" Tarn Biardi, it is a pleasure to see you again." Jullien smiled a confident smile that told her how much arrogance the ugly thing possessed.
She smiled stiffly. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Your Highness," she replied, wishing she could think of a way to get him out of her face.
His fingers stroked hers as he stared into her eyes with a desire that churned her stomach. As he was flipping a lock of coal black hair from his shoulder, his smile turned seductive. His obvious vanity annoyed her. As fat and ugly as he was, he'd be lucky to find a concubine willing to service his needs. No doubt he thought himself quite a catch because of his wealth and money.
Kiara glanced at Nykyrian. He looked calm except for his tense hands which clutched the menu, and she had the distinct feeling it was taking all his self-control not to leap at Jullien and strangle the prince. Facing Jullien, she met his gaze and had to stifle a shudder at his mutated greenish-brown eyes ringed in blood red.
His smile widened. "I've spoken with my father about bringing you back to Triosa to perform. He is as enthralled with your beauty and talent almost as much as I." Jullien almost scintillated in satisfaction.
Nykyrian lowered the menu. "Emperor Aros is exceedingly generous to say such things," he gritted out between clenched teeth.
Jullien raised a disbelieving eyebrow and turned around in his chair to face Nykyrian.
Kiara held her breath, unsure of what would follow. No one spoke to a prince unless acknowledged beforehand.
"I wasn't aware you had been spoken to," Jullien said in a voice Kiara knew would set Nykyrian's temper blazing.
Nykyrian's lips curled into a fierce snarl. "I don't recognize your higher order of rules."
Jullien's eyes narrowed and for a m oment, Kiara thought he might call his guards to arrest Nykyrian. "You are one of my subjects. I demand proper respect!"
"Titana tu."
Kiara didn't know what Nykyrian's deadpan response was, but by the amount of color suffusing the prince's cheeks, she knew it was not polite. She prayed Nykyrian calmed down before Jullien's Andarion guards attacked him.
"I have never known an Andarion to bleach their hair a giakon color," Jullien sneered.
Kiara held her breath, fearing Nykyrian's response.
"Better than being fat, you rounded— "
"Your Highness," Kiara interrupted before the tensing guards could launch themselves at Nykyrian. "I would be honored to perform on Triosa. If you contact m y manager, I'm sure something can be arranged." She offered Jullien a false smile.
Jullien glared intensely at Nykyrian. "Very well, mu Tarn. I have no desire to further embarrass you." Jullien stood, his eyes locked on Nykyrian's face.
Nykyrian sat there, his arms folded across his chest as if nothing in the universe was wrong. Kiara waited until Jullien had left before she narrowed her own eyes at Nykyrian. "That was unbelievably rude!"
"I get worse with age."
Kiara's palm itched to slap him. She had never been so angry at one person in her life.
"Why did you attack him that way? What has he ever done to offend you?"
"He was born."
Nykyrian's aloofness wore at her nerves. Kiara sat back in her chair. "Fine," she snapped.
Kiara continued to stare at his stoic face until she couldn't bear it any longer. "I'm tired of you locking me out. I might as well go after Jullien. I'm sure he would gladly welcome me!"
The look that crossed Nykyrian's face startled her. For a moment, she thought about apologizing, but her anger held fast. He had started this argument, let him deal with her foul mood.
"You would probably enjoy having his bastard children," Nykyrian snarled in a vicious whisper. "Don't flatter yourself for one minute into thinking he would have you as anything more than his kept mistress."
The insult brought a blush of rage to her cheeks. "How dare you! Do you think you could do better? I haven't seen any woman want you at all!"
The moment the words left her lips and her brain registered them, Kiara gasped. She couldn't believe she had said that. How many times had her father warned her to keep her mouth closed when she was angry?
"Nykyrian," she said softly. "I'm so sorry." He sat there unmoving until she feared she would scream.
"I think we should leave," he said, standing. Kiara looked up at him. There appeared to be no anger in his face or body.
Worse, Kiara detected she had hurt him deeply by her callous, stupid comment. "What are your feelings toward me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I think you know."
She shook her head. "No, I don't. One minute you hold me as if you fear I'm going to leave you, then the next you snap and hiss like you want me to leave."