Lily and the Lion by Honey Phillips
Chapter Fourteen
When Leo reappeared at the entrance to the sitting room, Lily’s mouth went dry. Even though he had admitted the necessity of meeting with the representative, he hadn’t been in a hurry to leave her. Since he had dismissed the obnoxious female, he insisted on serving her food himself. She still wasn’t sure exactly what she had eaten, but the majority of it had been delicious and he had quickly noted her preferences.
Even after they ate, he had remained with her, answering her questions about not only the planets that made up his solar system, but the larger political landscape of the Kaisarian Empire.
“You really have an Emperor?”
“Of course. Why does that surprise you?”
“It just seems very… archaic.”
He shrugged. “There are a number of different systems of government in the Empire. Mafana also has a primarily hereditary ruling class—although they have been known to recognize new Houses if the families have sufficient wealth.”
“What about Yangu?”
“We have a ruling Council, made up of representatives from the top one thousand merchant houses.”
“Who decides which Houses are the top?”
“Top is determined purely by financial standing.”
“So if you’re poor, you have no say in the matter?”
“Your House speaks for you,” he assured her. “And it’s always possible to improve one’s station. My grandfather started with one small mine and built an empire. He had a seat on the Council before his fortieth birthday.”
The pride in his voice was obvious, and she wondered again when he had lost his grandfather, but before she could ask, he started asking her about the government on Earth. They spent most of the afternoon talking, and although she could see the heat in his eyes, he didn’t lay another finger on her. She told herself she wasn’t disappointed.
At last, he sighed and went to prepare for his meeting.
When he returned, the leather loincloth had been replaced by dark blue pants tucked into gold knee-high boots and fastened with a heavy gold belt. Over them he wore a long, sleeveless robe that opened over his chest. The dark blue material matched his eyes and was accented by intricate gold embroidery on each side of the opening. He looked magnificent and imposing, except…
“What did you do to your hair?” she blurted out.
The wild mane he had sported in the jungle had disappeared, replaced by elaborate curls that reminded her of the lead singer of some ‘80s hair band. It didn’t make him less handsome—nothing could do that—but he didn’t look like her Leo anymore.
No, he’s not mine. Even if it felt as if he was.
“My mane? This is the latest style. You do not like it?” He looked more curious than offended.
She shook her head. “Not really. It’s too… formal.”
He stalked towards her. “Then perhaps you should make it less formal.”
When he bent his head down, she swallowed, but she put her hands in his mane, running her fingers through the stiff curls until they were loose and wild around his face again. He purred softly beneath her touch and she had the sudden impulse to forget about his betrayal and just tug him closer. Instead, she took a step back.
The resulting look was a little bit wild, a little bit dangerous, and it made her heart skip a beat.
“There. That’s better.”
She did her best to keep her voice neutral, but she suspected she wasn’t entirely successful. His eyes were fixed on her face.
“You should come with me.”
She licked her lips, almost tempted. “It’s too late.”
“No, it’s not. He’ll wait.”
The unconscious arrogance in his voice made her frown and the impulse to accompany him disappeared. She shook her head.
“I’d rather stay here.”
He studied her face and she wondered if he was going to try and bully her into going.
“Very well,” he said instead, then bent down to brush his lips against hers. “But I will miss you.”
Then he was gone in a swirl of robes, leaving her staring after him, her fingers pressed to her mouth. Dammit. Why did he have to be so sweet sometimes?
She was still staring at the door when there was a quiet knock and another female servant slipped inside. Like the previous female, she was dressed in loose white pants gathered at the ankles and a matching short, sleeveless top. Unlike the other female, she looked nervous, her eyes fastened on the floor.
“Master Leotra sent me to accompany you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Lily scowled at the servant. Didn’t he trust her by herself? Did he think she was going to flee back to the jungle? Part of her was almost tempted, but her previous experiences hadn’t exactly made her confident about her chances of survival.
“I don’t need company,” she snapped.
“Yes, Mistress.” The female seemed to shrink, her hand hovering nervously over the door control. “I-I’m sorry if I offended you.”
Lily sighed. “You didn’t offend me. I suppose you might as well come in.”
“Thank you, Mistress.” The female bobbed her head, then gave her a shy smile, and Lily realized she was just a girl.
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Mata.”
“Come and have a seat, Mata. You can give me your perspective on House Situni.”
“Me, Mistress?”
“Yes. I suspect you might not see things the way Leo does.”
Mata perched nervously on the edge of a cushion as Lily started questioning her but to her surprise, the girl didn’t seem bothered by the social inequities. Even allowing for her natural reticence, she seemed both devoted to the interests of the House and proud of their standing.
“Master Leotra and his grandfather, Master Kubwan, have been very good to us.”
