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"It is ihness," she murmured She lifted a berry to her lips andthe tabletop clear with one ar out what that berry tasted like The notion struck him with such appeal that he had lifted his hands to the ar it

He took another slow breath, savoring the ih hile, sorted out which were his own ideas and which were hers "You," he accused, his voice coher than he'd intended, "are earthcrafting me, Ambassador"

She ate another berry More slowly Her eyes sparkled as she did "Would I do such a thing, my lord Octavian?"

It became a real effort of will to rerowl and took up a knife and a fork to neatly slice off and devour a piece of the beef - real, honest Aleran meat, none of that leviathan-chue - and washed it doith a s of the light, alht," he said, "if it suited you"

She took utensils to her own roast Tavi watched her, iood roast with all the delicacy of a hungry lioness and often gave the impression that she would respond in a siht, if she did not h society, her behavior was nonetheless not too terribly far off theher the etiquette of the Citizenry

When had she found the time?

She ate the bite ofhis eyes She closed her own in pleasure as she sed, and only athat I would prefer it if you tore this dress from me and ravished me? Here? On the table, perhaps?"

Tavi's fork slipped, and his next piece of roast went flying off the table and onto the ground He opened his , his face turning war sound "Shame," she purred "It's delicious Don't you think it's delicious?"

She ate another bite with the saantly restrained sensuality

Tavi found his voice again "Not half so delicious as you, Aain, pleased "Finally I have your attention"

"You've had it the whole ti," Tavi said

"Your ears, perhaps" She cleared her throat, resting her fingertips upon her breastbone for a aze there involuntarily "Your eyes, certainly," she added drily, and he let out a rueful chuckle "But your thoughts, chala, your iination - they have been focused elsewhere"