“I don’t know how you couldn’t smell him, Ty,” Rally says, folding his arms over his chest, “what with all those perfumes he wears.”
The man throws his head back in a laugh. “Now you’re just attacking me. Please introduce me to the princess before she thinks me as vulgar as your brother.”
Ty makes another rude gesture.
“Princess Serah,” Rally says, “this is Lord Lyken, the overseer of the western province. Whether or not he’s vulgar I’ll leave up to you.”
Suppressing a smile, I incline my head to the man. “A pleasure to meet you, Lord Lyken.”
Lord Lyken’s face grows serious. “The pleasure is all mine, princess.” Bowing again, he reaches for my hand, and when I give it, he holds it with both his, touching not his lips but his forehead to my knuckles, a greeting of deep respect in Vasna.
When he lifts his eyes to mine, a look of understanding passes between us.
“Now,” he says, his jovial tone returning as he straightens, “why in all the stars’ names would you two show our fair princess the eastern garden first when it is undeniably the best? Why not start with the southern?”
The brothers exchange a glance. Ty shrugs his shoulders.
“It’s on the way to her chambers,” Rally says with a glance behind him. “Soren wants her out of sight.”
Out of sightseems far more vulgar than anything else that’s been said, but I keep quiet.
Pointing at the sky, Ty holds his arms up and curls his fingers into claws while simultaneously pulling a long face that can’t be anything other than Lord Tallin’s sneer.
Lord Lyken’s eyebrows shoot up. “The wyverns were here?”
“Just left,” Rally says.
“Then I agree with the king.” Pivoting to me, he holds an elbow out. “Might I join your party, princess?”
I glance at Rally, but he and Ty seem to be awaiting my approval.
“Of course,” I say, glad for any brightness in a rather bleak day.
Our pace quickens, and we keep to the shadows of the walkways as we go. Despite Rally’s teasing, all I smell is a faint scent of mint from Lord Lyken.
“I’m sure this has been an eventful day for you,” he says quietly.
The corner of my mouth turns up. “An understatement.”
“Tirenth is far different from your own homeland, I expect.” His eyes slide to mine. “But I hope you’ll give our humble desert a chance to charm you.”
He holds my gaze for several seconds before turning forward again. I glance at him out of the corner of my eye. Is he…flirting with me? I redden. Of course he isn’t. I’ve simply misunderstood him just as I did the king. I am here because the king wants me to draw water to his kingdom, nothing more.
“Your desert holds a unique beauty,” I say, thinking back to the great, shining dunes I saw from the ship. “I look forward to seeing more of it.”
“Perhaps the king will give you a tour tomorrow.”
Rally snorts. “From the way he looked earlier? Doubtful.”
My heart drops. Am I to be held like a prisoner in my room until the king sees fit to let me out? Normally, I can tuck my feelings away like folded gowns, but some of mydistress must pass over my face because Lord Lyken’s leans near.
“Give the king a few days,” he whispers. “He will calm.”
I nod, not as reassured as I would like. My movements have never been restricted at home. I go where I please, sometimes wandering or canoeing for half a day or more.
We come to a courtyard with a single building at the other side, a building adorned with balconies, roofed in gleaming tiles, and flanked with several guards. I sense the time for us to part drawing near.
“Please pardon me for any impoliteness,” I say, “but might I ask a quick question?”
