Page 20 of Jon’s Desert Prince Dream

A single horn let out a long, sonorous note. Ah, we must be ready to go in. Finally. The sooner we could start this, the sooner it could be over. The temptation to scoop Jon up and carry him back to my rooms lingered, but…needs must.

With a resigned sigh, I extended a hand to him. “Shall we?”

Jon took my hand, blue eyes twinkling like he was laughing at me internally. He likely was.

“It’ll only feel like the banquet goes on forever, Prince Donovan.”

That was what I was afraid of.

7

I was escorted in without fanfare or announcement, my hand on Prince Donovan’s arm. I’d heard different countries had different court arrangements, and indeed that seemed to be quite true, as this wasn’t the setup I’d expected. Instead of rows of tables, the room was a very large square, and there were groups of divans, comfortable pillows, and low tables. Each chair had its own server to bring food and wine to, and the tables sat side by side, leaving a large open space in the middle. The easier to speak with neighbors, or wander about the area, speaking to whichever group you pleased?

I suddenly understood why court dinners could take three hours. Most of it was likely spent gossiping.

There didn’t seem to be any sort of ranking to the seating, but the center dais in the middle held the royal family, specifically the queen and her young son, who was four years old and adorable. Ah, wait, the king was coming in now to join them.

Prince Donovan led me directly to the king. He’d coached me on how to greet them while we got ready, and it wasn’t anything complex or elaborate, but nerves fluttered in my stomach.

All three of them stopped and looked at me curiously.

“Prince Donovan, is this him?”

“It is, My King. This is Jonathan Bane.”

I touched fingertips lightly to my forehead, to my lips, then to my heart before bowing my head. “My King, it is a great honor.”

“How graciously you greet me, when you are the one divinely touched.”

The king rose from his chair, crossing the three-foot span between us. He looked much like Prince Donovan, really, with the same massive build and close-cropped hair. His eyes were the darkest I’d ever seen on a human being, but his lines utterly distracted and fascinated me. This wasn’t a soft, pampered human being, but a man who had seen much fighting and hardship. He bore the experience and the scars, and it had tempered him into a very empathetic, sensible man. His aura shone bright, and I suddenly understood why Prince Donovan respected this man so very much.

“I understand you are a Reader, and that you have chosen to become a citizen of our country?”

“Both correct, My King.”

“We are very honored that you chose Tennoa as your new home. And I personally can’t wait to see what you do with your life here. You are one to make waves, Jonathan Bane, your very entrance into my country proved so.” He paused and looked me over curiously. “What do you see when you look at me?”

I think he wanted a better understanding of how my eyes worked. “You’re forty-two, you were born near the sea, you’ve fought in many battles to earn your place as king, and you’re an incredibly devoted husband and father. You love your family to bits and it influences every decision you make. You know how to listen and truly communicate with people, which makes you a wise and beloved ruler. Your aura and soul are bright, bright enough I’m glad for these glasses, as you’d have blinded me by now.”

“The gods have indeed blessed us,” he said delightedly. “Your eyes are truly incredible. I’m told you can see psychic talents?”

“Yes, easily.”

“We suspect my son has something?”

I turned my head to look, and while it did take a second, the power was very clearly there. I blinked, blinked again, and then let out a low whistle. “Wow. He’s a Clairvoyant.”

Both parents looked at their child, their delight immediate and obvious.

“A very rare talent!” The queen beamed at her son and kissed the top of his head. “I suspected something, but not that!”

“I bet he unconsciously boosts any psychic who gets near him,” I muttered, a little ruefully because his power was visibly reacting to me standing there. “It likes to be used. Perhaps find a way to give him some experience on a more child-friendly level?”

“We will certainly do that.” The queen dipped her head toward me. “Thank you, Jonathan Bane, for so directly answering that question. It’s a relief to have a firm answer.”

“My pleasure.”

The king put a hand on my shoulder, leaning down a little to meet my eyes, as he was a good half head taller than me. Then again, in this country, who wasn’t taller?