“Ah, Lord Selby,” Killian said with a grin. “Good for you to show up.”
“Basille Selby,” Cyrene gasped.
His face snapped to hers, and she could see him visibly tense in irritation. “My lady Cyrene, what a pleasant surprise.”
“You know each other?” Killian asked.
“We were acquainted in Eleysia,” Basille said, coming back to his feet. He strode toward Cyrene, took her hand in his, and bowed deeply. “Excellent to see you again.”
His eyes said otherwise. The last time she had seen him, he had escorted them through the Drop Pass in Kell where they’d been attacked by a Nokkin and rogue Guild members. They’d had to stop an avalanche in the process, and as soon as they had gotten through again, Basille had disappeared. Happy to never see her again, she was sure.
“It’s always such an adventure when you are around,” Basille said.
Killian rose to his feet. “I would love to hear the story of how you met the Domina, Lord Selby. You always tell the best tales.”
“It would be a delight to tell it to you,” Basille said. But his eyes were still on Cyrene’s. They had widened when Killian called her the Domina.
And she narrowed hers back. Saying that they certainly needed to talk about what in the Creator’s name he was doing here and what he knew about the Domina.
Killian held his hand out. “We will leave it for another time. Dance with me, Domina.”
“As you wish,” she said simply, placing her hand in his and letting him guide her out into the crowd.
Killian swept her into the revelry with a flick of his wrist. He had reduced his grandeur for the evening. Gone was the heavy crown and scepter, the sweeping robes. Instead, he was a striking figure in sumptuous gold and ruby. Jewels glittered on nearly every finger. And his smile was one who had never known any difficulties in his life.
“Your new gown suits you,” he said, twirling her in place. “I am surprised you are so bold to match the king.”
She smiled. “Thank you. But red has always been my color. I wear the white now, but old habits bring me back to the red and gold.”
“Well, I do like bold,” he said with a grin. “Now, tell me, how do you truly know Basille Selby?”
Cyrene wondered how much he truly knew about Basille Selby. Clearly, Killian did not think Basille was the simple merchant that Cyrene had believed him to be when he first gave her the Doma book. Did he know of the scandal when Basille had fallen in love with Brigette and been cast out of Eleysia?
“He speaks the truth. We met in Eleysia. I was there, looking for a pair of tutors that I had heard rumors of. He was of assistance and helped me locate them.”
“Tutors? Whatever for? Isn’t Byern known for its extensive training?”
“Indeed. However, my present tutor,” she began, thinking of that moment Kaliana had pushed all of her hard work off of the desk, “wasn’t a good fit. These women were more dedicated to my areas of interest.”
“And what was that, Domina?” he asked with a wicked grin.
“The Doma, of course.”
“Ancient history.”
She grinned. “Yes, and the powers they wielded.”
“Ah, these powers,” he said flippantly. He waved one hand as they executed another turn through the garden dance. “Magic.”
She had known that Tiek did not believe in magic. Few still did here in Emporia. But it had been some time since she spoke to someone who truly did not know that it still existed. It was an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on how she could use it.
“You do not believe?” Cyrene finally asked.
Killian laughed softly. “You have to ask?”
“On tonight of all nights? Is not Beltane a night for the spirits and the faeries? The bonfires are for protection against the things of the night during this equinox. And the yellow flowers are gifts for the little folk. A strange night to disbelieve.”
“It is all for the simpletons,” he said dismissively. “Faeries and spirits are just make-believe. Told to keep children in check.”
“And the populace it seems.”
“Their superstitions satisfy their need for a more fulfilling life.”
Cyrene wanted so badly to tell him just how wrong he was. That magic was real and her best friend was a Leif, a descendent of the Fae. But hearing him speak nonsense was so enlightening.
Their dance ended, and Killian grabbed them each a glass of punch and then moved her toward the bonfires. “Now, if you would like to fulfill our traditions, we make a loop of the three bonfires to ward off another year of the faeries.”
“I would like that very much,” she said with a secret smile.
Killian’s eyes roamed the grounds as they began their circuit. “Where did your guard get off to?”
Cyrene raised an eyebrow. “He is doing his job, Majesty. I do not keep tabs on him. He keeps tabs on me.”
Killian laughed. “Of course. How long has he been in your service?”
Cyrene frowned at his question. It was a leading one. Did he somehow know Dean? Had he met him when he was the prince?
“For a year,” she said.
“And are you two together?”
Cyrene nearly tripped around the bonfire at the question. “Excuse me?”
Killian just chuckled. “I will take that as a yes. We don’t frown upon such things here. Everyone knows that royalty must marry but rarely for love. A lover isn’t forbidden.”
Cyrene recovered quickly. “We’re not.”
“If you say so.”
“And what about you? Do you have a dalliance or plans to marry?” Cyrene asked since he’d broached the topic.
“A dalliance or two,” he said with a wink. “Nothing for you to worry about.”
She was hardly worried. “And marriage arrangements?”
Killian shot her a coy smile. “We can discuss that later.” They turned around the last bonfire. He brought her hand up to his lips one more time. “Now you are saved from the magical faeries. Please tell me that you will come to a private dinner with me during your stay. I would love to continue this discussion without prying eyes and ears.”
Cyrene nodded and pretended to be enraptured by him. “I would love that.”
“Excellent. I will send my man for you when I am free.”
She curtsied. “Thank you for the dance.”
Killian inclined his head and then returned to his place at the head of the court. Eyes followed her as she stepped toward the refreshments and retrieved a second glass of punch. The temperatures had risen rapidly in the last week, indicating the beginning of summer, and this dress did nothing to relieve the heat from the dancing and bonfires.
No one approached her after the king had singled her out. She was familiar with that feeling, too. She had a moment to watch the spectacle and how beautiful it truly was. Even if they were making fun of magic and Fae and all the things she was fighting for. She would show them the truth soon enough.
“Hello, Domina,” Basille Selby said, appearing at her side.
“How is it that you are always where I am?” she asked him.
“I am always trying to hide out, and you are always the one pulling me out into the open.”