Page 22 of A Filling of Fables and Firelight

She looked up from her seat on the divan, amusement pulling at the corners of her mouth. “You said that last time.”

“I was surprised then, too. You’re a rather difficult woman to find.”

In fact, if it weren’t for a casual comment dropped by his page, he had all but given up hope of finding Rana on his own.

“You’re the Sultan. Couldn’t you just send a servant looking for me or something? Surely you, of all people, have the resources to track someone down.”

He shrugged one shoulder. “Just because I can doesn’t mean I should. I do understand boundaries. You already have a negative enough opinion of me; I didn’t need to add forcing my company on you to my list of crimes.”

“I see. Is that why you’re lurking in the doorway instead of coming all the way in? You can sit down, if you like.” She gestured to the cushioned chair he had occupied before.

The smile that took over his face was wide and unforced as he stepped into the cozy space and dropped into the chair, and it grew when he spotted the plate of colorful sweet cubes on the low table between them. “Is that Adhavian Delight?”

“Made by my Teta. It’s our favorite.” Rana stabbed her needle into the embroidery hoop. He recognized the emerald fabric from their first meeting, though it was covered now with intricate gold patterns that hadn’t been there before. She set the hoop down and reached over, plucking a cube off the plate and popping it into her mouth. She closed her eyes and hummed in appreciation. “These ones are flavored with rose and orange.”

“That sounds delicious.” Kamaran leaned forward to take one of the candies, but Rana swatted his hand away before his fingers touched the plate. He looked up in surprise.

“Those are mine. Get your own plate.” Her eyes were narrowed at him, and he could not determine whether the glare was meant to be playful or serious.

He erred on the side of caution and pulled his hand back. “You’re not going to share?”

“Sharing implies that I offer, and you accept.”

“Are you going to offer?”

She tapped her chin thoughtfully, the motion drawing his attention to her soft, full lips, and he wondered for a brief moment if her kisses would be as feisty as her words tended to be. The unexpected thought caught him off guard, and he hastily shoved it away. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her off, especially when it had taken so long to earn her regard.

“I don’t think you realize what you’re asking.” Rana shook her head sadly. “Once you taste Teta’s Adhavian Delight, you’re going to be ruined for all other kinds.”

“I’m willing to risk it.” He held out his hand, palm up.

“You can’t say I didn’t warn you.” She picked up one of the ruby-red cubes and placed it in his hand. The tips of her fingers grazed his skin, and Kamaran’s nerves lit up with far more electricity than was reasonable at the simple, innocent touch.

He pulled his hand away, masking his reaction by delivering the candy to his mouth as quickly as possible. His eyes widened as the sweet, citrus taste danced over his tongue, perfectly complemented by the light floral notes. “This is amazing,” he said, forgetting his manners and speaking with his mouth still full.

Rana grinned smugly as she settled back into the divan. “I told you.”

He swallowed and laced his fingers together over his knees to keep them from reaching for another. “I’m telling Zamar to cancel the Queen’s Contest. I’m going to marry Teta.”

She laughed, and he wanted nothing more in that moment than to bask in the brightness of her smile. “I think there might be a few more qualifications for being queen than ‘Makes the World’s Best Adhavian Delight.’”

“Name one.” He mimicked her posture, leaning back into his own seat.

“Diplomacy? International relations?”

He waved the suggestions away. “What better diplomacy is there than giving your allies the best sweets they’ve ever tasted?”

“Knowledge of trade and economics, then.”

“Simple. After we’ve given them a taste of the best sweets, they’ll be willing to give us anything we need in exchange for a supply of their own.” Kamaran nodded to himself. “Yes, I think Teta is the woman for me.”

She gave him a dry, amused smile. “Kamaran.”

“Rana,” he answered in kind, propping a hand under his chin.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“I think you mean brilliant.” He winked, then grinned at the way she fought the widening of her own smile as she rolled her eyes.