Page 29

She started off, and Kaerius paused only to give the Boravian lord a sharp, triumphant smile before he followed her.

At the far edge of the dance floor, he stepped in front of her and caught her hand, bowed over it, and looked up, with a little delight in his eyes.Dance with me?She looked confused, and he spun her into the next turn with a graceful step, ignoring the stinging of his feet.

She bit her lip against a smile and shook her head, and hurried out the door with Kaerius on her heels. Brighton was suddenly there too, though Kaerius had not noticed him in some time.

“I don’t want to antagonize him by dancing with you three times,” said Marin, as if she owed Kaerius an apology.

Of course. I should not have done that.Iwant to antagonize him, though.Kaerius bowed repentantly, though he couldn’t help a silent chuckle.

Chapter 12

Ican offer you a much nicer guest room this evening,” said Marin as they walked down the hall. “The room you stayed in the first night was hardly fit for a visiting prince, and it would be wise to keep up appearances.”

Kaerius nodded, suppressing a grimace at the pain in his feet. He had felt many kinds of pain in his life, but not this hot, raw friction that throbbed with every step.

Marin continued, “Brighton, my meeting with Ralph is at ten o’clock tomorrow morning, and I would like you to attend. Before that, might I prevail upon you to continue Prince Kai’s protocol lessons? I would like him at lunch tomorrow in the garden room, and then at dinner in the upper reception hall.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” said Brighton. “I’ll take him to the blue room after I take you to your suite.” He added with an amused smile, “I’ll send Jill to get him ready for lunch tomorrow.”

Marin chuckled, and the sweet sound brought a delighted smile to Kaerius’s face. “Tell her that I find him useful, so if she’s annoyed by that, she can come argue with me.”

Brighton laughed aloud.

Who is Jill?signed Kaerius.

Marin said, “We probably ought to learn a few more of your signs before tomorrow. Verbs would be useful, I think. Need, want, what else?” She glanced at her guard.

In a few moments, they arrived at Marin’s side of the royal quarters, which included her bedroom, bathing room, and a number of private sitting rooms of varying degrees of formality. “Let’s sit down,” said Marin. She led them into the most exterior of the reception rooms.

She sat in one of a pair of blue velvet chairs and motioned that Brighton and Kaerius could sit across from her on a matching couch.

“Why didn’t you stand up when Ralph approached me?” Marin asked, as if she had been puzzling on this question for several minutes. “He was offended that you didn’t.”

I do not regret offending him, but why would he be offended by that?Kaerius tilted his head and looked between Marin and Brighton.

“If I may, Your Highness?” At her nod, Brighton continued. “Ralph is accustomed to men standing in his presence, because he postures and asserts dominance with his height and physicality. Remaining kneeling like that was almost a subservient position, but your expression was anything but humble. Did you do that intentionally to unnerve him?”

Not at all. Your body language is alien to me. In the water, higher and lower physical positions of one’s head have no bearing on social dominance. I assert my dominance by clicking my teeth, with the strength of my body, with my fighting and hunting prowess, with my brilliant mind, and with my social alliances.He laughed a little to himself.Though I do not regret unnerving or insulting Ralph. I am delighted to have done so!

Marin bit her lip, her expression troubled. “I don’t suppose it hurt your standing in court too much. Your expression wasfar too confident to have given anyone the impression you were afraid of him.”

I certainly hope not!

“What is ‘need’ in your sign language?”

Kaerius showed them, and they imitated the sign. They spent nearly an hour trying to think of words and learn them, and at the end, when Marin indicated by a subtle shift that she was ready to retire, Kaerius tested them on each sign to ensure that they remembered what they had learned.

“Do your people all speak this language?” said Marin at last. “And use words as well?”

Kaerius nodded.It is useful to be able to communicate silently when necessary. But in the deeps and over long distances, there is not enough visibility for signs, so we sing too. My voice is exceptional, and I look forward to singing for you when I have won your love, my voice, and my life.

The princess studied his expression. “Are you speaking of love?” she ventured.

The Mer prince’s smile gleamed with triumph.Yes!He pantomimed handing her his heart and bowed his head.

Marin swallowed. “You are very kind,” she said at last. “But I did not intend to lead you on when I asked for your service in this matter. I am grateful for your service and your assistance with Lord Ralph, but I implore you not to read more into our relationship than that. It is merely in the service of Eleria that I have asked for your help. You should expect no more than that.”

While Kaerius’s confidence was unshaken, the grief and regret in her eyes made his smile soften.Do not grieve for me, as if you have already broken my heart. I have given it to you, and I am sure it is safe, whether you realize it yet or not.