She hummed thoughtfully, clasping her hands in front of her, studying him with hazel eyes that appeared more green than brown beneath the shine of gas lamps illuminating the garden.
“I am Nicca Kimathi of the House of Kimathi. I am betrothed to His Imperial Highness.”
“Still?” Soren couldn’t help but ask, because the politeness required for political pitfalls was beyond him as a warden active in the field.
Nicca arched one painted eyebrow. “The barristers are dealing with the paperwork.”
“Lucky them.”
Nicca’s gaze flicked up and down, taking Soren in, though she let nothing cross her expression to show how she felt about his presence at this invitation-only feast. For something that had been thrown together in less than half a day, the Imperial servants had outdone themselves. At least, Soren thought so.
The gardens had been hastily but extravagantly decorated. Pillows and soft rugs lay beneath canopies set out between the garden pathways. The night sky above was littered with stars, the sun having set an hour ago. It hadn’t taken all the heat yet, and Soren could feel sweat sliding down his spine beneath his field leathers.
The firepit being tended to by a pair of cooks on the other side of the festivities probably didn’t help with the heat. The mechanical fans blowing the smoke high into the air rather than letting it drift into the well-dressed crowd was a nice touch. Servants slid through the crowd, offering up small dishes to snack on before the main meal. Drinks in colored crystal glasses with flowers and wedges of fruit floating in each one were passed out on silver trays.
Soren had tried one of the drinks, found it cloyingly, almost sickeningly sweet, and discreetly poured it into a potted plant when no one was looking. He’d managed to get a glass of plain water after asking three servants. He wasn’t one for heavy drinking, because a drunk warden was a dead warden, and he knew enough about how the Houses passed the time to trust no one here.
No one but Vanya.
“You seem not to be enjoying the festivities,” Nicca said after a moment.
Soren chose his next words carefully. “I’m a warden. We don’t get invited to things like this.”
He’d have much preferred finding a curry house for dinner and catching up with any warden passing through the resupply station in Bellingham. Instead, he was stuck at a party where he couldn’t be certain anyone wouldn’t try to poison each other.
At least the alchemy that made him a warden would save him from that headache if that came to pass.
Nicca smiled at him, her lip rouge a pale pink to match the embroidery on her gown. “You are the guest of honor. Saving the life of an Imperial is always cause for celebration.”
Soren hid his grimace behind his water glass. “I did my duty as a warden.”
“There are few in Solaria who would do as you did. I find myself thankful for your presence.”
Few others within the Houses would, Soren knew. But he kept his peace on that, and Nicca smoothly filled the silence that followed her words by extolling the virtues of her home city. Soren listened with half an ear, trying not to look like he was hunting for an escape, when they were interrupted by Vanya.
He stood out in stark white robes with a gold cloak that hung off his shoulders by heavy-looking jeweled pauldrons. A single gold circlet sat upon his brow, less intricate than the crown the empress wore, while the ranking necklace hung around his neck. But for all the subtleties of Vanya’s dress, the expense of them clearly showed his position.
“There you are, Soren,” Vanya said with a wide smile. “I wanted to introduce you to the Tovan Isles ambassador. I was telling her about your velocycle, and she says they apparently have something similar they use for fun on the waves near Port Avi.”
Nicca bowed to him, her gown fluttering gracefully around her body with the motion. “Your Imperial Highness.”
Vanya’s expression remained polite as he held out his hand and let Nicca slip hers into his grip so he could draw her upright. “Lady Nicca. I’m pleased to see you are well.”
“And I am pleased you have returned to us.”
“As everyone here tonight has so kindly stated.”
They made small talk while Soren stood awkwardly beside them, everyone around their little group watching their interaction like hawks. Soren tried not to let his shoulders stiffen beneath the attention. He was relieved when Vanya finally extracted himself from Nicca’s presence and guided Soren along with him back to the center of the party.
“Is this water?” Vanya asked, taking the glass from Soren and frowning down at its contents. “Let’s find you a better drink.”
“You don’t need to,” Soren said. If Vanya got him another of those sweet alcoholic drinks, he’d feed it to the nearest flower bush.
“Tonight is as much about you as it is about me. You should enjoy it.”
“You can enjoy it for the both of us.”
Vanya smirked at him before taking a sip of the drink in his hand, a flower falling off the rim. He didn’t seem to notice. When he spoke, his voice came out low, the words meant for Soren alone. “I’ll enjoy you tonight once the feast is over, if you like.”
