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Instead, he opens the door for me.

At my own desk, I unfold the offer and begin with the salary. It’s enough to live on after the help with rent ends. I read the duties twice, then go back to the paragraph about housing.

I ought to be able to picture the room I’d rent.

I keep seeing Daurek smile.

VAI

Daurek saves me the seat beside him at breakfast, and I nearly walk into the woman carrying the porridge.

Last night, he kissed me outside my door. I asked him to do it again. By the time I went inside, I’d forgotten that half the household uses that corridor on the way to bed.

I remember now.

Ziku looks from me to Daurek and opens his mouth.

“Don’t,” I tell him.

“I was going to ask for the butter.”

I pass it to him before sitting down. Daurek pours my tea. He looks entirely capable of eating breakfast, which seems unfair when I keep remembering his mouth against mine.

“Did you sleep?” he asks.

“Eventually.”

He sets the pot down. “So did I.”

That helps considerably.

Reivaka arrives with three rolled notices under her arm and a piece of bread from the kitchen between her teeth.

She sits opposite us. I take some porridge while they discuss who will collect the afternoon reports. Daurek finishes his tea and reaches for the bread at the same moment I do.

He lets me take the last piece.

I divide it and give him half.

Daurek bends toward me.

“Would you rather sit somewhere quieter?”

I want to say yes and take him with me. I also want to finish a meal without fleeing from people who happen to notice I like a man.

“I’m all right here.”

He stays beside me. His knee touches mine beneath the table, briefly and deliberately.

I take another bite of bread. It’s difficult to look annoyed with Ziku when I’m smiling at my plate.

After breakfast, Daurek walks with me as far as the courtyard. Keepers pass us carrying fresh notices toward the southern arch. We move out of their way and stop beside the low wall.

“I could ask Ziku to leave you alone,” he says.

“I can ask him myself. He might even listen for a few minutes.”

“The flowers outside your door don’t help.”