Read Online Balancer (Advent Mage Cycle) by Honor Raconteur - Free Book Online Page B

to be.”
    I gave her a half-bow in my seat. “I thank you for the compliment.”
    “A compliment?” she parroted in amusement. “Yes, we’ll call it that.”
    Ries? I asked plaintively. What did I just miss?
    “ She meant that you are not a political threat and so she’s not going to try and destroy you, ” Ries translated deadpan.
    That’s reassuring…I think. Hopefully she wouldn’t change her mind about that later.
    “Well, Magus, I find you to be a refreshingly honest man. I’m glad.” She returned to her dinner with a satisfied smile on her face.
    So, if she’s happy, then…I can leave. Right?
    “ You have three more courses to go,” Night reminded me. “ And probably more chitchat over dessert too. You can’t leave until the dinner is over.”
    I pasted a smile on my face, but internally I was groaning. Three courses and dessert? That would take another hour at least!
    Seriously, what crime did I commit to deserve this?
    ~*~
    After the interminable dinner had ended I went straight back, going faster on the earth path than I probably should have. I handed Night off to a waiting groom, ignored Ries entirely, although he trailed me inside the building with that infuriating bland face of his, and went inside. I found Chatta by feel, as her magical presence is familiar enough for me to find with my eyes closed. She stood in the conference/planning room, bent over a map and saying something to Xiaolang that I didn’t really catch.
    Without a word I came up behind her, wrapped both arms around her waist, and let my head rest in the crook of her neck. Ah, she smells so nice. It’s very relaxing to be touching her, too. She squeaked a bit when I burrowed in even further.
    “Garth?” Her head turned slightly, both hands coming up to touch the ones around her waist. “It couldn’t have been that bad…or was it?”
    “Thank you for not being manipulative,” I mumbled into her shoulder. “And for not saying one thing and meaning another. And for not trying to seduce me in front of witnesses. And for not being scary.”
    “Oh…dear.” A tremor was in her voice, either of repressed amusement or worry, I couldn’t quite tell. “Um. Ries? Just how bad was it?”
    “He did fine,” Ries rumbled from nearby. “Especially for a novice. I learned a few interesting things as well.”
    “She didn’t really try to seduce him…did she?”
    “Not seriously,” Ries assured her with deadpan amusement.
    I shuddered. If that was her just playing around, I’d hate to see what she’s like when she’s serious.
    “I think she was just testing him to see how susceptible he is,” he added analytically. “Interestingly enough, she was quite pleased when she realized that he’s not easily swayed.”
    “Ahh.” Chatta turned in my arms, lifting my head with one hand. Her mouth curved in an enigmatic smile but I recognized the twinkle in her eyes. She found the situation amusing, certainly, but another part of her was not pleased with the Domess. “Honey, I’m proud of you for coming away unscathed. I promise that if any other woman here tries to seduce you, I’ll zap them.”
    I perked up hopefully. “Really?”
    She gave me a solemn nod, the smile gaining a slightly feral edge. “My word as a soon-to-be-Rheben.”
    All of the tension from the evening unwound and bled out of my shoulders. Well. If she’s going to be my fore-guard from now on, I didn’t have anything to worry about. Happy, I hugged her tighter for a moment and then turned back for the door. “I’m getting out of these robes.”
    Behind me, I heard Ries ask in a low tone, “Does he really hate it when women flirt with him that much?”
    Chatta’s voice had an obvious note of satisfaction in it as she answered, “Fortunately for me, yes he does.”
    I shook my head as I left the room. The man just didn’t get it. When you already had the love of your life, having another woman flirt with you just put you in an awkward situation.