Page 38 of The Shadows Between Us
My ultimate task is difficult. I have to have the appearance of courting the king, but I also have to appear to Kallias as though I only want to be friends. All while actually trying to get him to fall in love with me.
It’s such a fine line to walk.
I make it as far as a deserted hallway, unsure of where to go next, when a figure rounds a corner.
“Leandros!”
“Alessandra! Are you seeking me out, now? Was it our time together at the play? Have you finally seen reason and broken things off with Kallias?”
I mask the grin that wants to surface. “I’m actually looking for Kallias.”
Leandros looks around himself questioningly. “Around my quarters?”
I groan. “Is that where I am? I’m looking for the meeting rooms. A servant directed me this way.”
“These are the guest quarters. I assure you the king isn’t anywhere on this floor.”
“And I paid that last man a necos for directions. Clearly I’ve been led astray.”
“Or you took a wrong turn.”
“You dare suggest the blame lies with me?”
A twinkle appears in his eye. “You’re being courted by a king. I wouldn’t be surprised if your mind was elsewhere while you traveled the castle.”
I narrow my eyes. “I’m not the sort of lady to swoon at a title.”
“What sort of lady are you?” he asks, his voice taking on a playful tone.
“The kind who likes attention from her would-be intended.” I hadn’t meant to say it aloud, but the bitter thought surfaced, nonetheless.
Leandros nods, as though that makes perfect sense to him. “May I escort you to the meeting rooms? I have nothing better to do than spend time with a beautiful woman.”
I nod gratefully. “Please do. At this rate, the king will have already left by the time a competent servant directs me the right way.”
“We’re still blaming the servants, are we?”
I’m of half a mind to smack him.
Leandros laughs at the look on my face. “Forgive me. This way.” He offers me his arm, and I take it.
After a few moments, I say, “I can’t believe I’m reduced to this. Looking for him during his meetings.” Leandros will only think I’m put out that the man who is courting me doesn’t have time for me.
“A king is very busy,” he says. “I’m sure if he could spend more time with you, he would.”
“Is that what you told yourself when he pushed you away?” I ask.
The muscles in the arm I’m clinging to tighten. Perhaps that was too harsh.
“No,” he says at last. “I knew Kallias needed to heal after the death of his parents. He’d just finished grieving over his brother, only to have his parents taken from him. I gave him time, because I thought, eventually, he would lean on me and his other friends for support. But he hasn’t recovered.”
“Kallias had a brother?” I ask.
“You don’t remember the death of the crown prince?”
I shake my head.
“You would have been young when it happened. Xanthos Maheraswas Kallias’s older brother of two years. I’m told the king looked up to his brother, but I didn’t know him then.”
