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Payim was at the far end of the table along with a free seat so she moved to join him.

“No, please. We can make room here,” Merus said.

“Definitely.” Lacuna scooted over, making room for her across from Aculus.

One of the servers produced another chair and a table setting.

“Thank you.” She nodded to them and sat.

“You’re just in time. The main course hasn’t arrived yet. Help yourself to some fruit in the meantime.” Axilla gestured to the assortment of platters lining the center of the long table.

“Thanks,” she repeated and ladled a colorful selection onto her plate.

“Are you feeling better this morning?” Lacuna asked.

“Yes. How are you? You looked weak and flush last night. I was worried,” Bregma added.

She covered her mouth and quickly chewed the bite she’d popped in before replying.

“If the Premiere Servant took care of you instead of taking off, then maybe you wouldn’t have suffered,” Axilla huffed.

Nadzia frowned as she swallowed her bite. Axilla was pissed about Aculus ditching the party, but her comment hinted at bigger disappointments. And what made her the saddest was that Aculus’ expression didn’t even register the slight. That’s how used to it he was.

“Aculus did check on me,” she informed Axilla a little more tersely than intended.

Costa, one of Aculus’ would-be wives, leaned close to him, looping her arm through his.

“I’m sure it took a while tending to our guest. Her species looks like it’s prone to illness. But where did you go afterward? I was hoping you’d visit my suite,” the woman whispered in his ear, but it was loud enough half the table probably heard.

Nadzia nearly choked on her food.

Are you fucking kidding me?!She gaped at the woman.If he wanted to visit your gropey ass he would’ve a long time ago.

“After we eat, come with us to see the new garden,” another of his admirers suggested, while reaching over Costa to grip Aculus’ hand.

“Good idea, Selu,” another excitedly agreed.

“Yes.” “Yes,” a chorus of voices chimed in.

“That would be a good way to make it up to us.” Costa nudged Selu’s arm away, nearly knocking over a glass of water.

Nadzia incredulously looked from one woman to another. The unsettled feeling from the night before returned, churning in the pit of her stomach. Her gaze drifted to the two-prong fork on the table, suddenly feeling real stabby. And then she looked at Aculus and her mood flipped like a switch. His calm, cool and collected demeanor was beginning to crack. She repressed a laugh as he kept looking toward the door.

He’s gonna make a run for it.She pictured him leaping up and over the table, plates flying as he sprinted out of the room.

“Please, please, Aculus, let’s go see the garden,” she joined the gang, her whine saccharine sweet.

“You can’t refuse our guest,” Costa insisted.

Aculus’ gaze swung from Costa to her and he glared, his lips pressed in a flat line. Her cheeks hurt as she desperately tried to not grin, keeping her expression innocent and hopeful. He was going to kill her later, but it was worth it. He totally deserved this for not bringing up his harem in the first place. It didn’t matter that he didn’t actually have a relationship with them, it was something he probably should have mentioned. She did forgive him, especially considering the circumstances, but she was still going to yank his chain.

“Unfortunately, I need to discuss the recent mission with the Conclave. But I’d appreciate if you females would show Nadzia the gardens. I know Tarsus needs to stretch his legs,” Aculus insisted, casting her a sardonic smile.

It was her turn to glare at him for pawning her off on his conclave.I guess that’s what I get for being an ass.

“That can wait. Take a tour of the new garden with your conclave and our guests,” Axilla encouraged.

“I don’t mean to question the Conclave, however I do need to point out that we’ve inadvertently riled a species with technology that rivals our own, and unless the Miran Sona are a forgetful race, they’ll be just as unhappy when I return in a few cycles.”