Chapter 1 Marino #2
She scrunched her nose up. ‘The sea! Goodness no. The salty air ruins my hair, not to mention my jewellery!’ Her laugh was high and sharp. ‘And the smell of fish! No, it is not for me. I prefer to stay in town. Or go riding.’
‘But!’ she went on, clearly seeing Marino’s disappointment and seemingly remembering what he did. ‘I do love to watch the sun set from my father’s house. The light is very pretty when it dances across the waves.’
‘So it is,’ said Marino, with a deep sigh. Saying she liked sunsets did not endear her to him, not because he disagreed, but because he had yet to meet someone who didn’t enjoy a sunset. It was akin to saying that she enjoyed breathing.
They finished the dance in silence, and Marino bowed politely before turning away and striding to the edge of the dance floor.
‘Marino!’ Rose swept towards him with a warm smile.
‘Come, let us dance.’ Rose looked radiant.
She was wearing a flowing pale green gown embroidered with golden thread and her long chestnut hair was loose and hung to her waist. On her head was a delicate gold crown inlaid with emeralds, and matching jewels winked on her wrist and fingers.
She beamed at Marino, green eyes sparkling, and Marino couldn’t help but smile back at her.
‘How did you find Lady Sophie?’
‘A very fine dancer,’ said Marino diplomatically.
‘And? Do you want me to invite her to tea tomorrow? I’ve not spent much time with her, but I am happy to get to know her better if you enjoyed her company.’ Rose’s eyes were wide and hopeful.
Marino raised his brows. ‘I do not think she is the one for me. But I appreciate the effort.’
Rose sighed. ‘Marino! It is the last ball of the season. And none of the ladies in Eana have caught your eye. No noblewoman or any of the witches! How will we ever find you a love match?’
‘Rose, with Wren away, surely you have more important things to do, like running a kingdom? Playing matchmaker for me should be at the very bottom of your to-do list.’
Rose wound her arm through his and guided them towards the drinks table, the very place he had been heading before she caught him on the dance floor. ‘Marino, finding you a love match is not on my to-do list. It gives me much joy!’
‘At least one of us is enjoying it.’
Rose rolled her eyes. ‘Oh, Marino! You are impossible. But you know I am not one to back away from a challenge.’
‘I know that all too well,’ said Marino, with an affectionate grin. ‘We grew up together, remember?’
‘Rose, my love, my forever queen, are you badgering poor Marino again?’ Shen had appeared next to them, looking debonair as always in his red and gold royal regalia. Through his marriage to Rose he was now a rightful king of Eana, but he still ruled his own land, the desert-based Sunkissed Kingdom.
The Sunkissed Kingdom had been lost in the sands long ago, hidden from the rest of Eana, but Shen and Rose had rediscovered it.
When they did, they found not only an entire kingdom, but Shen’s history and heritage, as well as his right to the throne.
Now the pair of them ruled both lands together, allowing the Sunkissed Kingdom and Eana to prosper alongside each other.
Rose pouted. ‘Shen! I’m not badgering him. I’m helping him!’
Shen raised his brows. ‘Marino?’
Marino cleared his throat. ‘Ah, well, she did take me to the drinks table when I sorely needed a drink. So, yes, she has been helping.’
Rose preened. ‘See?’ Then she swatted Marino on the arm. ‘Marino! I am helping more than that!’
Shen laughed as he handed Marino a glass of wine. ‘I’m sure you are missing your ship. And the freedom that comes with it. Perhaps I can join you on a voyage one day.’
‘You will do no such thing,’ said Rose. ‘Leave me to run both of our kingdoms while you go off gallivanting with Marino? I think not!’
Marino clinked his glass to Shen’s. ‘Ah, as we both know, the king answers to no one but his queen.’
‘Too true,’ Rose said smugly. But then she leaned up to press a kiss to Shen’s cheek.
‘I suppose if you really wanted to join Marino on a voyage you could. But wouldn’t it be more fun if I came along too?
And Celeste and Anika! Why don’t we plan it for when Wren and Tor are back?
’ She turned to Marino. ‘You know, I’ve never been to the southern continent.
And I’ve always wanted to go to Demarre.
Is it nice in the autumn?’ She clapped her hands together with glee.
‘Oh! It could be an official royal visit. What a wonderful idea, Shen!’
Shen shook his head in bewilderment. ‘Ah, yes. That was my exact idea.’ But he was smiling at Rose, taking delight in her clear joy.
‘Marino, what do you think? You’ve been missing your ship all summer, and this way you can be back at sea and we can all still be together!’ Rose beamed at him.
Marino took a small step back, suddenly dizzy from more than the wine.
He felt overwhelmed by all of Rose’s plans.
It was one thing for her and Celeste to decide what he was doing while he was in the palace, and entirely another thing to imagine them all on his ship for weeks on end.
‘Autumn is a wonderful time to visit Demarre.’
‘Oh, there will be so much to plan!’ said Rose, sounding delighted by the prospect. ‘And Marino, who knows? Perhaps you’ll find someone to your liking in Demarre.’
‘Perhaps,’ he said with a smile. ‘Perhaps. Now, if you’ll both excuse me, I think I must retire for the evening. It has been, as ever, a delight.’
‘Won’t you stay for the fireworks?’ asked Rose. ‘Please? This is the last ball of the season, after all.’
Marino didn’t want to disappoint Rose, so he slung an arm around her and Shen and grinned at them both. ‘I wouldn’t miss it for anything.’