“Yes. Come this way.” Giving her no chance to gawk, he’d marched them through a confusing maze of corridors lined with imposing full-length portraits of somber-faced people.I guess smiling isn’t the norm for Kaldorans.She wasn’t sure if that made her feel more or less comfortable about her decision.
“I will inform His Highness of your arrival.”
“His Highness?”
“Someone will be with you shortly.” He backed out of the imposing room and closed the door.
“Are you having second thoughts?” Karma asked now.
“Dozens.”
“It’s not too late to change your mind.”
“The marriage ceremony is tomorrow!”
“And this is today. If you don’t want to go through with this, now is the time to say so. We can go home.”
“How? You can work with Mom again at the Mystical Mage, but I quit my job. We let the apartment go. And, we’d have to pay for our passage. I cannot imagine how much a space flight would cost.” Or how to book one! Cosmic Mates had gotten themtoKaldor, but, according to the rules, if she left before the probationary year of marriage ended, she’d have to pay her own way back.
“Those are not insurmountable obstacles.”
Kismet shook her head. “No, I’m sticking to my decision. I haven’t even met Jaryk yet. I came all this way—he’s expecting me. I need to give it a chance.”
“That’s my sis!”
She bit her lip. “The man said he would inform His Highness we’re here. You don’t suppose he was referring to Jaryk, do you? That he’s His Highness? That sounds like…a prince or something.”
“Wouldn’t that be cool?” Karma grinned. “A literal Prince Charming! But no, Ihighlydoubt it—pun intended. Remember, his profile said he was a government official. He’s probably an aide to the prince. If he was royalty, I’m sure he would have said so. Nobody would hide that. Nor would a prince join a matchmaking service to get a wife. I’m pretty sure royal marriages are arranged to solidify alliances, expand the kingdom, produce heirs, blah, blah, blah.”
“That’s a good point,” she said, relieved.
The door slid open, and a Kaldoran man strode in. He wore simple blue-green leggings and a long-sleeve, mid-thigh-length tunic, but the quality of the fabric was obvious. His attire probably cost more than her annual clothing budget. Short blue hair had been styled into audacious, almost-rakish spikes. The blue stripes across a rather patrician nose were not natural but cosmetic, and painted on with a reckless stroke. She noted aresemblance to Jaryk. A relation? Or could the similarity be due to the fact that they were both Kaldoran?
“You must be Kismet Kennedy.” He smiled, disabusing her assumption that Kaldorans didn’t smile. “My name is Falkor. I’ve been eagerly anticipating your arrival. My apologies for having brought you in through the servants’ entrance.”
That grand foyer with the soaring muraled ceiling and gilded floor was in the servants’ area? “Government official” Jaryk must be a servant.Guess I’m not marrying a prince,after all,she thought with wry humor and relief. She desired no pomp or pageantry, just a simple life with a man who would maybe fall in love with her.
“No problem,” she said. “Uh, this is Karma.”
“The handmaid. Yes.” A dismissive gaze bounced off her face.
Karma stiffened, and Kismet could almost see the steam building. “My sister,” she quickly explained, and radioed a silent plea for restraint.Please. Let it pass. Don’t cause a scene.For all that she claimed to be Zen, her twin had a short fuse.
Kismethadsaid she’d be bringing a “handmaid,” but the dismissal surprised her, too.He’s not Jaryk, so he doesn’t understand.Clearly he’d been given some information, but not all. She was sure she’d explained in a later communication that her “handmaid” was, in fact, her twin sister. Pretty sure, anyway.
Maybe?
But even if Karma had been a servant, that was no reason to be impolite.
“Are those your bags?” His gaze settled on the carryalls.
“Yes,” Kismet said.
“The rest of the luggage has already been moved into your temporary quarters.” He flicked a glance at Karma. “Bring those bags,” he ordered.
Smiling at Kismet, he said, “Follow me, and I’ll show you to the guest suite. It includes an attached servant’s closet witha bed for your handmaid. After the ceremony, you’ll move into Jaryk’s—”
“Excuse me!” Karma interrupted.
