Page 15 of The Light Falls
Quicker than I can follow, he picks up the wine menu. “Do you have a preference?” Dark eyes flick to me in question.
Well, the answer used to be “cheap,” but I doubt he would understand. “I’m not picky. Please feel free to choose whichever one you like.” It’s not like I have the first clue on how to choose a “good” wine.
Lorn’s comment about the rebellion eases my irritation with his sister. My gaze shifts back to Allandra, who’s now staring at the table. “Your dress is beautiful. Where did you get it?”
A funny look crosses her face. “It was made for me, of course. Don’t you have a royal seamstress?” She eyes the black pants and silk blouse I’m wearing. “One of my favorite things to do is sketch new outfits for Kenaris, my seamstress, to make. I could design a few for you if you like?”
Insult, or is she just passionate about design? Hard to tell. “Thank you for the kind offer, but my closet is full of clothes I haven’t even worn yet.” More clothes than I’ve owned my entire life.
Our server sets a tasting in front of Lorn for him to approve first, then pours us each a glass.
“Thank you.” I smile at him, and he stiffly bows before he walks away.
Lorn picks up his glass and lifts it to the center of the table. “To our new Queen Merindah.” When he sees my raised eyebrow, he amends his statement. “Queen Meri.”
Feeling silly, I clink my glass with theirs and take a sip. Grapefruit, green apple, and peach assault my tongue.
“It’s wonderfully refreshing.” And potent. I need food. “What’s good here?” Hmm. Several things on the menu look delicious.
Silence. I look up.
Lorn flashes a wry smile. “We’ve never been here, but I hear the salmon is good.” He closes his menu. “That’s what I’m going to order. Allandra?”
With a shudder, she closes her menu. “Salad, of course.” Her nose wrinkles. “I can’t stand the thought of eating meat or any other animal.”
The server comes up to the table. “May I take your order, Your Majesty?”
“The spring chicken with seasonal vegetables,” I tell him as I hand him the menu.
“Very good. Lady Allandra?”
There’s a look of speculation on her face when I glance over at her. It vanishes almost instantly. “Beet salad with champagne vinaigrette.”
Lorn picks up her menu, adds it to his, then hands them to the server. “Salmon with coconut rice.” Placing his forearms on the edge of the table, he leans in closer. “What did you think of the council meeting earlier?”
I take a tiny sip of wine. “There are too many men and not enough women.”
Surprise flits across his face, then he chuckles. “True. Would you like me to step down and let my sister take my place?” His eyes gleam with approval and a hint of desire.
“Don’t be absurd,” Allandra inserts. “He’s only kidding, Your… Queen Meri.” Narrowed eyes flash with irritation. “Why would I be interested in politics?”
Not wishing to start an argument between the two of them, I interject with a better answer to his question. “There’s a lot to learn, but I’m looking forward to learning more about what the people need.” That sounded queenly enough, right? And non-committal?
The tiniest smirk appears on the corner of his mouth, telling me my neutrality wasn’t very convincing. My eyes drift to the rest of his strong, handsome face and firm lips.
“Ahem,” the waiter says, holding my plate in front of me.
Embarrassed, I lean back to let him set it down, then dive in. “Mmm. This is delicious. How’s your salmon?” When I look up, Lorn’s staring at me with an inscrutable look on his face. “Lorn?”
His sister darts a glance at him.
He grins. “Sorry, I was lost in thought. What was the question?”
My eyes drop to his potent smile.
“I simply asked if your food was good.” The husky timbre of my voice makes him lean forward.
“Sweet with a hint of spice. Exactly how I like it.”
