“What?” She asked absently as her eyes looked around for a door.
“It seems you may need some help with a few of your stages. I can teach you how to interact with men.” The gladiator’s offer was tempting but she did not want to owe anyone any favors.
She looked into his eyes. Her body noted a slight dip in her stomach, but her mind attributed it to the excitement.
“No thank you. I think I proved just now that I am doing quite well in my journey. Now, if you would excuse me, I need to find my sister.”
Theodora turned towards the door on the other end of the ballroom when she caught a glimpse of her father sneakingoutside with another unknown woman. Her vision blurred as the reality of her life crashed down on her.
“Whoa, now. Are you all right?” Strong arms settled around her. A part of her wanted to relax into them and seek comfort where she could find it.
She turned to look at the man when Anna stepped into her vision.
“Theodora!” Anna called out.
Theodora’s world was unraveling around her and she could not focus. When Anna reached them, she gave the gladiator a stern look.
He sighed and Theodora felt his hot breath against her cheek. “Relax, Duchess,” he said in a gentle, coaxing voice. “She seemed to have some kind of dizzy spell.”
Anna’s expression quickly turned into that of concern.
“What has happened?” She held a palm over Theodora’s forehead, feeling for her temperature.
Theodora swatted her friend’s hand away and stood up unsteadily while Anna wrapped an arm around her waist.
“I will take care of her from here, thank you.” She nodded at the gladiator who gave Theodora one last concerning look.
“Take care of yourself and good luck, sorceress.” He flashed her a smile before they walked off.
“Are you all right, Theo? You have gone pale.”
“Yes, do not fret. I have just not eaten much since I arrived.”
Anna nodded and gently guided her, but Theodora still felt the gladiator’s eyes on her.
“What was that about, Anna?” Theodora spoke unsteadily.
She was curious about her friend’s interaction with the mysterious gentleman.
“I am all for your experiment, Theodora, but I will not allow you to spend time alone with the Scarlet Duke.”
Theodora frowned. “Who, pray do tell, is the Scarlet Duke?”
CHAPTER 3
Stage Two: The Talking Stage
Mechanism: Cognitive Mapping
Aim: To prove that seeking “common ground” is simply the ego searching for its own reflection in another person.
Method:
Catalogue conversational overlaps.
