Chapter 3
An Indirect Apology
Maya froze, not sure what to say to that revelation. Her mind quickly processed what Cosmo had just said, and she mused, “So you two are already related through his daughter. How old is she?”
Noticing that he wasn’t giving her an age, Maya knew better than to ask for details. But that brought another question to mind. “How would he feel about you sharing that kind of personal information with a stranger?”
“Oh,” Cosmo smiled, “he would be very angry. It’s his story, but I still had my own role in it. And to protect him, I’ve deemed it necessary to make you aware of a few facts. Although I’m not sure that you will be any kinder, considering the way you treat people you care about.”
Maya released a loud sigh, deciding not to talk about a subject that would almost certainly lead to more arguing.
Since she wasn’t working, she had no desire to get emotionally engaged any further than she already had been.
Steering the conversation in a different direction, Maya mused, “So you have a connection to the kingdom already and haven’t exploited it.
That makes it sound like you and your family aren’t interested in overthrowing our kingdom. ”
After a moment of silence, a hearty laugh filled the room. “You just speak whatever you are thinking, don’t you?”
“I’ve been told it’s one of my worst qualities,” Maya said with a slight smile on her lips. “But I can only be myself.”
This time, Cosmo let out a loud sigh. “It’s tragic.
Just a few tweaks and I would definitely be interested in having you for a mate.
Unfortunately, the ways in which we aren’t compatible create a chasm that would make our coupling a catastrophic disaster.
” He looked over at her without turning to face her.
“I … almost wish I could say I felt the same. But I see no benefit in lying.” Maya put her hands behind her back and watched the couple moving around the maze.
“As it is, I am still curious to know why you are so interested in my business partner. I have a fairly solid understanding of who she is and why she is so important, but I fail to see how you could see her value. Especially since you have such an aversion to being serious.”
“An aversion, you say,” his smile was soft. “Perhaps I do. But I’ve seen those who are serious, as well as passionate, and I prefer peace to the stress and pain associated with seriousness and passion.”
“And yet you are interested in finding a mate,” Maya pointed out the contradiction, and turned to see his reaction.
“Ah,” his expression shifted to one a bit more mischievous, “that kind of passion is one I quite thoroughly enjoy, and I hear that the mate bond makes it so much more enjoyable.” He looked out the window, and Maya knew he was watching Naomi.
“I am quite eager to experience it. However, it’s the only kind of passion that I will consider.
Other kinds of passion are more likely to burn you than fuel you. ”
Maya resumed looking out the window as the other couple strolled around the maze, laughing and seeming to be having a good time. They were apparently carefree, a feeling she had not experienced in a very long time.
“You look sad,” Cosmo said, drawing her attention back to him. When she turned to look at him, he was watching her instead of Naomi.
“I am reflecting.”
“May I ask what has you in such a contemplative state?”
“Life.”
“That is a pretty large pool of topics,” he was smiling at her, gently pressing her for more details.
“It is indeed.”
“And you’ve no desire to narrow it down to something more specific.”
“You are correct, Cosmo.” Her eyes moved to the horizon, which spread out like an eternally perfect day. “So why are you pleased to be here? Why is it so important for you to find a mate?”
“You expect me to answer when you are being evasive.”
“I am not being evasive. I am telling you directly that I’ve no interest in answering some of your queries. My past, my thoughts, they are not relevant to you.”
“And how do you counter my claim that your questions are irrelevant to me?”
“By reminding you that I care very much about Naomi. You believing me is not necessary, but I care about her. I also care about the stability of the kingdom. We’ve been through enough unrest over the last few decades.”
“Ah.” The response was met by a few seconds of silence. “You are quite the enigma, Maya. I do not envy any person who tries to woo you.”
“I would give up all of my abilities to never be bothered by another person taking that kind of interest in me.”
He turned and looked at her again. “If that is true, then you have my sympathies. A lonely life is a fate worse than death.”
