Marjani stopped with Jerrik beside a dark-paneled door in a side corridor in the second level of the Donarr castle. He opened it with a flourish and ushered her inside.

Marjani rounded on him when he joined her in the cozy study. "How is this a little walk to help your recovery?"

Jerrik had combed his shaggy brown hair and unruly russet beard into a semblance of order. Although he wore the brown trousers common to Donarr, he had added a fine gray silk shirt and a blue coat.

Marjani appreciated his choice. He'd asked her to come for a walk tonight and insisted she wear something other than her palace livery. She really liked the huge warrior, but he belonged to an important noble house. She felt distinctly aware of the simple peach-colored dress she wore. If he'd worn the full finery available to him, she would have felt more than a little uncomfortable.

The cozy study had a cheery fire crackling in a hearth flanked by dark bookcases. A padded sofa and two overstuffed chairs faced the fire. At the other end of the room a small table, draped with a white tablecloth and set for two, had been squeezed into the corner.

Jerrik motioned toward the table. "Join me for dinner. I promise that'll make me feel better."

A door in the opposite wall opened and a servant dressed in the Donarri livery entered with a covered silver tray.

Marjani had to admit, she was impressed. Jerrik had clearly given the evening a lot of thought when most men she'd known would just try to box her into a dark corner and force a kiss out of her. She knew just where to kick to escape those situations, although she wasn't sure anything she could do would hurt this giant of a man.

So she smiled. "If I like the food, I'll forgive you for the surprise."

No sense in making it too easy for him. Nobles rarely showed interest in serving girls for any reason other than cheap dalliances, and she wasn't interested in that kind of relationship. She enjoyed Jerrik's presence and found his attention decidedly flattering despite instincts honed by years working in the palace that warned her to be on her guard.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

She allowed Jerrik to seat her at the table. As he sat across from her, she said, "I'm not accustomed to dining alone with strange men."

Jerrik lifted a glass of his favorite ale in salute. "I may be strange, but my intentions are honorable."

The servant removed the cover from the platter with a flourish and Marjani grinned at the sight of roasted spiny besofish.

"This is my favorite dish," Marjani exclaimed.

Jerrik grinned, obviously pleased with himself.

"How did you get it?" Spiny besofish were notoriously difficult to catch, and were found only in Meinarr. Rarely were they caught this time of year.

"I can't tell you all my secrets. We haven't even eaten yet."

Marjani gave Jerrik a wide smile. He intrigued her more and more. Tonight he just might get that kiss he was working up to.

Before the servant could offer her a portion of the fish, the outer door banged open. Kevlin and Drystan strode into the room, armed and armored. Kevlin was smiling, and Drystan's eyes shone with the thrill of battle.

"What's going on?" Jerrik asked uneasily. It looked like he understood his carefully orchestrated evening was about to fall apart.

Kevlin said, "Come on. We just received word that Remiel's surfaced. Ambassador Damarist arranged a meeting in his office tonight. We're going to set the trap for him now."

"Now?"

"Now," Drystan said, snatching up a piece of fish and popping it into his mouth. "Let's go." He gave the fish a closer look. "This is really good."

"This has to do with those rumors of battle last night, doesn't it?" Marjani asked, shielding her plate from Drystan.

Jerrik rose. "Unfortunately, we can't talk about it."

He looked genuinely sorry. Marjani glanced from his pained expression to the delicious dinner and made up her mind. She stood, pulled his face down to her, and kissed his cheek. She stroked his rough beard and whispered into his ear, "Thanks for dinner."

Then she seated herself, straightened her napkin, and motioned to the servant to proceed.

"You're going to eat without me?" Jerrik exclaimed.

"You didn't expect me to waste all this delicious food, did you?"

Kevlin laughed and grabbed a dinner roll. "Bye, Marjani."

She waved as the trio left and called, "Be careful, boys."

Drystan's voice echoed back down the hall, "I thought you didn't like fish?"

Grinning, Marjani dug into the most delicious fish she'd eaten in months.