Chapter 11 #2
I hated him so much.
“Close your eyes,” he murmured, dipping a brush and holding it up.
My pulse skittered. “If you hurt me, you’ll get injured too,” I reminded him as I carefully closed my eyes.
“It won’t hurt if you hold perfectly still.” I could feel the heat of his legs next to mine and the gentle stroking of the brush against my eyelids.
“Only your lips left now,” Zafir said after a minute. “Keep your eyes closed, though.”
“Why?”
“Because some of the products haven’t dried yet, that’s why. And you can’t talk while I do your lips. I’m sure that is next to impossible for you, but just try.”
Light pressure was applied to my lower lip, slightly firm but also slick. I cracked my eyelids open.
Zafir’s face was mere inches away, staring hard at my mouth as he carefully applied another product to my lips.
“Your job tonight is simply to catch Julian’s attention.
If you can make him notice you, he’ll invite you to dinner or out to a play or something.
He has no self-control at all. There, you’re done. ”
He leaned back.
“Am I allowed to start a fight? That would get his attention, I’m sure.”
“No.” Zafir didn’t crack a smile. “Just get his attention. Looking like that, he’s sure to notice you.”
I pivoted to examine my reflection in the mirror and barely recognized the woman looking back at me.
“You made me beautiful,” I said breathlessly, tilting my head one way then another.
He screwed the lip stain’s cover back on. “Yes, yes, men love a woman who has obscured normal blemishes and twisted reality to appear perfect. You don’t have to mock.”
“I’m not. Really, Zafir, you did a good job. Thank you.”
He shot me a funny expression.
“What?”
“You used my name. What, no insults? No sly remarks hinting that I’m the worst person you’ve ever met?”
“I’m saving those up until tomorrow. I’ve already met today’s quota.”
He gave a snort that might have been amusement and brought over one of the documents he’d been poring over while I’d attempted my own makeup.
“Here, sign this.” He slapped it down.
“What is it?”
“An annulment. I told you, I won’t encourage a married woman to cheat on her husband, no matter who the husband is.”
My lips parted. “You mean if I sign this, I’m not married anymore?”
“Correct. As a vizier, I do have certain legal powers. I draft things like this all the time.”
“But I got married in a different country.”
“I know.” He slid the top paper to the side.
“That’s taken care of on the second page.
I have listed that you came here seeking asylum after your husband attempted to kill you, documented your injuries and stated that the abuse you endured and the attempt on your life is grounds for immediate divorce.
Once you sign, you’ll be an unmarried asylum seeker.
You still won’t have the full rights as a legalized citizen, but you’ll be entitled to safety and protection under the Pyrenese government.
I would have drafted more paperwork to have him arrested, but when he is under the jurisdiction of a different tzardom or kingdom, the rules become more nuanced. But granting asylum is easy.”
“I can get divorced without his knowledge or agreement?”
“If you were abused, then yes. Making an attempt on someone’s life would certainly qualify.
If victims were required to secure permission from their abusers to leave, that would constitute a major flaw in the justice system.
” He paused. “If he were here right now, I’d take great pleasure in prosecuting him. ”
Without hesitation, I signed.
After blowing on my signature to dry it, Zafir rolled up the document and tied it with a short leather cord. “There. You’re free to go seduce whichever man you wish.”
“Thank you.” It was as though a heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I looked at the scroll in Zafir’s hand and felt the constant knot in my stomach loosen. I was free.
“I did it for my own peace of mind. Getting chained to a murderer’s wife who’s hunting down her ex-husband for revenge wasn’t in my plans for today.” The corner of his mouth flickered a tiny bit. “What? I thought you liked jokes.”
“I didn’t realize you were joking. Most people smile when they tell a joke, you know.” I smiled. “See? When people turn the corners of their mouths up like this, that means they are happy. You should try it.” I poked at Zafir’s lips and he twisted away.
“Watch it. You may have used up your daily quota of insults, but I still have plenty I could use. Besides, we need to talk about your strategy for Julian tonight.”
“How so?”
“Don’t throw yourself at him tonight or approach him first. He gets that all the time. Make lots of eye contact as if he’s distracting you, but always look away once he notices you looking. He’ll come up to you.”
“You seem to know him well.”
“I’ve seen his tricks with women more times than I can count. It’s a source of immense annoyance, to tell you the truth. With you looking like you do, I’m sure he’ll notice you. Every man will, and Julian will want to stake his claim right away.”
“What do I say when he comes up?”
“Let me do the talking. Tonight, our goal is just to get you inside his head. If you do that, he’ll come find you tomorrow.”
“That sounds easy enough.”
“Even for you, little viper?” Zafir said, the corner of his mouth twitching.
“Watch it. I could still bite you.”
His smirk broadened. “Be careful. I bite back.”