“Hence why I thought it odd when she did not visit after my fall. Apparently her mother forbade it then, too.”
He frowned at the mountainside. “I am certain she will find you in some moment when her mother is absent.” That was met with nothing but silence, which drew his attention
back to her incredulous face. “What?”
She shook her head. “Do you know her so little? She never crosses her mother, even when Parsisa is not there to guarantee obedience.”
Something knocked around inside, like a marble off stone. “I have barely spoken to her since we left Susa, so I suppose I know her little indeed. Is that, too, because of
my aunt? Does she not approve of me?”
Kasia sighed and looked to the side, as if for an escape from the conversation. “Of course she approves of you.”
The marble rolled to a rest in his throat. “Then Artaynte simply dislikes me.”
“No.” Her eyes slid closed. A breath huffed out as she opened them again. “Did you know that Parsisa kept your uncle guessing as to her true feelings for nearly five
years before finally agreeing to marry him?”
“No, and I do not see what . . .” He cut himself off with a curse and spun away, only to spin back again. “She toys with me? This is all a game to her?”
Kasia shook her head. “Far from it. It is of the utmost importance, hence why she is so careful to follow her mother’s advice down to the last jot and tittle.”
Was that hope fluttering from his stomach to his throat? It had been so long since he had felt any where Artaynte was concerned, he was not sure. “Then she cares for me?”
“I should not have gotten involved in this.” She took a step back, hands up. “This is between you and Artaynte.”
“Apparently it is between us and Parsisa.”
A corner of her mouth tilted up. “Granted. And while I never much liked the advice Parsisa gives, it would seem I am not such an expert on things of love either, so I ought
to keep myself out of it.”
Darius chuckled. “Your current disagreement with my father has little to do with your approach to love—your feelings for one another have always been clear, which I
greatly admire. I imagine when he returns and apologizes for his rash words, you will rush back into his arms.”
Her lips smiled. Her eyes remained unconvinced.
He sighed. Nothing, it seemed, guaranteed a firm foundation for a marriage. Political arrangements held little affection and too much intrigue. Matches made for love
disintegrated under the scorch of time and politics. How, then, could he ever hope to forge a lasting relationship with Artaynte?
Kasia stepped closer again, her expression soft. “I think the two of you will find your way. You care for one another, and there is no better match imaginable.”
No, that was not hope fluttering. It was dread. “And if we married, she would sever her bonds of obedience to her mother and dedicate herself to me instead?” He shook his
head and drew in a ragged breath. “I thought if I won her heart, it would be truly mine, and we would have what no one else in Persia seems to. But if she has cared for me
all this time and denied it so completely because of her mother, how am I ever to trust her?”
Kasia speared him with a sharp gaze. “And how is she to trust your affection, when you spend each spare moment seducing every young maiden you can find? You have no call to
be angry over games, my prince, when you play them yourself.”
Why could Artaynte not speak her mind like this? At least then he would know where he stood with her. He grinned and held out his arm to guide Kasia back the way they had
come. “I am duly chastised. And if I give up the maidens, do you think Artaynte will give up the disdain?”
She sighed and fell in beside him. “I cannot say. I hope so.”
“Perhaps I will try it and see.” And perhaps he would speak with Parsisa about her ridiculous decision to separate Artaynte and Kasia. How could his aunt think this lovely
creature anything but a good influence on her daughter?
“I pray the two of you work things out.” She paused just outside the door. “I nearly forgot—I promised to mention that Bijan was in the company that brought me here, and
he would enjoy visiting with you if you have the time before he leaves.”
“I shall seek him out, thank you.” But he frowned. “You got to know him well enough on the journey to carry messages for him?”
“He and my brother were friends in Susa.” She offered a small smile. “If you will excuse me, prince, I am rather tired.”