Zev’s lips curve into a faint smile. “Impossible,” he says softly, his fingers playing with a lock of hair before cupping my cheek. “I’ve missed you. How have your days been?”
“Slow. Boring.Mindless.” I frown, crossing my arms. “I wrote a letter to my father. Finished reading my books. Picked out the menu for the Equinox Festival.” The next time Farzina stops by, I’ll have her add mushroom stew.
“I’ll take you to the library to get more books.”
I don’t respond.
“And tomorrow … we’ll do something special for dinner.”
He gives me a winning smile.
I give him my silence.
“We can explore the capital?” he tries, raking his teeth over his lower lip.
I finally let my lips curve. The stiffness in his shoulders eases.
“All right.”
Maybe I forgive him too easily. Or maybe I’ve just missed him.
Chapter Thirty-Four
“Whatdoyouthinkabout roses and jasmine for centerpieces?” I ask, glancing around the large hall—I snuck out of our chambers with Farzina, the servant responsible for the Equinox Festival, along with a handful of guards.
Farzina blinks, a crease marring her smooth, tanned brow. “WhatIthink, Princess?”
“Well, yes. It’s my first time planning the festival. You have much more experience. I’d rather defer to what you think.”
She looks momentarily stunned, hazel eyes wide and mouth parted. “I—I always thought hydrangeas and daylilies would look nice.”
I smile at her, injecting as much kindness into the curve of my lips as I can. “Hydrangeas and daylilies, it is.”
A brilliant flush colors her cheeks, and she hides a smile whilst jotting down notes.
“What’s left for today?” I ask, pacing through the hall. “Menu, music, guest list … I’m forgetting something.”
She scans her notes. “The wine! Any thoughts?”
“How about zinfadelan? I read about it recently. I think the spicy flavor will pair well with the lamb.”
Farzina chews her lip. “Zinfadelan is a bold choice. It’s quite strong.” I hesitate, fingers curling around the hem of my sleeve, and she quickly adds, “But you are right, Princess, itwillpair well. I’ll make a note to order enough barrels.”
“Are you sure?” I ask. “We can choose something else. A mellow white?”
“No, no, Princess. Your choice is perfect.”
I smile brightly at her, murmuring my thanks. Farzina bobs a graceful curtsy, her eyes lingering on me with warmth before she leaves.
My guards escort me back to our chambers in time for lunch with Zev.
Except he never shows.
I pace the room until I’ve almost worn a path in the carpet. When I grow weary of that, I sit with my latest book,The Magnificent Palace of Arbinj: Changes Through the Centuries. I thumb through the worn pages, careful not to leave any creases.
Evolution of spires…
Mid-century renovations…
