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Jasmine let out a soft sigh; “I am always there for him, day and night. It’s the least I could do.”

At that, something plunged in Neera’s chest. The revelation of what had been stressing Zavian coupled with the knowledge that it was Jasmine helping him get through it – made her feel like a fool.

What use was their relationship if he could not trust her enough to tell her about what was happening to her own kind? And to imagine him coming back from a stressful day of meetings, only to go into the arms of his wife to ease his burdens. She was nothing but a bed warmer in that regard.

Neera could feel the sting behind her eyes. She was well adept at holding back her tears, so it took her no effort to blink them away. Adjacent to her, she was surprised to see the Duke had pinned her with a fierce stare. How long had he been looking at her?

“I miss home,” Jasmine sniffled. She looked up at Neera with her watery eyes. “We should go after the party together, and I can show you everything we talked about.”

“I’ll see about it”, the Duke finally spoke. His voice was domineering, reflecting his position of power. Neera squirmed under his gaze, and when he did look away, only briefly, to look at his daughter, and then his tight gaze went back to her.

Jasmine reached for the teapot to pour her mother more tea, but only drops came out, the hot liquid had finished.

“I forgot how much you love lemon tea,” Jasmine said. “I’ll send for more for you.”

.....

“Yes, Neera, another one please”, the Duchess said, not looking up as she stirred her tea in that same noiseless fashion as her daughter’s. “And please, some more honey too.”

Neera’s arms tightened around herself, and Jasmine frowned. “Neera isn’t a maid, Mother.”

“Well, you cannot make a pumpkin a watermelon, can you now, dear?” The Duchess asked. “And besides, is it too much to ask for her to host the Queen’s parents?”

“We have maids for that”, a new voice boomed in the room. All eyes turned to the door as the King strode in, hands crossed at his back and dressed in all black, his stance a formidable presence in the room. “And I fancy both pumpkins and watermelons, I find them…”, his gaze held Neera’s. “… very sweet.”

If Neera had her way, if she didn’t give a damn about manners or rumors or repercussions, she would have stood and dragged Zavian by the hand out of the room. She would have led him to the chambers, and stayed there till morning comes, coming undone with his touches, and she will be hidden from the sight of the Queen or her parents, or anyone till they all left.

But she was not that Neera anymore. So she stayed and held her head high, ready to stand for herself if the situation came.

“Your Majesty”, the Duke and the Duchess were on their feet in greeting. Jasmine stepped forward and smiled up at him as a lovely wife would. Zavian’s face didn’t soften at that, and his glare fired from Duke to Duchess.

“I apologize for not welcoming you at the gates. I had a meeting to attend.” He said.

“No problem. The Queen has filled us in already with the current state of affairs.” The Duke said.

“Really? And if she did, shouldn’t such a matter be treated with utmost importance rather than Neera?” Zavian asked.

Silence fell in the room. Neera caught Zavian’s eyes, and patted the small space next to her, urging him to come sit.

“Come,” Jasmine held his hand and pulled him to herself. “Come sit next to mother. She brings news from Selesee.”

“Unfortunately, I am much comfortable over there”. He jerked his head in Neera’s direction. Without another word, Zavian walked up to Neera, and although the seat could not hold them both, he sat on the arm of the chair, and with his left arm, drew Neera close to him. His formidable gaze scanned the room, inviting a dare, a comment, a disagreement at his actions, but instead, he was met by stone-cold silence and noses upturned in discreet displeasure.

Jasmine didn’t miss the disappointment on her father’s face at her when she took the space next to her mother, a promise of an earful later on.

The Duke cleared his throat. “How did the meeting go?”

“Very well, indeed,” Zavian responded. “Jasmine has been looking forward to this party, and I hope it takes our minds off a lot of things.”

“Let’s discuss the party then,” the Duchess welcomed his change of topic. She sat up and continued;

“I do want to add some of Selesee’s traditional food to the menu. If you don’t mind, I brought a cook down with me to guide the kitchen staff.”

“Of course, you are welcome to do so,” the King said.

“And Jasmine told me you haven’t any special clothes made for the occasion,” the Duchess remarked carefully.

“I have more clothes than I have use of.”

“But certainly a brand new one,” the Duchess pressed. “A mark of your brand new life together. Goodness, your Highness,” her lace-gloved hand fanned her face, a nervous chuckle escaping her. “Someone might recognize clothes worn before.”

“I understand, but I do have bigger issues to worry about”, Zavian said. He squeezed Neera’s shoulder, and the gesture didn’t go missed by the Duke. Maybe it was a demon thing, but if the room was a cauldron, they would all be boiled inside by the Duke’s rage. Even Neera could feel the sweat dampen her clothes.

“I don’t mind”, Jasmine said. She leaned in Zavian’s direction conspiratorially. “And besides, all eyes will be on me that day, so you don’t have to worry.”

Zavian looked at Neera then, his hand going up and down her arm, as if to comfort her. Warmth spread from the fabric to her skin, and she leaned into him, closing her eyes to avoid glares meant to set her ablaze.