AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A knock came at the door, it opened, and an attendant walked in with a lunch tray. She lowered it onto the table and removed the untouched breakfast one. Her censoring gaze met mine for a moment before she slipped out with the food.
She probably thought I was afraid they’d poison me or that I didn’t care for their food.
Neither were true.
The rich spices of the meals reminded me of Shaan so much it hurt. I still didn’t understand how a prince had learned to cook like he did. If I closed my eyes, I could almost feel him sidle up behind me as he showed me how to prepare food, the cool press of his lips against my neck, me turning in his arms, his fingers slipping down to the waistband of my pants…
I hissed through my teeth as the aromatic scent of the fresh meal whirled through the air.
Grief seemed to pulse through me like a heartbeat. I couldn’t eat Prasanna foods because they were Shaan’s. And I’d never have him again. I’d destroyed my only chance of happiness and honesty. Now I had to focus on my people… and Shaan’s court as well. My only purpose was to protect them both.
I opened the bag Aila had packed for me and unwrapped a biscuit. I took a bite and my stomach growled like a living creature, but I struggled to swallow. My fingers wrinkled the cloth, and I wrapped it back up, sighed, and pushed it into the sack.
Another knock sounded at the door, and a guard entered. “The Raja-kumarai has requested an audience with you, Your Highness.”
I dropped my bag against a bench. “Of course.”
The guard bowed and gestured towards the door. I followed him out into a group of half a dozen guards who circled around me. One looked familiar and his professional expression broke for a moment as he glared at me, but then he shifted back to his role. Maybe he was there when I arrived at the gates.
The Raja-kumarai.
I was pretty sure that’s what Shaan had called himself. Shame burned hot on my cheeks as I realized how little I knew of the Prasanna court and their customs. If Shaan wanted to speak with me, perhaps he’d had time to think through things. Maybe he’d considered giving me another chance.
Hope buoyed through me.
I smoothed out my vest and slipped into the magic of my glamour to make sure my appearance was well in place. I wouldn’t beg or weep this time. Perhaps if he saw me more like the man he’d fallen for, he’d remember everything between us. God knew the memories seemed intent to drown me.
The guards walked me into a sitting room with rich burgundy carpets, gold furniture, and intricately shaped arches that led to a second section of the room that had massive windows overlooking the palace grounds. The guards shuffled to stand against the back wall. So, this wouldn’t be a private meeting. Okay. That was fine.
A moment later, the door opened, and more guards filed in. I couldn’t help the frown that touched my lips. Despite my bad choices with him, I’d never physically harmed Shaan. When the soldiers parted, it wasn’t Shaan standing in their midst however, but a young girl with silky ebony hair loose over her coral-pink sari, her arms covered with bracelets, her eyes sparkling as a smile pulled her lips up.
She approached me, pressed her hands together, and lowered. I bowed to her in turn. “Prince Lennox,” she chirped. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Veena.”
Veena. Shaan’s younger sister.
Raja-kumarai must mean princess then, not prince. I’d mixed them up, maybe, and hope had sparked through me as much as disappointment did now. I bowed again. “The pleasure is mine.”
Veena grinned and dimples pressed into her cheeks as she gestured to a set of couches, and we both took a seat. She twirled a beaded bracelet around her wrist but kept her gaze on me as she smirked. Curiosity shoved back thoughts of Shaan for the moment. The Maharani was a brilliant strategist and powerful leader. She scared Father—not that he’d ever admit it—and so it left me inquisitive. Why did she send her scarcely adolescent child to speak with me?
Veena turned towards a guard. “May we have some Nankhatai and tea brought?”
The guard bowed and exited the room.
Veena grinned again. “I think meetings are always lovelier when food is involved, don’t you?”
“I could see that.” Meetings were misery to me always and I certainly never ate during them. Father would have sneered at the suggestion. That deepened my intention to try whatever food she’d called for.
She grinned so that her nose wrinkled. I couldn’t help but return the smile as she spoke. “I’m sure you must wonder why I asked you here.”
“It’s crossed my mind.”
The guard returned to the room, and an attendant walked in with a tray of golden biscuits and a gold and turquoise teapot decorated in intricate patterns. God, was everything in this world beautiful? Was everything bound to make me think of Shaan? Shaan pouring out his heart, Shaan laughing until his cheeks wrinkled, Shaan tracing his thumb down the center of my chest.
Veena poured some tea for us both. “I hope you like Chai.”
I scooped my hands around my cup and took a sip. “Thank you.”
“I’m here because Shaan didn’t wish to speak with you, so I told Mother and Father I could. They always think I’m too young but I’m not so little anymore and…”
