‘When did you find out?’
‘I heard staff gossiping when I was around ten, and then I asked Caius.’
‘I can’t imagine what it must be like to feel like a part of yourself is missing.’
Cassie was surprised that Ares understood even that much. ‘It’s like a little ache that never goes away. I’m always conscious of her and wondering what she might be doing. We weren’t identical.’
At that moment Marta appeared behind Ares and said, ‘Dinner is ready.’
Ares turned around. ‘Efharisto, Marta.’
Cassie was glad of the diversion. She always found it emotional to talk about her sister. They followed Marta around to another section of the patio where there was a table set with white linen and china and crystal glasses. Flowers in a vase in the centre. Candles flickering. Cassie knew she couldn’t let this scene go to her head—the woman was probably reading more into why Cassie was here with Ares—but it was lovely.
She complimented the housekeeper and the woman beamed.
When they sat down Ares looked at Cassie. The skin of her inner wrist was still tingling from where he’d touched her. He said now, ‘You’ll make a great queen.’
She looked at him, surprised. ‘Why do you say that?’ She’d hoped to make a competent queen at least and not let her people down.
‘You’re a good person and you care about people.’
Cassie couldn’t deny the little glow at his assessment of her. But then it dimmed a little. ‘I feel very selfish right now.’
‘I didn’t have a full appreciation of how much your life will be given over to your duties as queen, before I met you. Or how much of your life it’s already taken up, just being princess.’
Cassie shrugged. ‘It just was,is, my life. School was the only time I really had to myself. University. When I was young I would accompany one or both of my parents to events and functions. They’d be doled out between me and Caius. We rarely got to go together because my parents were usually at each other’s throats.
‘I would have liked to spend more time with Caius,’ she admitted wistfully. ‘But the abdication forced us apart. I’m ashamed to admit that I blamed him a little, as if it were his fault. When of course it wasn’t.’
Ares said, ‘Completely understandable. Overnight you were thrust into a position you’d never anticipated. He had his whole life to prepare and then when you needed him most, he had to leave.’
‘Thank you,’ Cassie said simply, touched by Ares’s insight.
She said, ‘He’ll be there for the coronation—he’s insisting on weathering whatever the public and press reaction will be.’
‘I’m sure by then it’ll have died down and your people will be ready to accept and welcome their new queen.’
Cassie grimaced a little. ‘I hope so. I would like to bring the people of Sadat closer, take away some of the fussy protocols. Open up the palace to the public. Be more involved in every part of society on a much more tangible level. Be more of an ambassador for the country to encourage people to come and visit. We’re not as glitzy as Monaco, we have to work harder.’
Marta brought starters, delicious morsels of squid cooked with tomato and basil, washed down with local white wine. For a few minutes they ate contentedly—Ares was easy company.
When Marta cleared the plates away, Cassie sat back. ‘So where are your family?’
Ares gave her a look—no-go zone—and she just arched a brow. ‘It’s a simple question.’
Ares sighed. ‘Mainly Athens, that’s where the head office is, but there are offices all over the world. Drakos Solutions is one of the biggest shipping and logistics companies in the world.’
‘It’s the biggest, according to the Internet. You don’t regret turning your back?’
Ares made a face. ‘I guess I’d be lying if I said I don’t look them up, keep tabs on them. The company…andmy siblings. Not my parents.’
Cassie was silent while Marta returned with the mains, seafood ravioli. When she was gone Ares said with almost palpable reluctance, ‘I have nieces and nephews.’
Cassie’s mouth opened. And shut again under his look. He probably hadn’t intended divulging that much. Risking his censure, Cassie said quickly, ‘Well, for what it’s worth, they’re missing out on a pretty cool uncle.’
Ares made a non-committal noise. Cassie could see Ares with kids. He’d be good with them. Knowing that she shouldn’t push but not able to stop herself, she said, ‘You could just…reach out. It wasn’t your siblings’ fault what happened. It sounds like your brother cared to know what had happened?’
Ares sighed and ran a hand through his hair, messing it up sexily. Cassie fought to stay focused.