“No. I know of several that are much worse. Loneliness I can handle.”
“It is a shame,” Cosmo said, then resumed looking out the window. “As you seem to have realized, I have no interest in your kingdom. It has always been your kingdom that was interested in mine, and we are very pleased that it has been so long since the last attempt to overthrow us.”
“Only a fool would try to incorporate so much chaos into the hierarchy.”
“And yet they try.”
“I pray that our new king has more brains than the last few rulers.”
“I sincerely hope it is the case because my family has enough to handle without another invasion or intrusion. But to your question,” he put his hands behind his back, in a stance that mirrored Maya’s position, “my family is as chaotic as the rumors suggest. My parents rule, but it is only tradition that keeps the kingdom together. When I met Apollo, I had no idea what stability was, and over the years, I have come to find peace in it. My interest in short relationships and fleeting pleasures waned as I realized they contributed nothing to my happiness or sense of peace. Eventually, I realized that I craved someone to help ground me and to make my life brighter.”
“It sounds like you want someone who will make your life better. But what do you have to offer?”
“All I have is myself, which I know you find to be paltry and unworthy of Naomi. But I swear to you that if she will have me, I will do everything in my power to give her the life she deserves. Even if that ends up being a severe inconvenience to you.”
Maya looked over at him. “Do you mean to the business? Or to my ability to criticize her?”
He turned to return her gaze. Then his eyes dropped to her mouth. “Is that a hint of a smile I see on your dour face, Maya?”
“Perhaps it is, Cosmo. Answer the question.”
He seemed to be holding back a laugh. “I will only interfere in your business if it becomes detrimental to my mate’s health. As for your ability to criticize her, I will only allow it if her head gets too big and she needs a bit of a lashing outside of the bedroom.”
Maya let out a grunt and rolled her eyes.
Finally, Cosmo laughed. “You asked, and I gave you an honest answer. Don’t shoot the messenger.”
“I most certainly can shoot the messenger when he is also the perpetrator.”
Cosmo laughed again. “You know, you aren’t half bad, Maya. It makes me think, under the right circumstances, you could actually be a decent person.”
“I would never presume to assume that title. My sole desire is to excel in my job.”
“A job that, interestingly, revolves around romance and making people happy.” He smiled wide when she gave him a wry look. “Hey, it isn’t lost on me how much your actions and words don’t align. I’m not the one making you say or do anything. Thank gods for that too.”
Maya couldn’t help laughing a little. “You aren’t half bad yourself, Cosmo.”
“I try to be a minimally decent person. And now for a question that I hope you will answer seriously.”
Maya focused on a point directly in front of her, her body tensed at the thought of any further serious questioning. “And what is it that has your curiosity piqued now?”
“Does making people happy make you happy?” Slowly, she looked over at her window companion.
Cosmo had a serious look on his face as he pressed for a little more information, “Is that the only way you know to be happy? And if so, why do you feel that you shouldn’t be allowed to join in with the rest of us in living a good life? ”
Maya just looked at him for a few seconds, her mind feeling like it was spinning in circles.
Instead of answering his question, she replied, “You ask probing questions that are sometimes best left alone, Cosmo. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think that my battery for conversation is completely depleted. ”
With that, she opened the window and crawled outside. Pressing her hands flat against the walls, she used magic to help herself move safely down the side of the house. Cosmo stuck his head out of the window just above her. “What about me? I can’t sneak out like that!”
Maya looked to the side, then raised a hand and pointed to the left. “There’s a room with a balcony right there. Perhaps you could use that to levitate safely to the ground. If not, you’ll just have to face the old couple alone. Either way, please don’t follow me.”
He hissed whispered words at her, but Maya tuned him out as she replayed his final question in her mind. It wasn’t something she wanted to consider, and the only way she knew to alleviate the discomfort of following that train of thought was to put her mind back on her job.
And there was no better place to inspire a wedding planner than a place specifically designed for romance and love.