How about in fifteen minutes? she replied.
Very good. I’ll put the soufflés in the oven now, and we’ll be ready. Gennita slipped away.
Pia could hear a high, constant buzzing in her ears, which was incredibly annoying. She didn’t know if it was from nerves or the antihistamines, but she had no time for either. Abruptly, she set her glass of wine aside on one of the small tables, turned and came face-to-face with Tatiana, the immaculate, chic and—at least to her—rather frightening Light Fae Queen.
“I’ve always envied Dragos this property,” Tatiana told Pia, as she sipped a glass of sparkling wine. “Dragos certainly made all the right decisions at the right time when he bought the land and hired the architect. Now, of course, the place would sell for tens of millions of dollars—not that he’s in the market to sell it, of course. But if he ever is, do get in touch with me, won’t you?”
The Light Fae Queen wore a backless dress the deep, rich color of claret. It emphasized her golden skin, hourglass figure, and the dark curling hair she had pinned high at the back of her head. Secretive shadows seemed to flicker in her lovely, famous eyes, or perhaps that was just the effect of the night breeze on the nearby candles.
There were actually only twelve attendees on the Elder Races side, as Tatiana’s only companion that evening was the captain of her guard, Shane Mac Carthaigh. Or was he her plus one? He was certainly doing double duty that evening, but Pia wasn’t sure how to categorize him socially.
The Light Fae Queen showed not a single hint of discomfort at the evening’s gathering, either in her beautiful, composed face or in her scent, while Pia felt circles of damp sweat soaking in her dress under her arms.
Envying the other woman her poise, she told Tatiana, “We’ll be sure to let you know, if he ever decides to sell. I think I’ve stuck my head in every room and closet now, at least once, and everything is this beautiful. The attention to detail is everywhere.”
“I can imagine.” Tatiana studied her. “You interest me, young woman. You have a very interesting story that you’ve chosen not to share with the world. Dragos must see something very special about an herbivore of unknown nature. I always thought if he were to mate, it would be with one of the long-lived predators.”
Pia slid a wary sidelong glance at the other woman. Instead of indulging in polite pleasantries, the Light Fae Queen had zeroed in on one of the Cuelebres’ most touchy subjects.
Instead of getting more nervous, however, Pia suddenly relaxed. Both she and Dragos had been dodging questions like that from theWyr for the last eighteen months, and while she used to fumble much more in the beginning, by necessity she’d had to learn to grow a thick skin about the topic.
She gave Tatiana a smile. “You know, I would have thought that too, but it’s funny how things work out. Speaking of which, I’ve been meaning to ask you—is Captain Shane your plus one, or your bodyguard for the evening?”
“Does he have to be one or the other?” Tatiana’s smiling gaze met hers over the rim of her champagne flute.
“In reality, of course not,” Pia told her. “But for dinner plans, yes, I’m afraid he does. Will he be joining us at the table?”
“He would be welcome to, as far as I’m concerned, but I think he would prefer to stand guard.”
She inclined her head in thanks. “That’s what I needed to know. If you’ll excuse me, I need to go make a slight adjustment to the table.”
“Of course,” Tatiana replied. “You’re on duty too, this evening. Everything is lovely, by the way. I do hope we get a chance to chat further sometime this week.”