Jucai burst out laughing. “I will dismiss them.”
“All of them?”
“Of course.” He leaned in to kiss me.
“Your Majesty?” A Gashi man led a group of slaves through the garden. They brought trays of food and a table for us to dine on.
Jucai kissed my cheek and then motioned at the space before us. “Thank you. Right here would be perfect.”
The men set the table before us, and then a few women laid out platters of food, glasses of water, plates, and utensils. One of them even laid out a bowl of water and towels for us to wash our hands. Then they bowed and left.
“This is nice.” I leaned in to smell the food. I'd miss Zaruian cuisine, but Jucai's chefs were talented too.
“Allow me.” Jucai scooped servings from each dish onto my plate.
“This feels like a date.”
“A date?” He paused while filling his plate. “I can't recall the last time I courted anyone.”
“I suppose it's unnecessary with me. I'm already won.”
Jucai went still, his eyes glittering in the partial shade. “If only that were true.”
“You're the one who's so certain we'll be mated,” I teased.
“That is my hope speaking. I don't know what will happen, Nadar.” He turned toward me. “But you'll stay either way, right? You said you would.”
I leaned in and kissed him—just a graze of my lips over his. Then I spoke against his mouth, “Yes, I'll stay. Even if your courtiers never give up their licentious ways.”
I leaned back to find him watching me with eyes full of relief.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
“Perhaps I agreed too readily,” I teased. “Does this mean you won’t be courting me?”
Jucai smirked. “Our relationship is still very new, my diplomat. I think you'll need much courting, even after we're mated.”
“I agree.” Then I added, “You know that fucking isn't courting, right?”
The Sea King burst into laughter.
Chapter Thirty
After breakfast, Jucai took me on another tour of his city. We went to a massive stadium with tiered seats rising around a central space. A Gashi man met us at the entrance and escorted us through crowds that bowed to the King while forming an aisle for him. People whispered and pointed at me as we passed.
On the second floor, we went through a door and into an open-air viewing box with four seats facing the arena. Jucai's guards spread out along the wall, two staying out in the hall. I ignored the high-backed chairs to go to the railing and stare down at the arena where circular walls divided the space into racing tracks. Directly below us were massive crustaceans with pincers that snapped at the air and claws that dug into the sand. Numbers on their backs identified them, and panels set into the walls kept them boxed in.
“Pick one.” Jucai waved down at the crabs. “We can bet on the winner.”
“Oh, gambling, eh?” I leaned further over the railing, and Jucai's arm went around my waist to steady me.
When I straightened, I noticed people in the stands watching us. My cheeks heated. I'd lived in the Royal Palace of Zaru for many years, within the sphere of royalty. But I'd never attended events as a king's escort or had royal attention focusedon me. A King's interest inspired his people's interest. And Jucai's people were getting curious. A little Leeya boy waved at me, and I grinned and waved back.
Smiling indulgently, Jucai asked, “Well? Have you found a favorite?”
Looking him up and down, I said, “I have indeed.”
Leaning closer, Jucai slid his hand over my ass and squeezed. “I meant the crabs.”
