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Both Jayd’s hands flew to her cheeks. “Like Tarzan? Or Captain Blood?”
There was no helping my laugh now. Fortunately, Crista broke out into a simultaneous one—though probably not because the princess had just invoked a pirate from a 70-year-old movie. A classic, but still…
“No, arkami,” she chided good-naturedly. “He was in a harness. It was rather business-like, actually.”
Jayd bounced in her chair. “But he saved your life!”
Crista’s mirth turned mysterious. “Well, the whole experience was not like that.”
“Ah.” More bouncing, though Jayd kept it to a dull roar now. The infirmary walls were modern drywall, not the thick stone and stucco we could count on in many other parts of the Palais. “Yes, yes,” she eagerly prodded. “The hand holding! Get to that part.”
“And…the parts after that too?” Crista’s grin turned kittenish.
“There were after parts?” That one actually came from me. This was getting even more interesting, perhaps even a chance to forget the-Cimarron-who-would-not-be-named. “I’ve been here visiting for the last three days. You never said anything about an ‘after’ part.”
“Désonnum, my friend,” Crista murmured, coloring a little. The blush was great to see, since she’d been so pale until this morning. Hypothermia, three cracked ribs, one broken leg, and immeasurable exhaustion had an odd way of doing that to a person. “I was waiting for my mind to clear from all the medication, just to be certain it was not a dream.”
I lowered one thigh to the bed and nodded my head like an approving professor. “That good, hrrmm?”
Crista’s lips twitched. “Perhaps. Yes. Probably.”
“Well, tie me up and make me scream.” Jayd’s joyous gasp had my jaw plunked so hard to the floor, I barely noticed the choirgirl handclasp with which she finished. “Captain Shai Storm. Who knew? We probably all should have known. The reserved ones are always the hottest ones. Milord gentleman on the outside, devil with a dick on the inside.”
“Devil with a—” I laughed but let my stare go wide. “And he had time to get out the pitchfork…when?”
“Pssshh.” Jayd waved an impatient hand. Brought it down to take up the ends of Crista’s fingers. “All right, dinné, we will hear this entire tale now. No details spared. I am assuming lips met? And tongues too? Did Shai try to…hold you…anywhere else?”
I laughed harder. “She was in a lot of pain!”
Crista giggled. “Not enough pain to ignore that.”
“Aha!” Jayd went bouncy toy again. “There was tongue!”
“I beg your pardon?”
Four words—ice bucketing all four corners of the room, in a voice just as chilled. As soon as I joined Jayd and Crista, whipping my head toward the door to determine the source, the rest of the space turned icy tundra on us too.
How appropriate, then, that Ambyr Stratiss wore a dress in icicle blue, with a svelte silhouette to match. Her demure V neckline was accessorized by one strand of pearls. Her fitted skirt ended below the knees, finished by dyed-to-match shoes. Flats. Pointy toes. Of course.
“Miss Stratiss.” Disgusting, that the person in the hospital bed had the stones to speak first. “Uhhmm…bon sabah.” Crista’s greeting was damn near a question but that was okay. A fast glance at Jayd confirmed my belief about us all wondering why Ambyr was here.
“Bon sabah to you as well, Crista—but if you call me Miss Stratiss once more, I may have to just turn tail and leave.”
Do it, Crista. Please.
Too late. Before Crista could reply, Ambyr stepped forward, dropping into a short but graceful bow, murmuring. “Your Highness Jayd. How lovely to see you here. And Miss Fava.” The Cleopatra in her gaze jetted to the North Pole upon regarding me. “What is it that they say in your country? ‘Great minds think alike’?”
I let my eyes give up a little shrug. “They do say that.”
Ambyr rang the red courtesy phone of smiles. Once. For a second. “Well, then. I brought some cheer.” Directing her attention back to Crista also had her clacking across the floor in order to set down a large vase of flowers—next to the container bursting with Shiraz’s blooms. Her arrangement, a dazzling display of orange and blue, looked perfect next to the shades of gold and yellow in his. I fought—and failed—not to take that as a great-smelling sign from the universe. They’re already a beautiful couple.
“Merderim,” Crista said to Ambyr. “They are lovely.”
Ambyr’s lips curled up. “And look. They are perfect next to His Highness’s.”
Way to rub it in, lady.
The slight narrowing of Jayd’s gaze didn’t escape my attention—or my ego. I noted the development with a secret and shameless glee. Let it grow a little as Jayd issued with a tight smile, “What brings you this way, Ambyr? Deciding to slum it in the infirmary?”
