“It’s mine,” Tatyana said quickly. “A last-minute addition. A gift from some time ago.” Some time being roughly an hour. “I don’t think it interrupts the lines of the dress, does it?”
“No, it’s perfect.” Diana appeared flustered. “I only wish I’d thought to place a jewel there myself. I’m so very sorry you felt your costume for tonight was insufficient.” She bowed deeply. “My apologies, Terrin.”
“None are needed, Diana.” She rushed to reassure the usually confident woman. “It was a sentimental choice on my part. Please don’t be concerned at all.”
“Of course.” Diana’s cheeks were a little flushed, and she kept glancing at the brooch. “If you are ready, the son of the Fire King has scheduled a moment of your time in substitution for a dance since he…” She held out her hands.
“Of course.” Tatyana smiled. “I would be delighted to share a drink with Samson.” Her old friend wasn’t a keen dancer since he used his hands instead of his tongue to speak.
She followed Diana out of the dressing room and saw Samson waiting next to Sándor and Rumi.
He caught her eye and raised an eyebrow. Then he lifted his hands to speak.This is all very tiring.
Tatyana smiled and signed back to him.You don’t get tired and neither do I.
You know what I mean.
Yes, but we all have our jobs to do.
The ballroom was crowded and noisy, so being able to communicate with signing was delightfully convenient.
Blood-wine?Samson gestured to a passing server.
No, I have already fed enough,she signed back.Champagne maybe?The light white wine was delightful to her sensitive taste buds.
Samson grabbed two flutes of champagne from a passing server and then nodded toward a pair of chairs nearby.
“I will see you shortly, Diana. Who is next on my schedule?”
“The Tajik prince, but you have a break for your time with Arosh’s court.”
“Of course.”
There were half a dozen dances left in the night, and every one was filled save for five breaks Rumi had insisted on so Tatyana could mingle among the attendees or simply be alone.
She walked over to Samson and sat in a royal-blue upholstered chair. He’d placed their champagne on the small table between them.
“Cheers.” She picked up the crystal flute and clinked it with Samson’s before she drank. The sparkling wine hit her tongue, and the bright taste flooded her senses.
“This is lovely.” She looked at the chairs. “I prefer this.”
Samson sat back, appearing to lounge in the seat.As do I.
She set her drink down and switched to the more discreet signing he preferred.I think I have ten minutes.
The same.
Have you been busy?
Yes. Luckily, all I have to do is listen to my dance partners and not make conversation.
Tatyana smiled.But he wants you here anyway?
Kato and Alexander aren’t available for the social events anymore, and you know how popular they were at these things.
Her mentor, Kato the ancient water vampire, had finally left the court of the Fire King with his long-term partner Alexander. They had taken residence on a small island in the Aegean and were enjoying their solitude according to the last letter she’d received from Kato.
She lifted her champagne to enjoy a drink. “So you have to fill in the gap?”
