Seraya drifted down the marble corridor, her lips tingling, her cheeks still warm from the kiss that had completely unraveled her in the garden. Her steps were light, her pulse unsteady, and no amount of self-scolding could wipe the dreamy look from her face.
Bee-stung lips. That's what the girls back home used to call it—when your mouth was kiss-swollen and traitorous.
She rounded the corner and nearly ran headfirst into Jenna.
Jenna's brows lifted, eyes narrowing as she looked Seraya over. "Where have you been?"
Seraya hesitated, fighting the flush creeping higher on her neck. "Nowhere."
"Nowhere?" Jenna's gaze sharpened. "You look like you just stepped out of a romantic ballad. Face all dreamy, lips all…" Her eyes widened, scandalous realization dawning. "Oh my gods. Who?"
"Shh," Seraya hissed, grabbing Jenna by the wrist and tugging her into a shadowed alcove, hidden from view.
"Seraya—what—"
"I'll tell you. But you have to swear to keep this secret." Her voice was low, fierce.
Jenna crossed her arms. "Since when have I ever—"
"Swear it, Jenna."
Jenna exhaled, then nodded. "Fine. But you're scaring me."
Seraya glanced down the hall to be sure they were alone, then whispered, "There's a guard… his name's Lex."
Jenna's eyes practically popped from her skull. "A guard? You're sneaking around with a guard?"
"It's not like that," Seraya hissed, but her smile betrayed her.
Jenna clutched her chest, mouth agape. "Gods, you're crazy. Absolutely reckless. Do you know what will happen if the king finds out?"
A shadow passed over Seraya's face. "He's already taken everything from me, Jenna… I can't let him have this too."
Jenna stilled, her teasing gone in an instant as she absorbed the quiet ache in Seraya's voice. She studied her, eyes narrowing again, but softer this time.
"You're in love with him… aren't you?"
Seraya didn't answer—just pressed her lips together and nodded, barely.
Jenna groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "This whole time… I thought maybe you'd finally seen reason, fallen for the king like the rest of us. But of course not. No, you had to go and do something stupid."
Despite herself, Jenna laughed—quiet, exasperated, fond. "But… I guess you wouldn't be you if it were any different."
"You won't tell anyone… right?"
Jenna's expression sobered, and she met Seraya's eyes with unwavering sincerity. "Of course not."
Seraya's shoulders sagged with relief. "Will you help me? It's getting harder to slip away—especially with Vera breathing down my neck."
Jenna chewed her bottom lip, thinking. "She's been worse than usual… probably because of the king's absence. The whole harem's on edge. But… during the ball tomorrow—two days from now—we won't be attending, and maybe your… guard won't either."
Hope flared bright and eager in Seraya's chest. "The ball… gods, I forgot about that. That could work. Plus, I don't think he'll be attending, he's just a low-level guard. He's always wandering around. Has entirely too much time on his hands if you ask me. "
Jenna arched a brow. "He's always 'wandering around' is he? Sounds awfully convenient for a guard."
Seraya frowned, unsure what to make of the look Jenna gave her. But the excitement of possibility drowned it out.
Jenna smiled, the teasing back in her voice. "You're hopeless."
"But you'll help me?" Seraya pressed.
Jenna looped their pinkies together, like they used to as girls. "We're in this together."
The warmth that filled Seraya's chest had nothing to do with Lex this time—and everything to do with knowing she wasn't alone.