“Youlovehim.”
“Well, of course I do. I wouldn’t make a baby with him if I didn’t!”
“Ha! I knew it!” her sister pounced.
“Okay, fine. We’re trying for a baby,” she admitted.
The server brought the food they’d ordered—savory golden “grapes” covered in green sauce with a side of alien fruit. Karma speared one of the golden orbs and ate it. A crispy coating covered the outside; savory meat filled the inside. “Delicious! Good choice!” she commended her sister, who’d ordered the meal. “How did you know what to get?”
“I asked the queen to recommend a place and a dish.”
“Oh, good. I don’t know what much of anything is yet. Falkor is teaching me.”
“I wondered why he announced the names of the food at dinner the other night.”
“That’s why. Queen Myka made a good choice. Do you see her often?”
“Every now and then. Jaryk confers with his parents, and I sometimes accompany him.”
“I haven’t seen the queen or king since the wedding.” She doubted her husband had either. She sensed distance between him and his parents, although he was very close to his brother. “It’s good your relationship with the queen is progressing,” she said wistfully.
“I like her a lot. She’s much less formal, rather motherly in private. She can’t take Mom’s place, but having her around helps.” She sighed. “I miss Mom a lot.”
“Me, too.” Destiny Kennedy lived on Earth. There was no telling when or if they’d ever see her again. “I wish she could visit—” Karma frowned at the sight of a woman sitting in the corner. She was only able to catch a glimpse before the woman turned her head.Where do I know her from?
“What are you looking at?”
“That woman with the hat pulled over her eyes.” Her back was to them now.
Kismet twisted in her seat to look. “Who is she?”
“I can’t place her, but I think I know her from somewhere.”
“Where?”
“If I knew where, I’d know who.”
“Maybe you encountered her in the palace?”
“Maybe.” She shrugged. “I’m sure it will come to me—at three o’clock in the morning.”
Kismet laughed.
Most likely she had encountered her on one of Falkor’s business jaunts. She’d met a lot of people—vendors, factory workers, retail clerks. Falkor frequently toured his manufacturing plants and stores. Everyone was eager to show off and give the prince a “tour,” not realizing he owned the company. She wished she could tell Kismet about his business, but he hadn’t given her the go-ahead. She was so proud of him, and she hated how he’d unjustly acquired a reputation as a reprobate playboy.
“Good afternoon, ladies!”
She jumped at a familiar voice. “Soton?”What is he doing here?
“We’ve got to stop meeting like this.” He winked. “For a moment, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I knew I’d be seeing one beautiful woman. I didn’t realize I’d be seeing double.”
He’s so smarmy.
“Excuse me, I don’t think we’ve met,” Kismet said.
“This is Soton. He’s…a friend of Falkor’s.” She reluctantly introduced them. “Soton, this is my sister Kismet.”
“A pleasure.” He bowed.
