Chapter 80

“After the archery contest,” Kit said, leaning in, and Jate reluctantly nodded, “you didn’t seem particularly happy with the prize. Why was that?”

He twirled her around again, glad that this portion of the song would allow him the opportunity to think for a moment before answering. Her eyes were penetrating blue orbs when she turned back to face him. “Pardon me for that offense, Your Majesty,” he said with a bow of his head. “I’m afraid I’m not used to getting that sort of attention.”

“Is that so?” she asked, tipping her head back in surprise. “Someone as handsome as you, not used to kissing girls?”

Jate could feel the heat rising in his face. If only she knew the truth.... But then, he had done his best to hide it thus far and wasn’t about to divulge all of his secrets now. “Well, not in front of a legion of her suitors.”

Kit giggled, and he hoped that meant she accepted his explanation. Perhaps he had a chance at staying a bit longer after all. “So... it wasn’t because you did not wish to kiss me?”

“No, my Princess. That was not the case at all.” He might not be completely truthful about everything, but he was certainly being honest now.

“Good,” she said, twirling around one last time as the song came to an end. “Because I would like for you to join me in my chambers this evening.”

Jate froze, completely caught off guard. He missed the next step, causing the couple next to them to bump into his side. He sheltered the princess from the impact by pulling her around at just the last moment, but Merek of Calster, a big brute of a man, barreled into him, almost knocking them all to the floor, including the scrap of a noblewoman the other Representative had in his arms.

“Hey, where did you learn to dance? Did your one-legged nana with tits too heavy to lift off of the floor teach you?” Merek shouted at Jate before his eyes shifted to the princess. “Oh, beg your pardon, Princess. I didn’t realize....”

“You are an insipid cow, Merek of Caster!” Katrinetta shouted, glaring at him. “If I hear you use that word again, I’ll send you back to your own nana, do you understand, you filthy beast?”

Merek’s bushy eyebrows shot up toward his dome of a balding head, and for a moment, Jate thought he might actually say something ugly to the princess. If the bastard dared to do so, Jate would step in on her behalf. Merek might have fifty pounds on him, but the man was mostly lard, and Jate was certain there would be others who’d like to have a piece of the rowdy, dirty-mouthed jackass.

“Yes, Princess,” was all he said before he slowly began to back away.

It seemed like the entire crowd was staring at them now, though a glance around told him that it was mostly just the couples nearby. And the queen; Queen Rona was looking at him like she thought he was a bumbling idiot. Once again, Jate’s face turned pink.

A new song began, and several other couples danced around them. Jate was surprised to see no one else was at the ready, begging the princess for her hand, but perhaps the other Representatives had the good sense to give the woman a moment. “Are you all right?” she asked him, and Jate nodded, thinking he should be the one asking her that question. He’d nearly gotten her run over, after all.

“I apologize, Princess. I hope you haven’t been injured.”

Once again, Kit giggled. She rested her hand on his shoulder, and he realized how tense he had been. The warmth from her palm soothed his muscle, and he felt himself begin to relax. “I’m just fine. So sorry my question threw you so off guard. I thought, perhaps, you knew what it was about when I’d requested your company.”

“Not at all,” he admitted, though he didn’t go so far as to tell her he thought she’d been about to send him home. “I never would’ve guessed that.”

It was difficult to tell in the dim lighting of the ballroom, but he thought perhaps she was blushing a bit herself. “Well, my sweet Jaterius, you still haven’t answered my question.”

“I haven’t?” he asked, shaking his head to clear his mind. “No, I guess not.”

“You guess not?” Kit’s eyes were wide, and she tipped her forehead toward him in disbelief.

Hurriedly, Jate tried to back track. “I mean... that is to say... not that I won’t. I will. I guess I haven’t answered you. About your question. From earlier. I will.”

“You will answer me... or you will join me?” Kit still looked slightly confused, though the amused expression in her eyes was a clue that she had deciphered what he was trying to say well enough to no longer be offended.

“Yes—Princess. I will be there.” He drew in a deep breath, satisfied that his answer was clear now, and she smiled at him, which might’ve set him at ease if the reality of what he’d just agreed to wasn’t pressing so heavily on his chest.

“Wonderful,” she said, taking a step backward. “I shall let you know when I wish to retire.”

Jate nodded, and as if the rest of the Representatives suddenly realized his turn was over, they descended upon the princess, hands extended, even though the song was half over.

Happy to have a chance to gather his wits about him, Jate twined through the dancers, making his way quickly back to where he’d been standing before. Cassius was still there, though Reeve had moved on, and he thought he’d seen Danyen over with the others hoping for a turn to dance with the princess.

“You all right, my friend?” Cassius asked, clapping him on the shoulder.

“Yes, fine. Just fine,” Jate replied, wishing he had a stout drink in his hand and thinking he’d best find one sooner rather than later. If only Cassius was the sort of friend he knew well enough to talk about private issues with, perhaps the other man would be willing to assist him with his problem. But he didn’t know Cassius well enough to admit to him the secret he’d been hiding from the princess. Hopefully, even though he would be joining her in her chambers shortly, she still wouldn’t find out, though Jate had a feeling he wouldn’t be able to fool her for long.

He kept his eyes glued to the princess as she twirled around the ballroom floor on Danyen’s arm and tried to steady his breathing. Regardless of whether or not the princess discovered what he was hiding, at least he’d have the opportunity to pleasure her—or try to anyway—and that was more than a simple miner from Rockdale would’ve ever dreamt of. Though it might end up costing him his chance at being Roomed, it would be worth it to spend the evening with the princess.