Read Online Starbound: A Starstruck Novel by Brenda Hiatt - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Brenda Hiatt
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on us, my boy.” Shim clapped Rigel on the shoulder as we all trooped back indoors.
“Guess I do better under pressure.” But Rigel’s sidelong glance let me know our bond, my touch and nearness, had really made the difference.
“Now dinner.” Kyna reverted to her usual calm professionalism. “This will be a practicum of sorts for all of you.” Her gaze encompassed me, Rigel, Sean and Molly. “Excellency, you and your affianced Consort will precede the rest of us into the dining room.”
At the words “affianced Consort,” Rigel’s emotions abruptly shifted from triumphant to outraged. I stifled a sigh at the wave of jealousy that emanated from him—again—after too brief a respite.
Under the watchful eyes of the entire Council, I placed my left hand on Sean’s right sleeve and approached the table, set for a formal state dinner. I quickly scanned the finger bowls at each place setting and identified mine by the pale green orchid adorning it. I moved to that chair, which Sean obediently pulled out for me, waiting until I was seated before taking his own seat on my left. Rigel then took up his proper position, standing at attention directly behind me. His jealousy faded somewhat as he went through the protocols that had been drilled into him—into all of us.
Shim, as the oldest Council member, took the chair to my right and Mrs. O’Gara, as ranking Royal, sat to Sean’s left. Molly stood in her Handmaid spot to Rigel’s right, where she could serve me.
The rest of the Council, along with Rigel’s parents and Mr. O’Gara, proceeded to take the seats their status decreed. Once everyone was seated, Sean ceremoniously lifted my finger bowl and presented it to me with a small bow of his head. I dipped my fingers the prescribed three times, then dried them on the tiny linen cloth provided for that purpose. Sean then offered my bowl to Rigel, who dipped his fingers, and used my same cloth. Rigel held bowl and cloth for Molly, then handed them back to Sean, who set them back at my place. Finally, Sean dipped his fingers in his own bowl, which was the signal for everyone else to do the same.
The two security guys who’d fought Rigel during his test came in with platters of food and started serving. For me, that meant Molly dished a bite of everything onto a small plate, in full view of everyone, then handed it to Rigel for tasting. Only after none of the dishes made him gag or drop dead was she allowed to spoon proper helpings onto my plate.
This is stupid, I couldn’t help thinking to Rigel. If someone was really going to poison me, they’d probably be smart enough to use something that wouldn’t work instantly. And it totally sucks that you don’t even get to sit down!
Yeah, well, it beats the alternative of me not going at all, right? I can deal. But I could tell he’d way prefer to be sitting where Sean was, next to me.
The touchiest bit came at the end of the meal, when we all rose (me first) and Sean turned to Rigel, who still stood at attention.
“You can run off to the kitchen and get some dinner now.” He wore a definite smirk. “I’ll take care of the Princess for the rest of the evening.”
Rigel’s jealousy and anger roared back. He kept his expression carefully blank since most of the Council was watching, but I could tell he was itching to punch Sean in the face.
It’s part of the test! I thought to him quickly. Don’t let him provoke you, Rigel. Please!
He must have registered my worry, if not my words, because he gave a terse little nod, then bowed, first to me, then to the rest of the group, turned on his heel and marched into the kitchen, Molly one step behind him.
I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. He’d passed. We’d all passed. In a week, we’d be on a ship to Mars!
On Monday, Trina’s revenge campaign kicked into high gear. She needled me constantly, whispering insults under her breath every chance she got. Whenever she wasn’t
“Guess I do better under pressure.” But Rigel’s sidelong glance let me know our bond, my touch and nearness, had really made the difference.
“Now dinner.” Kyna reverted to her usual calm professionalism. “This will be a practicum of sorts for all of you.” Her gaze encompassed me, Rigel, Sean and Molly. “Excellency, you and your affianced Consort will precede the rest of us into the dining room.”
At the words “affianced Consort,” Rigel’s emotions abruptly shifted from triumphant to outraged. I stifled a sigh at the wave of jealousy that emanated from him—again—after too brief a respite.
Under the watchful eyes of the entire Council, I placed my left hand on Sean’s right sleeve and approached the table, set for a formal state dinner. I quickly scanned the finger bowls at each place setting and identified mine by the pale green orchid adorning it. I moved to that chair, which Sean obediently pulled out for me, waiting until I was seated before taking his own seat on my left. Rigel then took up his proper position, standing at attention directly behind me. His jealousy faded somewhat as he went through the protocols that had been drilled into him—into all of us.
Shim, as the oldest Council member, took the chair to my right and Mrs. O’Gara, as ranking Royal, sat to Sean’s left. Molly stood in her Handmaid spot to Rigel’s right, where she could serve me.
The rest of the Council, along with Rigel’s parents and Mr. O’Gara, proceeded to take the seats their status decreed. Once everyone was seated, Sean ceremoniously lifted my finger bowl and presented it to me with a small bow of his head. I dipped my fingers the prescribed three times, then dried them on the tiny linen cloth provided for that purpose. Sean then offered my bowl to Rigel, who dipped his fingers, and used my same cloth. Rigel held bowl and cloth for Molly, then handed them back to Sean, who set them back at my place. Finally, Sean dipped his fingers in his own bowl, which was the signal for everyone else to do the same.
The two security guys who’d fought Rigel during his test came in with platters of food and started serving. For me, that meant Molly dished a bite of everything onto a small plate, in full view of everyone, then handed it to Rigel for tasting. Only after none of the dishes made him gag or drop dead was she allowed to spoon proper helpings onto my plate.
This is stupid, I couldn’t help thinking to Rigel. If someone was really going to poison me, they’d probably be smart enough to use something that wouldn’t work instantly. And it totally sucks that you don’t even get to sit down!
Yeah, well, it beats the alternative of me not going at all, right? I can deal. But I could tell he’d way prefer to be sitting where Sean was, next to me.
The touchiest bit came at the end of the meal, when we all rose (me first) and Sean turned to Rigel, who still stood at attention.
“You can run off to the kitchen and get some dinner now.” He wore a definite smirk. “I’ll take care of the Princess for the rest of the evening.”
Rigel’s jealousy and anger roared back. He kept his expression carefully blank since most of the Council was watching, but I could tell he was itching to punch Sean in the face.
It’s part of the test! I thought to him quickly. Don’t let him provoke you, Rigel. Please!
He must have registered my worry, if not my words, because he gave a terse little nod, then bowed, first to me, then to the rest of the group, turned on his heel and marched into the kitchen, Molly one step behind him.
I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. He’d passed. We’d all passed. In a week, we’d be on a ship to Mars!
On Monday, Trina’s revenge campaign kicked into high gear. She needled me constantly, whispering insults under her breath every chance she got. Whenever she wasn’t
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