Ezra raised her eyebrows. Meena thought she did not agree with her husband.
“Perhaps call in the bards and have some dancing?” Jules continued, convincingly. “What better way to welcome the councilor and entertain our royal guests?”
Ezra’s hesitance turned into a smile. “That sounds like a wonderful evening, my dear,” she said.
“That is not at all necessary,” Younn cut in. The words sounded gracious, but Meena thought the pompous smile on his face said otherwise.
“Please Younn, some dancing would be good for all of us,” Ezra responded.
“If you say so,” Younn nodded his head to Ezra. “Captain, could you give me a review of your work here?”
“Of course, Councilor.” Jules’s back straightened, and he sent a quick look to his wife.
“I will take care of the rest,” Ezra said reassuringly.
Meena noticed that Jules had not even asked a question, but Ezra instantly knew what his look meant. Despite her careful attention, Meena could not decipher the undercurrent of communication that took place beneath Jules and Ezra’s conversation. Her mind kept forgetting that she couldn’t trust them. They seemed so ... trustworthy. At least Jules did.
As if sensing her thoughts, Ezra looked directly at Meena.
“Dancing sounds wonderful!” Meena said, clapping her hands together. She could talk to Sol later about the secretive behavior of their hosts. For now, though, she needed to ensure that Sol joined Jules and Younn in reviewing the fort. It would be the perfect time to finally get an inside look at their goal.
As Jules led the councilor down the hall, Meena looked up to find Sol’s eyes on her.
He raised his eyebrows, tilting his head ever so slightly toward the departing men.
Meena couldn’t stop the smile that came to her face. She did not have to be jealous of Jules and Ezra when she and Sol could communicate with just their eyes. She blinked twice and nodded.
Sol moved forward, quietly following just behind the men as though he had been invited to go with them.
Ezra noticed his movement, but before she could call out to him, Meena pounced forward. She grabbed the tall woman’s arm, pulling her back toward the bedrooms. “Shall I change into something more suitable for dancing?” she asked.
With a final glance over her shoulder, Ezra turned her attention to Meena. “No, you are dressed as impeccably as always, Princess,” she said.
Meena noted the forced politeness in the woman’s voice. Clearly, Ezra would have preferred to go to the fort then discuss clothing options.
In any other circumstance, Ezra would have made a great friend.
Meena, too, wished to help Sol learn the lay of the fort. But this was the part she could play, so play it she would, even if Ezra hated her for it.
“Are you quite sure?” Meena asked. “Come see the other dress I brought.”
Chapter 26
“Solano!” Meena cried when she spotted her husband in the main bailey of the fort. He was still in the company of Jules and Younn, so she remembered to use the fake name she’d given him. But the excitement in her voice was real. She was genuinely glad to trade Ezra’s terse company for Sol’s. Keeping Ezra distracted with silly nothings was exhausting.
Hearing her greeting, Sol made his way through the busy outdoor space, a fake smile plastered his face.
Meena hoped that under the smile was at least a little relief to see her as well.
“Rainy Meena who isn’t mine,” Sol bowed over her hand as he approached.
Meena’s frustation with Ezra instantly disappeared.
“Princess,” Jules, who had followed Sol, bowed when he reached her. “You look as beautiful as ever.”
“Thank you, Captain,” she replied. She was tired of pleasantries. She wanted to speak with Sol and learn what he had gathered.
“Councilor,” Jules said to Younn, who had also followed them. “Let us leave the two lovebirds to themselves for a moment. Surely they have much to say after their long separation.”
