The snort Zafir let out couldn’t have been more disbelieving.
“Thank you,” I told Rogan graciously. “I met your son at the fire dance last night, and he seems wonderful. I’d love to accompany him, and thank you for delivering his message.”
Rogan bowed and left as I unfurled the scroll. “He’s coming at sundown to escort me.”
“Just as he’s escorted a hundred women.” He looked over his shoulder to make sure Rogan was out of earshot. “I’ve wondered if his father uses Julian’s ability to charm women as a political advantage, but that works in our favor. If Rogan thinks he has something to gain in Brisden, he is likely to encourage Julian’s pursuing you. That was the goal of masquerading you as a duchess, not to fool all of Parliament permanently.”
“I would think it’s more of adisadvantage to have everyone think of his son as a rake.”
Zafir’s mouth twitched. “One would think. Just don’t let yourself be taken in.”
“If I start to be swept off my feet, you’ll have to pull on our chain to remind me to not fall head over heels in love with him.”
“I shall.”
Zafir strode back toward his study, dark robes billowing behind him. Anytime someone saw us coming, they would dart away or duck their head. I tilted my head at them andthen at Zafir. He wasn’t nearly as scary as everyone seemed to think. He was just a big sack of hot air hiding behind his black robes and cold facial expressions.
He shot me an annoyed look. “Why are you smiling?”
“I was just thinking that you could also bring a date tonight if you wanted to.”
“I don’t have time for entertaining women,” he retorted. “Unlike Julian, I actually have work to do.”
CHAPTER 18
Colorful canopies stretched overhead, their vivid gold making the night seem brighter. Paper lanterns were strung across the walkways, glowing so I could imagine captured fireflies were in each one. Each stall looked like a treasure chest spilling over with wonders. The narrow paths between booths were crowded, but the air hummed with cheerful voices bargaining and the melodic chiming of tiny bells swaying in the breeze.
“Do you like it?” Julian asked as we strolled together. “Is the market in Brisden like this?”
“I love it, and back home is nothing near as marvelous as this. In Brisden, the market is held in a big, empty courtyard with shops lining the perimeter, and it closes at dusk every day.”
“Ah, the world here comes alive at night. Just avoid the slums and you’ll be fine.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine with you around.” I squeezed Julian’s arm and threw a look back at Zafir, who had his arms crossed and was looking thoroughly disgruntled athaving to leave his secluded, quiet study to trail after me and Julian. “Does your father’s vizier ever smile?”
“Not that I’ve ever seen,” Julian laughed. “He always looks like a storm cloud, and I must say, I’m glad he has to follow us. I don’t get nearly enough opportunities to annoy him.”
I lowered my voice conspiratorially. “Well, we mustn’t let this one pass us by. To be frank, I’m quite glad he has to follow us, if only for the pleasure of annoying him as payback for his behavior. What do you think we could do that would irritate him most?”
“The more sappily sweet we are, the better. Want me to feed you?”
I let out a quiet laugh. “Only if I can feed you back and call you obnoxiously romantic names. He may not buy it, though.”
“Who cares? He’d still have to watch.”
We wound our way through the maze of alleyways, where a dizzying swirl of smells floated through the air, like heavily spiced lamb sizzling over coals, fresh mint, and fried dough slathered with crushed pistachios.
“Try this,” Julian said, holding a delicate, honey-soaked pastry powdered with sugar up to my lips.
After first ensuring that Zafir was looking in our direction, I closed my eyes and bit into it. “Delicious.” My eyes fluttered open. “Now it’s your turn.”
Julian held my hand to steady it and ate the pastry I held between my fingers. “Heavenly.”
Zafir gagged behind us, and Julian and I exchanged gleeful expressions.
“Did you want some, Zafir?” I turned with another pastry outstretched. “There’s plenty more.” Julian hookedhis chin over my shoulder and wrapped his arms around my waist from behind.
Zafir’s lip curled. “I’ll get my own food.”
