uh, Evina. Hello.”
“I'm told you know a good performance group.”
“Performance?” Nex frowned.
I shared a grin with Xae.
“Yes. Uh, acrobats? I want to hire a troupe to entertain us one night. I think it would be good for the children. So many of them are sad about their parents not being among those who were found.”
“Oh, of course!” Nex climbed off the bench and strode around the table. He took Evina's hand. “How thoughtful of you. You're so good with them, Ms. Evina. General Rontor made a wonderful choice hiring you. And I'd be happy to help.” He leaned a hand onto the table, slipped, and jerked upright. Grinning like an idiot, he added, “Anything for the kids.”
“Aren't you the sweetest?” Evina squeezed his hand and smiled up at him. “Perhaps you could take me to meet with them tomorrow afternoon? The children have a nap around two, and I can leave them under the care of the parents.”
“Absolutely. I'll take you to lunch first. I know a great place run by Bear Ladrin.”
“You do?! Oh, I've missed the taste of Bear Ladrin cooking. I'd kill for a spiced meat pie.”
“If there's any killing to be done, you can leave it to me.” Nex winked at her, then bowed over her hand. “I'll wait for you in the entry hall at two.”
“Thank you, Lord Nexhavaren.”
“Call me Nex.”
Evina blushed as she said, “Nex.” Then hurried away.
Nex watched her go, his expression wistful.
I snickered.
