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Kara tossed her head imperiously, playing along.

“I can assure you I’m considered a great beauty where I come from. Men fall at my feet and women copy my every move.”

“Well, you’re certainly the only thing anyone can talk about on Vraxos.” Rhyn shook out his napkin. “You made it through to the second round ofshaa’baara. A lot of people lost a lot of bets today.”

Kara was about to ask him if he was one of those people when the doors were thrown open and Vahn walked in. Everyone stood.

He surveyed the room, resplendent in a silken shirt slashed to the waist and a cloak that swirled about his shoulders.

His yellow-amber gaze rested on Kara for the merest second before passing down the table. Yet in that moment she found she could barely breathe. She was glad when he took his place and everyone else could sit.

Vahn nodded at Baelon.

“Good evening,” he said. He was surprised he could speak.

When he’d laid eyes on Kara it had taken all his willpower not to fall to his knees. He had prepared himself to see her but even so, her presence had almost rendered him an idiot.

She is my undoing,he mused ruefully, trying to concentrate on what Baelon was saying. He was introducing his niece.

“Of course, you know Layahn already. You grew up in the same circles, did you not?” Layahn put her hand on her chest and bowed her head in the standard greeting.

“That is correct. You may recall, your Majesty, that I joined your hunting party two seasons ago.”

Vahn didn’t, but he nodded politely.

“Of course. And congratulations on succeeding in the first round of the challenges.”

“Thank you, your Majesty.” Layahn shot a look at Kara. “I found it quite exhilarating.”

“My niece completed the task first,” Baelon said smoothly. “She is quite formidable.”

“Indeed.” Vahn turned to Rhyn before he could get embroiled in further conversation. “Good evening to you too, Rhyn. You’re faring well?”

“I am, your Majesty. May I present my dining companion, Kara, who also completed today’s challenge.”

“Our resident human,” Vahn said. His eyes met Kara’s and for a moment it was as if they were the only ones in the room.

The arrival of the first course heralded the start of a bittersweet two hours for Vahn and Kara. To be so close and yet not able to touch each other, to talk politely and not say what their hearts yearned to say – it was both a joy and a torment.

Kara watched his mouth curve into a smile and wished she could climb onto the table and kiss him. Vahn saw the delicate flowers painted onto her skin and wished he could lay her down and trace them with his fingers.

Kara tried to distract herself by talking to Rhyn, who was an amusing and charismatic companion. But halfway through dinner she noticed he himself had become distracted. His gaze kept shifting to a point somewhere over her shoulder.

When she turned to look, she saw General Solarun had entered the room and taken up a sentry position by the door.

Hm. That’s interesting.

She turned back to Rhyn.

“So, big brother,” she said casually. “Do you have a girlfriend?”

“I have many.”

“I mean, do you have someone special?”

His eyes flicked to Ela, so quickly she might have missed it had she not been watching for it.

“No. My role as an Imperial Advisor is far too busy. I have to keep my focus on Vahn. Especially now that we may be entering a new era of peace.”