She’d planned to leave me.
He’d thought she’d fallen in love with him. Instead, she preferred the charm and banter of a man for whom seduction was just a game.
I thought Karma was different from the rest, that she’d chosen me.He wished he could hate her. Hate would relieve the pain. But he was just sad.
Gods of Kaldor, he didn’t feel up to facing her, finding out her next steps, when she planned to leave.
“Good afternoon, Your Highness! May I get you something?” Tontu spoke from behind him.
What he needed, the servant couldn’t provide. “No, nothing.”
“As you wish, then.”
He heard soft footfalls as the servant retreated. “Wait!” Falkor spun around. “There is something.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“Transport. Get me a hovercar. A small one. Nondescript. No blazing insignia on the vehicle. Send it to the servants’ entrance.” A plan took shape as he spoke. He’d travel incognito out of town. The monarchy owned a couple of summer palaces, but he wouldn’t go there. He’d find a place where he could be anonymous.
“The servants’ entrance?”
“Yes. And pack a bag for me. Plain clothes. Nothing fancy.” Besides the fact that servants always packed for him, he could not bear to enter the bedroom where he’d spent so many passionate nights. He never wanted to sleep in that bed again.
“How many days shall I pack for?”
“Whatever you think is best.”
Tontu looked confused, but Falkor couldn’t provide more direction. He didn’t know how long he’d be gone. He couldn’t think.
How long would it take before Karma left? Today? A couple of days? If she was still here when he got back, then he’d…he’d…he’d cross the bridge when he came to it.
“Will Ms. Kennedy be accompanying you?”
Ms. Kennedy will not be accompanying me ever.“No.”
If his terseness shocked Tontu, the servant gave no indication. Discretion was a prerequisite for palace staff. “Is there anything else, Your Highness?”
“Be as quick as you can. Thank you.”
“Of course.”
He flung himself onto the sofa where he and Karma had spent many an hour cuddling and conversing, getting to know each other. Except what he’d thought he’d known had been false. He loved her, but she did not love him back. He was a temporary husband, a practice spouse. A spare.
He held his head in his hands and stared at the floor. His life had never seemed so bleak. Eventually he’d have to face the king and queen. His parents had been appalled by Karma’sindiscretion. Ironically, she’d drawn the heat away from the revelation about his commercial venture. He’d assumed eventually word would leak out, and there would be an explosion of royal proportions. He never expected to prefer that explosion over what had happened.
“Excuse me, Your Highness. The hovercar is waiting. I packed for several days.”
“I’m sure that will be adequate. Thank you.” He took the case from the servant.
“I’ll carry it down for you,” Tontu said.
“I’ll do it. I prefer to.” He pressed his fingers to his eyelids, recalling his mistake when the sisters had arrived. Kismet had come to marry Jaryk. Falkor had assumed Karma was her servant, and he’d ordered her to carry the luggage.
She’d put him down hard. Had that moment sealed his fate? Had he made a bad impression he’d never been able to recover from?
Taking his case, he left.
* * * *
