“So, Captain Boylan, what advice do you have for seducing your old squeeze?”
Don’t, my brain supplied, followed quickly by,leave her to me, but I took a moment to consider. This was why I was here, wasit not? To help Prince Aureli charm the Emperor? Regardless of my feelings for her, she was a foreign head of state.
That said, I wished Aureli would speak of her in a more respectful tone.
“Come, man, what does she like?” Boleslaw prompted.
“She loves musical performances. Operas, concerts, even musicals…”
Aureli stopped me. “Weren’t you listening? She has already scheduled her own musical entertainment. We can’t very well invite her to her own opera.”
“You could learn more about Imperial opera before tonight, so you could discuss it with her,” I suggested.
“What can you tell us about Imperial opera?” Boleslaw asked.
“Very little. We didn’t see much Imperial opera during school. Not much demand in the Commonwealth, and she was more interested in learning about our music anyways.”
Aureli’s lips thinned, but Boleslaw asked, “What sort of Commonwealth music did she like?”
Aureli spoke before I could open my mouth. “I’m not invited to her box for the opera. I’m invited to her box for the races. What does she like about race tournaments?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted.
“Do you know anything of use?” Aureli snapped.
Taken aback, I took a breath to keep the anger out of my voice. “We never watched races during school. She participated.” Boleslaw and the prince waited, silent, so I elaborated. “Astrid flew in underground skycar races. I helped trick out her racers, then cheered her from the sidelines. They were running parties as much as race events. Lots of booze, dancing, and wild music.”
“Was she any good?” Boleslaw asked.
“I always enjoyed dancing with her.”
“I meant as a racer.”
I shrugged. “She won sometimes. Rarely came in last.”
“So how should I meaningfully entertain her during the race?” Prince Aureli asked.
“Try talking about the racers’ skills. She appreciates the technical specs, but she always thought it was the racer who won, not the vehicle.”
“What do you think?” Boleslaw asked.
“I’ve seen too many high-budget teams buy their way to victory to think it’s all in the pilot’s hands. Astrid—the Emperor will think differently, though. I guarantee that.”
Aureli stood. “Thank you, Captain, for your special insight. I hope it comes in useful.”
I stood as well. “Me, too. I’ll be right by your side to help if anything goes wrong.”
Prince Aureli raised an eyebrow. “By my side, where?”
I hesitated. “In the Emperor’s box? Helping you negotiate?”
A strange smile played around the corners of Aureli’s mouth. It looked decidedly unfriendly. “Oh no. We wouldn’t want a repeat of last night’s indiscretion.”
“Pardon me, Your Highness, but if I’m not to join you in the Emperor’s box, then who would you like me to talk to?” I asked.
Prince Aureli considered me with his piercing blue eyes for a moment. “Do you have a hoversteed?”
“I do.” My heart swelled with pride at the thought of Tilly running in a race, but then I realized she might not be here. I turned to Wiktor. “I do, don’t I?”
