Sol stepped across the room, covering the small space quickly with long strides. He stopped at Meena’s side, standing close enough to touch her shoulder.
Meena looked up at him, moving her head slowly so as not to disturb Laila.
“I would love to discuss the day with you, Meena mine,” Sol said. He smiled widely and blinked twice.
Meena turned to look over her shoulder at the maid behind her. “I can take it from here, Laila. Thank you for your help this morning.” She smiled warmly, eager to make the other woman like her.
Laila dipped into a curtsy without making eye contact. “Yes, my lady,” she said. She turned toward the door, then stopped awkwardly for a moment, the hair comb still in her hand.
Sol, who was now standing directly in front of her—and very closely to her—held out his hand.
Laila gave the comb and quickly dropped into another curtsy before leaving the room.
As soon as the door closed, Sol turned back to Meena. “Our hosts are planning to take us on a tour of the city today.” He did not sound excited at the prospect.
Tired of twisting her neck, Meena settled back into the chair, using the mirror on the desk to make eye contact with Sol. “And?” she asked, unsure what he was upset by.
“I cannot waste valuable time exploring the local merchants. I need to observe the fort and see if I can learn information from the local soldiers.” Sol tapped the comb against his hand, positioning himself behind her so he could clearly see her face in the mirror as well.
“You need me to distract Jules and Ezra today so you can be free to explore on your own?” Meena clarified.
“Precisely.” Sol exhaled. He lifted the comb and ran it through her hair.
Shocked at the ease of his action, Meena froze. “I can do that,” she said. Her fingertips tingled. She thought it was probably due to the excitement of having a responsibility that would help in their mission.
Her scalp tingled as well, but that was just because the comb gently pulled on her hair.
Sol repositioned the comb, running it through the exact same strands he had just done. His face was deep in concentration.
Meena smiled as she watched him through the mirror. Sometimes she had no idea what he was thinking behind his mask of silence, but in that moment she was confident she knew exactly what he was thinking. He was strategizing his plan for gathering information today. And he clearly had no idea he was also brushing her hair.
His eyes were active, but not in a defensive and guarded way. Rather, they were focused and alert, intent upon his own thoughts. He looked younger, his face relaxed into his actual age instead of carrying the weight of the world.
Meena closed her eyes, blinking rapidly for a moment, but not ready to drop her gaze from his face. She inhaled, wishing for a moment that this was her real life instead of her fake one.
Sol looked up suddenly, catching her eye in the mirror. His eyes instantly tightened and the line of his mouth went rigid. He pulled the comb from her hair and nodded briefly at her as he set it on the table beside her.
“Thank you,” she whispered, sad that the moment had ended. Though, in the life of her dreams, the moment would be better if he chose to participate consciously rather than by accident.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
She nodded, standing from the chair. “Let’s get started. Best of luck in your search today.”
Sol led the way to the bedroom door, and Meena quickly braided her hair over her shoulder as she followed him out.
“Good morning, royal guests!” Jules’s voice echoed down the hall as though he had been waiting for them to leave their room.
Meena gasped in surprise, not expecting such a jubilant welcome so quickly. She felt slightly better to see Sol looked startled as well.
“Good morning, good captain!” Meena called, recovering quickly and stepping forward to meet their host.
Jules and Ezra swept down the hallway toward them.
Meena’s jaw dropped when she saw the elaborate clothing they were both wearing.
“What is the occasion?” she asked. “You both look so lovely.” She fingered her simple braid self-conciously. At least she had worn one of her better dresses.
Jules bowed graciously as he came to a stop in front of them. The decorative chain of his captain’s uniform clanked delicately as he straightened. “Does one need an occasion to impress the lovely princess in all the lands?”
