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He starts to protest, but I cut him off "Don’t worry," I say "I’ll protect you frohs, and I love the sound "I’m very content to enjoy the festivities fro with Mara?"
I cranethe face of her partner Even fro the patch over his eye "Yes, that’s hie to march over there and throine in his face for what he did to o
"Well, they seem to be familiar," Hector says "They’re easy with each other"
His words check hs in response Then the two glide behind a wall of dancers, obscuring my view
"They are very old friends," I tell hihly, maybe I can too
I catch a movement in the corner ofdown on aze Again I look around for Tristán, hoping he can save me from another disastrous turn with Liano, but he is nowhere to be found "Oh, God," I mutter
"What is it?" Hector asks
"Please ith ardens, maybe?"
Chapter 16
HECTOR offers an arratefully We turn at the same ," I say under ether did not go well?"
"I learned that the best place to spear a javelina is in the throat, just above its chest"
"Aahh Well, if you ever find yourself needing to ignore him, ask him about the tiood for half an hour, uninterrupted"
"I’ll reardens stand open for fresh air As we step into the night, onto the winding paver path, I breathe deep of the sweet scent of yellow night bloomers They are like a weed, the way they twine around trellises and ferns Unchecked, they’d choke everything around theht they spread their weblike petals wide, proudly showing off stahter than fireflies
"Hector, would you mindthat is, do you think it’s safe for me to walk alone for a bit?"
"I think so, yes," he says with obvious reluctance "It’s an interior garden, and I have guards stationed around its periuard where everyone can see e?"
"Of course"
He squeezes arden of tiny stars, I feel heady--frolass of wine, from the cool breeze on my skin, from the touch and scent of the hter and music curl around me
The palm beside me rustles unnaturally I hear hurried whispers, heavy breathing
Surely there is no danger Everyone was searched for weapons, and guards watch every entrance Butas I check
I reach out, and with the tip of er I move the palm fronds aside
A e, his back to me He is locked in a passionate embrace with so his neck
I can’t help the giggle that bubbles from my mouth
They whirl at the sound, and their faces are pale and stark anition
It’s Conde Tristán Encircled in his arms is the herald, Iladro
They stare atto run away, but shock freezes nation Without breaking o cales hies a panicked half bow in my direction, and flees toward the audience hall
We are silent for what seems like an eternity Finally Conde Tristán says, "Your Majesty, I swear on the Scriptura Sancta that everything I have told you is true"
Indignation helps ly beautiful? That you intend to court me?"
"Yes"
"Do you even like women?"
"Not in that way, no But one doesn’t have to be a lover of woyou said is a lie Maybe not the words themselves, but your intent has been to deceive me" And deceive me he has I’, "I’ely "Iladro is the love ofest you retire for the evening"
The conde starts to protest but changes his rotto and disappears
Suddenly I’ ti deep breaths to cal humiliation into help his people during hard ti to know that a man can’t find me desirable Maybe no one will Maybe not ever
Certainly not Hector
I wipe under my eyes to make sure my kohl has not sh Thus collected, I return to the entrance and to uise his relief at seeing me "I saw Conde Tristán," he says "He left in quite a hurry Didn’t even notice I stood here"
"Wewe quarreled"
"I’m so sorry"
I can’t bear to be pitiable before hi"
But he is not fooled When I take his offered arently "Go back inside and dance," he insists
"What?"
"Have a good time Dance with as eously" He’s so intent, his voice urgent
"But none of it will be real None of thee A conquest But not me"
Silence stretches between us, and I realize I could not have given hi to pay ing for theo back inside and do htness into my voice "Who knows? Maybe Lord Liano has hidden depth of character"