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He gave a quiet chuckle. “Empress, you are understandably wary of us. The history is difficult to overcome.” He gave a quick smile. “I only wish to put your concerns to rest."
"Go on.” She lifted her eyebrows in enquiry, and waited for him to continue. His very proximity drew her into dangerous games. She knew she should just walk away, but there was something so very compelling about him. It would not allow her to pass up the chance to speak with him alone.
"Sibias plans to discuss the customs of Karseedia, to prepare you.” He paused, deliberately. “For my own part, I have my duty to my friend, Hanrah, to fulfill.” His voice was a low whisper, and he stepped closer again. He had only to reach out his hand, and he could touch her.
Her heart raced.
"I also wish to know you better,” he added.
His simple, bold statement startled her. She glanced at the sentry down the corridor, then back. “Why would you wish to do that?"
He smiled, one corner of his mouth lifting. It was dangerously seductive. “Curiosity rises between us, teasing us both, does it not?"
There was no mistaking his meaning, and she could not hide her surprise. Her lips parted, her breath coming ever quicker.
"I am curious about all things,” she retorted. Heat rose in her face. Even if she had wanted to, she could not have walked away. The intimate nature of his bold stare made her skin tingle with awareness. Her lips parted as she looked at the firm line of his mouth, unbidden desire for his kisses coursing through her.
Then suddenly, and without warning, his eyes shuttered and he drew back, glancing around as if he thought they were being watched.
"Please, be assured that I wish you no harm,” he whispered. “Quite the opposite, in fact.” He bowed his head and made a hasty departure, his final, fleeting smile leaving her wavering unsteadily.
Only then did Elishiba become aware of footsteps echoing down the corridor beyond them. The palace guards were changing over and a group of ten men had marched to her chambers to relieve the sentry there. It was an unusual sight. Her rooms normally went unguarded, but she'd been glad of it just then. Her father had insisted her chambers be kept secure with so many strangers in their midst.
She gathered herself and continued on her original path, but as she did she heard footsteps scuttling away down a corridor to the left. Glancing after the sound as she passed, she saw a figure hurrying away from the scene. Was that why Amshazar had gone, she wondered? Had he seen someone else nearby? Not the guards, as she had originally thought?
The person glanced back over his shoulder before he disappeared round another corner. It was a young man and his face looked familiar to her, but at first she could not immediately place him amongst those that she knew. One of the nubiles, she realized, the confident one. Patrino, was it? Yes.
Had he heard her conversation with Amshazar? Had he, in fact, been spying on her? It was possible that one or all of the nubiles had been trained to do just that, although she sensed no hidden purpose in Kerr. Perhaps Patrino was on his way somewhere, but why did he run away when she saw him, if that was the case?
She continued quickly on to her private rooms, thankful to be inside when the door closed behind her. She would ask about the other three nubiles, find out why Patrino was wandering the palace and acting in such a suspicious way. And Amshazar? He had said he meant no harm. How readily could she trust that?
"I
cannot even trust myself, when he is near,” she reflected wryly. He stirred inappropriate desires in her; desires that she should quickly stifle if she were to keep a level head.
Locking away the encounter with Amshazar for later consideration, she took a moment to quell her chaotic thoughts before pressing on with the task at hand. The main rooms were empty, so she went to the bathing room.
Kerr sat forlornly by the pool.
He lifted his head expectantly when she entered. Seeing who it was, his concerned expression broke into a gentle smile.
No, she sensed no ulterior motive in him. “I am sorry, Kerr, you have been very patient. We will have to continue another time after all."
He nodded and stood up silently. He looked quite pale, she noticed, and there was a small frown furrowing his brow. After a moment of hesitancy, he walked over to join her at the door.
She led him into the bedchamber and stood in the center of the room, between him and the open door beyond. His exit was clear and marked out for him. He hesitated, and she saw his eyes dart over to the bed, which was empty save for twisted and abandoned sheets, and a heavy jeweled box.
She could not restrain her smile. The plot had come to an auspicious conclusion. His attention had surely been harnessed. He shook himself out of his reverie and made ready to leave her company, politely offering his services at any time she needed him. She noticed the pout of desire that projected his lower lip, ever so slightly. When his time to choose came, he would be eager to stay, she had no doubt.
She put a thoughtful hand on his arm, making ready to open the path to him. “Oh, and when you return to the servants’ quarters you must ask the housekeeper to show you where Amra and Elra's chamber is, when it is time to dine. You must spend more time with them and be guided by them, for they are your kin now."
If she had doubted the sisters’ power to entrance the young man, that doubt was dismissed when realization dawned over his expression. He smiled widely at her statement, and it was as if sunlight had suddenly poured into a long-darkened room.
His eyes lit and he nodded enthusiastically. “Thank you, Empress. I am grateful for your kindness."
"Aleem does not keep slaves in the way that Karseedia does,” she told him. “I have trusted you and taken you in because I like you. I want you to be happy with us, but I need to be able to trust you."
Kerr nodded, smiling at her words. “I am your loyal servant, your trust will not be misplaced."
