Isahn turned his derisive snort into a quiet cough.
The woman was forced onto her back on a low table, produced by pixies just for the occasion. The king instructed her to fill her cheeks with olives and lie with her mouth ajar. Peros then had to fish them out one by one using only his tongue.
George felt horrendous for the woman, especially since Peros was not shy about how much he enjoyed the activity. If his moans weren’t enough of a giveaway, the tent of histogawas a sure sign.
Repulsive.
She had no choice but to kiss Isahn soundly, to hide his sneer from the other guests’ view.
The main coursetinkledinto existence soon after. They dined in a half-dazed state, trying to find some comfort in the savory food and each other’s company while pretending to enjoy the king’s unseemly show of power.
After thesecunda mensahad come and gone, whisked away by elf magic, George clasped Isahn’s hand tightly in her own and gave him a steadying squeeze.
“We’re up soon,” she whispered.
He gazed into her eyes for a moment before releasing her hand to tangle his fingers into her curls and pull her down for a kiss.
“Ah! It seems my daughter is keen to perform for you all this evening! And here I thought she was shy,” the king blared to the room.
Isahn eyed George apologetically as he pulled away. She hadn’t minded, and tried to let him know it wasn’t his fault with a stroke of touch magic down his arm. It was odd that her father hadn’t called attention to her earlier.
Yanking on a mask of enjoyment, George giggled demurely, fanning herself with her free hand. “My Salskanan pet is simply so entertaining,” she tittered.
This placated the king, who called up another viceroy and his wife to perform a show with honey.
Their turn came too soon.
George’s hand vibrated with tension against Isahn’s forearm while they walked to the front of the room.
“It’s just me and you. Take us to space,” he said in a hushed voice as they stopped before the king.
George squeezed her earl’s arm, beyond grateful for his presence. She hated this part of the banquet and often fantasized of throttling her father with her touch magic right then and there. But the king had touch and sight magic, just like her. And he was stronger.
Isahn was made to retrieve an almond and rose water pastry and pop it in the exposed seam of George’s bosom. He brushed his fingertips over her skin as though savoring a private moment, not standing before sixty other people.
“The stars, Georgie,” Isahn whispered, his mouth barely moving.
She sent them as requested, and when all she could see was the two of them and a sea of endless sparkling pinpricks of light, he set to his assigned task.
He put on a show, nibbling on the dessert between them. Then Isahn glanced up at her, his eyes filled with desire in spite of the unconscionable circumstances.
“This tastes like you.” His tongue flicked out to tease the edge of the pastry.
George almost melted, there amongst her stars. But only for a split second before her father’s droll voice cut through the illusion of privacy. “This bores me. Take your seats.”
They returned to their spots on thelectus,and she snuggled close to Isahn, tucking a leg between his for the simple comfort of being in contact with one of the few good men in the room.
King Gasparo ranted for a few minutes about how the performances were entertaining but not captivating enough to be pleasurable. Several viceroys cheered in agreement, and George took note of the ones with the brightest eyes.
“There wasn’t enoughfearthis evening. Not enough flavor for my liking,” the king growled. “Bring in the young chef! He’ll sample his goods.”
Shit.
George caught Dunstan’s gaze across the room, followed by Wynnie’s. They eyed one another in abject terror as they waited for Ceadda to be brought in.
Their dear friend, with his short coily hair and his heart always out on his sleeve, was soon escorted into thetricliniumby a fearsome pair of guards who stepped aside to wait by the door.
Isahn turned to George with a question in his eye. He hadn’t met Adda yet, but based on her stiffness and silence, she figured he realized this was her friend. Her kind, innocent friend.
