15. Adina

15

ADINA

" Y uh... you!" Jack was saying something, spluttering it, more like, but it was hard to concentrate on him when I had the soft, sweet taste of a peachle in my mouth.

I almost never bought fresh fruit—it was far too damn expensive—but in this case, well, I'd already paid for it so I might as well enjoy it.

"Hmm?"

"You... veil!"

Huh? Oh, I had my veil down. I swallowed so I could talk, relishing the slide of the tender fruit down my throat. "Yeah, a lot of people out here take their veils off when they eat. It's considered fairly impolite in the street, but most restaurants won't even blink an eye."

"But it's immodest!" Jack's eyes were wide, a mix of shock and fascination evident in his expression.

"It's convenient," I parried. "Seriously, it's such a pain to have to lift the damn veil every time I want to eat. What, do you wear it during meals in the palace?"

"Of course, I—" He caught himself, eyes narrowing. "How do you know I come from the palace?"

Oh, you sweet summer child . "It's obvious if you know what to look for," I said gently. "You carry yourself like someone who has never been on the Promenade before—big eyes, small steps. You don't know common niceties like paying before touching. And you're wearing gold." I tapped my index finger against the embroidered hem of his tunic. "That's something only servants in the palace are allowed."

"Oh." He looked a little surprised. Did he really not know that? How sheltered was the palace serving staff? And his soft hand—I wondered what kind of position he had there, what sort of work he did.

It couldn't be laundry or the kitchens because his hands wouldn't be so soft. Besides, he didn't carry himself like someone who served in that capacity.

Entertainment?

Now it was my turn to swallow uncomfortably. Jack was a good-looking guy, from what I could tell so far. Was it so impossible that he was actually a... a... person who specialized in... um...

"Here." I handed the fruit back to him in an effort to change the subject. "I bought it for you. Try it, see what you think."

"I've had peachles before," he said, sounding a little amused.

"Well, see if this one compares to your fancy palace fruit, then!"

He began to lift the bottom of his veil, then paused. For a few seconds he did nothing at all, then finally, with a firm tug, he pulled the veil down until it rested below his chin and took a bite.

"Mmm..." He closed his eyes as he savored the fruit, which was good timing on his part because I needed to pick my heart up from where it had beaten right out of my chest onto the ground.

Before, I had admired his impressive height, the breadth of his shoulders, and his sinuous gait, and I'd thought he was probably a good-looking guy, but this man was next-level. He had the kind of face I'd only ever seen on rais before, with clear skin, a perfect arching nose, full lips, and a strong chin. He was gorgeous, absolute perfection, a physical paragon of a man.

Yep. He definitely had to be in entertainment. No wonder he had such an innocent view of the world—they probably never let this guy out between shows.

"It's very good," he said.

" Hmah ?" I realized I'd been staring and quickly averted my gaze.

"The peachle. Very fresh," he clarified.

"Glad you're enjoying it," I said distractedly. I looked away, desperate for a new subject, the kind that didn't entice me to stare at his lips. "So. Jack. What, um, what brought you beyond the walls tonight?"

It was a nice, open-ended question, I thought. The sort of thing that would ease us into a discourse.

Instead, it seemed to shut him down completely. "I can't talk about it."

"Why not?"

"Because it would be dangerous for you to know."

Dangerous? Who was this guy, a runaway from the harem?

Would the sultan himself call down lightning, or more likely, his defender-bots, from the sky and smite me where I sat?

"We're a ways away from the walls, you know," I said gently. "No one's listening in on what you have to say out here."

"I certainly hope not. I... no." He shook his head, his perfect features set in a stubborn expression. "I'm sorry, I just can't talk about it. You already know too much about me." He fidgeted like he was about to stand up and walk off, and I couldn't let that happen.

"Okay, Jack." I held up my hands the same way the shopkeeper had earlier, in the universal sign for stop and surrender. "That's fine. I won't push."

"You won't?"

"I said that, didn't I?"

Did palace people expect everyone to be crass? I mean, not that I didn't have my moments, but I wasn't about to do anything to make him even more uncomfortable.

I got an idea. "Hey." I flicked my fingers, sending the last of the peachle juice into the river beneath us, then stood up. "Let's go exploring."

"Exploring?" He stood as well, carelessly tossing the peachle pit into the water.

I had to bite my lip to keep from shouting at him. The pit was half the reason to buy a peachle. They had a ten-percent chance of sprouting under the right conditions, and I could have sold that for almost as much as the fruit itself.

Obviously, he was clueless, and I needed to get over it if we were going to have any fun tonight. It was a good lesson for me, honestly.

"Yeah. That's what you came out to do, right?"

"I... yes, but now I think that my plan could have been a lot more carefully put together," he confessed, a sheepish smile playing on his lips.

"Aw, hey." I leaned over and looped my hand around his elbow. "You are with me, so don't sweat it. It's not too late to have fun."

I was already thinking about some of the places he might enjoy—the flying circus was a must, and the nearest speakeasy, and if we timed things right, we could get to the Parade of Lights.

I started to walk back down the metal plank, but he didn't budge, and trying to move him was like trying to push a boulder.

Around my neck, Bingo beeped warningly.

Yeah, Jack was dangerous. I knew that already.

"No more questions, Adina?" he asked, his voice soft but insistent.

I met his gaze, those impossibly perfect eyes searching mine. "No more," I promised. "My lips are sealed." I mimed splicing them shut, hoping to lighten the mood.

Finally, he smiled, a genuine, warm expression that made my heart skip a beat. "All right, then. Show me something fun."

"I can do that," I replied, feeling a surge of excitement.

I should be working, not enjoying myself with this intriguing palace servant, but if he was indeed an entertainer, the poor guy deserved to have some fun.