Page 69 of Ahelno
I didn’t think being harassed on the street really counted as a good-faith declaration of interest, not that I wanted it, but I kept that thought to myself.
“Now that you have accepted Prince Dakleth’s courtship, expect others to follow suit,” she said.
“What? I never accepted anything,” I said.
“The bushes planted in your garden say differently,” she replied, amusement dancing in her eyes. “Expect to be bombarded with suitors,” she continued. “Although the Prince is a rather intimidating male. He may scare them off.”
Well, crap on toast, I couldn’t handle any more male attention than I’d already gotten.
The doorbell chimed, and when I opened it, a nervous Manoko practically vibrated on my step. “G-greetings Lumanela,” he sputtered.
“Blessings and all that,” I said shortly. Manoko had never been my favorite male. “Can I help you?” No way was I inviting him in for Oonag, courtesies be damned.
He bowed to me formally and extended a basket of smoked sunac to me. “I see that you are finally accepting courtship, and I wish to declare my intentions,” he said stiffly.
“Ah, just a moment,” I said, and quickly closed the door. “Camavel!” I whisper-shouted. “What do I do?”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Manoko wants to court me, and I 100% know I do not want that. No way. I wouldn’t choose him if he were the last man on Earth… well, last male on Ptekennan, whatever. It’s a hard pass. HARD PASS,” I said.
“I will handle this,” she said. She breezed past me and opened the door.
“Manoko, you have no business courting Andie. You know she is already mated to Prince Dakleth. He is courting her as a courtesy because he skipped the formalities, and wishes to honor his mate, nothing more. Go home.”
Manoko’s wings wilted, and he hung his head. If I didn’t dislike him so much, I might actually feel sorry for him. He handed the basket to Camavel. “Here, you can have this Camavel,” he said dejectedly as he turned away.
“Ugh, thank you,” I said when she shut the door.
“Perhaps you are not immune to the Prince’s charms after all,” Camavel smirked at me.
”What do you mean?” I asked.
“Your reactions are very telling. You dither about the Prince’s courtship, but you are clear that Manoko is not even under consideration. Perhaps you are more open to the Prince than you realize.”
I sighed. “My feelings about the Prince are…complicated.”
“Just so,” she replied. “You were right to turn away Manoko. He is not a strong enough male for you. Others may come, though, and you should consider them.”
“Why?”
“Do not be won so easily, Andie!” she laughed. “Even a Prince needs competition.”
I thought about Dakleth’s reactions to Leo and to Gafand’s comments. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I said. “He has a jealous streak. A violent one.”
“The best males usually do,” she grinned at me.
I rolled my eyes at her. “Come on, walk me to Robnar’s,” I said. “I need a new gown for the Charonu ball.”
CHAPTER 52
Andie
I called M’Pak to accompany Camavel and me to Robnar’s studio. If other males thought I was “open” to courtship, there was a good chance I’d get stopped on the street. I let him know what was happening, and he gave an amused chuff but agreed to look especially growly at any males who thought to approach.
I was glad he was with us. I swear, every villager was in the market square today, and they stared at me intently as they gossiped. I knew they meant no harm in it, even if the scrutiny was a bit awkward. Several of the women waved, smiling at me, then turning to each other in easy camaraderie. The males eyed me in a more speculative manner, which made me a bit uncomfortable. A couple started forward as if to come speak to me, but M’Pak stared at them and growled until they slunk away.
Camavel walked at my side, regal as a queen, as if she would never deign to lower herself to speak on such matters. Liar. She was the biggest gossip of them all. As soon as I was out of sight, I knew she would eagerly reveal our entire conversation to everyone in the square. I was careful what I told her because of that, but it could be useful now.
