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“Perhaps. My mother rarely interferes with issues of state, but she understands the ways of the world. I frequently seek her counsel.”
“But not in this matter.”
“No. We disagree about King Givon.” He tapped the table. “You are right about the state dinner, however. It is necessary to act as if this visit is no different from any other. Would you plan that for me?”
His request surprised her. Her father rarely let her plan more than her own wardrobe. “Yes. Of course.”
“I’ll instruct the household staff to consult with you on every detail.”
She nodded, more pleased than she could say. “I’ll put together a menu, then discuss it with you.” A thought struck her. “If you like, I could find some El Baharian treasures in the vault and use them to decorate the dining room and the king’s rooms.”
Kardal grinned. “Tweaking Givon’s nose?”
“Just a little. Do you mind?”
He smiled at her. “Not at all, although I’m beginning to see that while it’s very pleasant to have you on my side, I would not want you for an enemy.”
She made a few more notes, then set down her pen. “Kardal, you have to really be prepared for this. Seeing your father is going to be a bigger deal than you imagine. If you don’t get ready, you won’t be able to do more than react when you see him.”
He stared into the distance. “I know. But how does one prepare for such an event? I can imagine it, as I have dozens of times in my life. I see him in my mind’s eye, but he doesn’t speak. After all this time, what is there to say?”
“I wish I knew.” Sabrina thought about her own father whose greetings to her usually consisted of an absent, “Oh, you’ve returned.”
“What do you want to say to him?” she asked.
Kardal leaned back in his chair. “I don’t know. I have many questions, but I’m not sure I still care about the answers. It was different when I was younger. However, I will consider your advice.”
She wanted to point out that considering and taking were two different things. She also thought he was wrong. He might be older, but she doubted his feelings for his father had changed very much over the years.
“Will King Givon come alone or bring his sons with him?”
“My mother didn’t say and I have not clarified that with her.” Tension filled his body. “I will speak with her today and let you know so that you may plan accordingly.”
“Thanks. I’ll make sure the appropriate number of rooms are ready.”
Kardal shook his head. “His sons,” he repeated slowly. “My half brothers. I have never met them. They are married, they have children. Nieces and nephews.”
“I know,” she told him. “It’s weird. I have four half brothers. Of course most of them are only half brothers to each other. My father wasn’t like yours. He didn’t see the need to stay loyal to one woman.”
She stopped and pressed her fingers to her mouth. “Sorry,” she said quickly. “I didn’t mean…” Because King Givon hadn’t been faithful to one woman and Kardal was the result of that indiscretion.
“I know what you mean,” he said.
Sabrina shuffled her papers. “Are you sure about this?” she asked. “About me? Isn’t there someone better qualified to handle these arrangements?”
“You do not want the job?”
“No. I’m happy to help. I just don’t want to make any mistakes.”
He touched her arm. She felt the contact all the way to her thighs. It was as if fire flickered inside of her.
“You are the one I want,” he said.
She knew how he meant the words. She was the one he wanted to prepare for King Givon’s visit. But for one heartbeat, she took his statement a different way. A more personal way. Her chest tightened, as did her throat. In that split second, she wondered what it would be like to hear those words from Kardal and having the meaning be romantic. What would it be like to be wanted by this man?
But she would never know. She was betrothed to another. It was her duty to guard her innocence to present to her husband on their wedding night. Oddly enough, she’d never been tempted before. She’d never thought about being with a man. Why did Kardal change all that?
A knock on her bedroom door made them both look up.
“Come,” Kardal called.
Rafe stepped into the room. He nodded at Sabrina, then turned his attention to his employer. “It’s nearly time for the conference call.”
Kardal nodded. “Ordering a dozen jets is not as simple as one might imagine,” he told Sabrina as he rose. “Thank you for your assistance.”
