Page 20 of A Filling of Fables and Firelight

“It’s rather bold to assume that you’ll be the one His Majesty is marrying, don’t you think?” Inara turned a page of her book. “After all, he certainly seemed more than happy to give up his seat next to you at dinner last evening.”

“He’s just trying to play fair. Our history and connection are undeniable, but since the Council of Viziers called for the Queen’s Contest, of course we have to play by the rules.” Yasmin flung the dress unceremoniously at Rana’s chest as she stepped past, once more draped in soft, expensive silk. “I can be honest with all of you, of course, because you know how rare it is to find a love like ours.”

Rana couldn’t help the snort that escaped her and suddenly found five pairs of eyes turned in her direction.

“Do you have something you’d like to add, seamstress?” Yasmin’s smile was a study in false sincerity, and her voice dripped with condescension.

“No.” Rana shook out the dress and folded it demurely over her arm before gracing Yasmin with a smile just as fake as the one she had been given. “I think we’re all thankful that a love like yours is so rare. It would be rather depressing if all of us were hopping from one relationship to another based on what we felt we could get out of it.”

Yasmin’s jaw fell open with shock, then worked back and forth a moment before she spoke, pretending to be unbothered. “Kamaran is known to be a bit of a flirt, of course, but those things can be fixed.”

“I wasn’t speaking of His Majesty,” Rana snapped, struck with the overwhelming need to come to Kamaran’s defense. Since the night of their story, she had taken to observing him whenever she could during social settings. He smiled and laughed and was free with his flattery, but there was never anything in his manner that suggested he truly wanted to take things further than conversation. In fact, he was usually the one needing to fend off unwanted advances—something, to her chagrin, she had never thought to even notice before.

“What are you implying?” Yasmin’s eyes narrowed.

“I’m not implying anything. I just said I wasn’t speaking of His Majesty.” Rana looked pointedly at Yasmin’s dress as she stepped around her, heading for the door. “That’s some beautiful silk you’re wearing, and rather hard to come by. I only know one merchant in El-Huram who trades it.”

“You’re just hoping to catch his eye yourself. You think that because he was kind and paid you the slightest bit of attention at the party this afternoon that he’s going to fall madly in love with you. I hate to break it to you, but you’re in for a rude awakening.”

Rana suppressed the urge to roll her eyes as she turned back to the room. “Believe me, I have no intentions or desires to attract His Majesty’s attention.” Though he’s given it whether I want it or not. “Your dress will be ready by tomorrow.” She turned to Nour, who was watching her with a thoughtful expression. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

Nour shook her head.

“Wonderful. Then I’ll leave you to it.”

With a final nod, she spun on her heel and pushed through the door, allowing it to fall shut with a heavy thud behind her. “What on earth did Kamaran see in that woman in the first place?” she muttered.

“If you’re talking about Lady Yasmin, she can be very nice when she wants to be.”

Rana started as Jasper shoved off the wall and fell into step beside her.

“I don’t know whether to feel honored or insulted that she’s dropping the act with me, then.” She sighed, then glanced over her shoulder. “Where’s Spot?”

Jasper plunged his hands into his trouser pockets and scuffed his boots along the marble floor. “He’s at the shop with Dan and Aida. I wasn’t sure how people would take to having him around after what happened this afternoon.”

“What did happen this afternoon? I’ve never seen him act like that.”

“Zamar said he needed a bit of a disturbance during the party, and he asked if I would help. I didn’t expect things to get so out of hand.” He grimaced. “Is Laila alright?”

They rounded a corner. “She has a torn dress and a couple of bruises, but she’ll be fine.”

“I’m sorry.”

Rana stopped, setting a hand on his shoulder. “It wasn’t your fault, Jas. Zamar is the one who asked you to let a tiger loose in a garden party.” She paused. “Which seems rather rude after asking them to plan and execute the whole event, but I’m sure he has his reasons.”

“They wanted to see how the contestants would react. Something about a queen needing to have ‘grace under pressure.’”

Rana gave him a wry look as they started walking again. “You seem to know an awful lot about all of the challenges. I’m beginning to think you’re part of the planning committee.”

He shrugged. “I’m just a page, which means people tend to forget that I’m there until they need something from me. I’ve overheard a lot of conversations.” He exhaled heavily, shaking his head. “If Dan hadn’t gone and made sure I grew up with a moral code, I could be making so much money from blackmail.”

She let out a bark of surprised laughter. “The fact that you’ve even considered such a thing is slightly alarming.”

“But not totally alarming, which means you understand the appeal.”

Rana rolled her eyes, smiling in spite of herself.

“On the topic of overhearing conversations, are you going to stop hiding from His Majesty now that he’s so gallantly come to your rescue?”