She studied several garments but kept returning to the lavender tunic-and-pantaloon set. Holding up the outfit, she exited the closet—just as the bedroom chamber door slid open. “I think I’m going to wear this for dinner tonight,” she announced to her sister.
“You will look lovely. I’m sure my son will appreciate it,” said Queen Myka.
“Your Majesty!” Kismet clutched the garment to her chest. “My apologies. I was expecting my sister. Uh, um, Jaryk’s not here.”
“I came to speak to you.”
“Me?” she squeaked.
“I apologize for dropping in unannounced, but I had some free time, and took a chance you would be here. I thought we should become better acquainted.”
Hurry, Karma, hurry.Pleeeaese, don’t get lost.She needed a buffer. What if she said or did the wrong thing? “Uh, sure. That would be great, Your Majesty. Perhaps we should move into the parlor. I can have Lewen bring some refreshments.” He would know what to serve the queen; she had no idea what would be appropriate.
“If it’s all the same to you, I’m fine right here. Would it be all right if I sit?”
“Please do.”
The queen sat in one of the tall-backed brocade chairs. Kismet set the outfit on the bed and reluctantly took the seat next to her. “So…” She slapped her hands on her knees, at a complete loss for words. She couldn’t even start off with the weather because they were inside, and she had no idea what the weather was.How about them Star Raiders?Do you think they’ll win the championship?
“How have you been getting along at the palace?” the queen asked.
“Oh! Good. My sister and I explore a little each day—I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course, it is. The palace is your home now. What have you seen that you like the most?”
“It’s all beautiful and grand, but I love the gardens,” she admitted, and then winced.Maybe I should have said the architecture or the artwork.
The queen’s mouth curved into a pleased smile. “Jaryk has been instrumental in the development of those. We’ve always had green space within the palace complex, but he has turned the gardens into works of art.”
“I accompanied him to the preview of the Museum of Alien Horticulture,” she volunteered.
The queen nodded. “One of his pet projects. He’s been working on that for a long time. And what did you think?”
“I loved it. It was fascinating. And there was even an exhibit devoted to Earth.”
“A little slice of home?”
“Yes.”
“Leaving your planet, your people, and your family must be hard. I assume you have more family besides your sister?”
“Our mother.”
“You are close to her?”
“Yes.”
“She must miss you as much as I would miss my children if they were to move far away.”
Was that the queen’s way of saying she wished Kismet would go home? She had no idea how to respond, but the mention of her mother caused a lump to form in her throat. Although vastly different in personality and outlook, Destiny was her biggest supporter and cheerleader. Maybe because Karma was tuned into their mother’s frequency, Destiny worried more about Kismet, often reading the tea leaves and tarot cards to check in on her. It was her way of showing she cared.
“I miss her, too,” she said.
“I know my son married you to avoid marrying Alia.”
She gulped at the queen’s unexpected outspokenness. Why did Jaryk have to be gone today? Why couldn’t Karma have found her bearings and not gotten lost just this once? Unable to come up with a response, she dropped her gaze to avoid staring like a deer in the headlights.
“You may have gotten the wrong impression,” the queen said.
