Page 26 of Ghosts and Ginger Tea

“Thank you, Oli. You know…” she sighed. “This world of nobility… it’s a lot sneakier and more mysterious than you’d think. It’s full of liars and murderers. Take care of yourself.” She squeezed my hand, we kissed one another’s cheeks, as was the custom of the islands, and then she left me.

Before entering the ballroom, she looked back at me. “See you around, and be careful Oli.” Then she disappeared inside.

“Oli? Is that what you go by?”

My stomach fluttered at the voice, and I turned around to find none other than my husband, the man I hadn’t seen since last night. Just the sight of him made my knees weak. Resentment filled me too. He left me the whole day, and I wasn’t about to let him call me “Oli” like those who were close to me.

Keanu and I were certainly not close.

When I didn’t answer, he held out his arm for me to take. “I see you’ve made a new friend,” he said. I took his arm and he placed his other hand over mine, as if he’d missed me. His hand was rough and warm.

He’s flirting again. I wasn’t ignorant.

“Her name is Malia,” I said. “She was helpful in there.”

Keanu chuckled. “I know her.” Of course, he knew. The hallway was getting crowded, with people flooding into the ballroom ahead of us. Instead of going inside, Keanu led me to the side, up some stairs, and onto a balcony.

“Are we allowed to be up here?” I asked, thinking of Lady Kanahele hosting this event. Surely this was her home, and I didn’t want to intrude.

“The entire palace is open,” Keanu reassured me. I looked up at him as he stared at the forest below us. He was wearing a black suit with maroon and gold accents that matched my dress. Why did his hair always look so soft, as if it tempted any girl to touch it?

“Did you enjoy the day?” he asked. I averted my eyes to the forest landscape, but felt his gaze still on me. I couldn’t help chastising myself for the very thought of touching his hair.

“Well. I didn’t particularly enjoy it.” I pursed my lips.

“Why not?” He released my hand and leaned over the railing. “Did my cousin bore you to death?”

On the contrary, he was more sincere than you were. I didn’t say the words aloud, but I avoided Keanu’s gaze, afraid that he’d be able to read my thoughts.

“No.”

Keanu waited patiently for me to speak more, but I didn’t know what else to say. I didn’t particularly miss his presence that day. He owed me nothing, after all, but I felt… lonely. Lost in this entirely new world. For some odd reason, being with him now caused me to feel a little safer.

“Did you have a good day?” I asked instead, and Keanu raised an eyebrow, as if surprised I should ask how he fared.

“Oh. It was…” He shrugged, as if to recompose himself, and then he smiled, his easy-going smile, as if nothing in the world bothered him. “It went well.”

“You mentioned you were with the army?”

“Yes. At the borders. We were making preparations in case Kalani’s troops fall upon us tonight.”

“But Kalani is here?” I asked. Would he really send his troops to attack Keanu’s kingdom? The thought made me shudder.

“Yes, he and his wife are here.” Keanu looked at the forest, distracted.

I didn’t want to mention that Kalani’s wife bumped me earlier, then blamed it on me. It was too petty, and we had other things to worry about anyway.

“Oliana,” Keanu said my name as if there was some desperation in it. “Do you trust me?”

My words came out on their own, but I didn’t regret them. “You’ve not given me a reason to trust you.”

“I’ve been honorable and have kept my word,” he countered quickly. “I’ve kept my end of the bargain.”

“As have I.” We fell silent, then Keanu sighed and rested his elbows on the railing again.

“You are new to all of this,” he said after a long moment. “I feel you can see things I can’t, and can discern things I may be blind to now.”

Why did he always speak in a roundabout way?