“Doesn’t he have a father? What about him?”
A shadow crossed the girl’s face, and she looked down at her hands. “I haven’t met him. My father doesn’t allow me on house duty while he is here.”
Interesting. Especially in light of Leo’s previous comment about his father expecting servants to be accommodating. But since Mata obviously didn’t want to discuss it, Lily changed the subject to the girl’s family. Both of her parents worked at the lodge, and Mata had been born here on Sayari. Although she mentioned visiting Yangu wistfully, she seemed quite happy with her life and was soon chatting cheerfully.
As night fell, Mata ordered food for Lily—which Lily insisted she share—and then shyly suggested a movie. It turned out to be a sweeping historical epic with a ridiculously over-the-top hero, but the girl was enthralled and Lily found it surprisingly enjoyable. Once it was over, she sent a yawning Mata off to bed.
“But I should wait until Master Leotra returns,” the girl protested.
“I’m just going to bed. You don’t need to sit here and watch me sleep.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
As Mata moved to the door, a sudden thought struck Lily. Leo seemed determined to provide her with a female companion, and she would much rather have Mata than someone like the horrible female who had been there earlier.
“Are you coming back tomorrow, Mata?”
“Me? I’m not sure. There are many servants available.”
“But I don’t want someone else. I want you to come back.”
Mata’s sweet smile lit up her face, then she bobbed her head again. “Yes, Mistress.”
Silence descended after the girl departed, and Lily wondered if she should have let her stay after all. I’m quite capable of being on my own, she reminded herself as she wandered into the bedroom. The massive bed was raised on a slight dais and draped with midnight blue curtains. Despite the overstated opulence, it looked extremely comfortable and she was tempted to climb in. But if Leo returned and found her in bed, he would assume she was waiting for him.
Aren’t you?a traitorous voice whispered. Maybe, but she wasn’t ready to just fall back into bed with him. Instead she returned to the sitting area and curled up on the couch, determined to wait up for him.
By the timeLeotra could escape the formal dinner without unforgivable insult, he was tired and annoyed. He’d only been away from Yangu for two weeks, but he had already forgotten how tedious he found the interplay of communication. Nothing was ever said outright. Instead, a barbed sting would be hidden behind smiling words or a negotiation veiled in casual conversation.
It had taken him most of the lengthy and extravagant meal to discover exactly why Wakala, the representative of House Bishar, had come to Sayari. Hidden in the gentle flow of conversation was a proposal that Leotra take the daughter of the House as his mate. It was not, of course, the first time that such an alliance had been proposed. He was quite capable of maneuvering the conversation in such a way that the representative would have no real indication of his desire to accept or refuse. But somehow, tonight, he couldn’t be bothered. The elaborate meal sat heavy in his stomach, the conditioned air was too cold, and the natural fragrance of the jungle had been replaced by cloyingly sweet artificial scents.
“No,” he said abruptly, interrupting Wakala’s latest conversational gambit.
“I’m sorry, Master Leotra?”
“I will be unable to form an alliance with House Bishar. Although I thank you for the gracious offer,” he added as politely as possible.
Wakala gaped at him, and Leotra almost smiled. Had anyone ever been so blunt with the other male before?
“I-I don’t understand. I never said—”
“I know you didn’t. But we both know that was your intention. I’m simply telling you that you’re wasting your time. I have made… arrangements elsewhere.”
“I was not informed,” Wakala said stiffly.
“It is a very recent development. We have not yet made the announcement, but since our Houses are so closely allied, I wanted to share the news with you.”
As he hoped, Wakala relaxed somewhat. House Bishar was smaller and had less resources, but they were a good business partner and he did not want to damage the relationship with his bluntness.
“I understand, Master Leotra. And now I also understand why I was unable to set up a meeting with you previously.”
Leotra frowned. He’d heard nothing of any request for a meeting. “Is that why you felt it necessary to come to Sayari to meet with me?”
“Why, yes. I have been trying to arrange a meeting for several months, but I was always informed that you were unavailable. Thank you for your candor.”
“You are most welcome. I apologize that you were not informed previously. And I hope that I can rely on your discretion until the official announcement is made?”
Wakala quickly assured him of his silence, but Leotra knew it was unlikely. Gossip was the lifeblood of communication on Yangu.
What possessed me to be so blunt?he wondered as he returned to his quarters. Despite their encounter the previous night, Lily had certainly not been receptive to his claim today. But then again, she had obviously not appreciated the female servant’s interest in him. Perhaps this could work out to his advantage after all.
He was smiling as he opened the door to his sitting area, but his smile vanished at the sight of Lily asleep on the couch. Unacceptable. His female belonged in his bed.
