Page 43 of Shattered Magic

Hari blinked. “Right.” A slow blush crept up her cheeks. She was going to be busy for most of the ball, and it wasn’t going to have anything to do with dancing. Zerul had already warned her that the moment he chose her, she was going to be in his arms, and he was leaving the party with her. At that point, Steerik’s work had better be as good as advertised because it was going to be tested. And considering how long Hari had been waiting for him, it was going to be tested a lot.

Vega grabbed her hand and led her to the ladies’ room. “I don’t like lying, and I can always do with washing my hands.”

Hari laughed and did the same. They returned to the table, and after her chair was held for her, she asked Zerul, “Will Steerik leave right after the contract?”

“Probably. I have invited him to the party, but he declined.”

“May I invite Asta?” Hari tilted her head.

“Of course. You can invite anyone you like.” Zerul smiled.

“Nice. When she comes back, I am going to ask her. We technically need ten ladies, right?”

“No, but there are still ten icons on the floor.”

She turned to him. “I thought you had to choose a consort.”

“I did, five years ago.”

“Aw. That’s rather sweet.”

“But we can still have the lineup if you like.”

“Not really. I would rather not remember things that way.”

“Then, when I call you, please come.”

“That’s a little advanced for me right now. I will work on it.”

He snorted and leaned over to kiss her. Hari kissed him back, and the slow and thorough meeting was soon interrupted by someone saying, “If you don’t like your appetizer, I can offer you something else.”

Asta’s tone was amused.

Hari started to back off, but Zerul held the back of her neck with his palm. Their kiss continued for another thirty seconds before he leaned back.

Hari blinked. “I’m good.”

Zerul grinned. “Eat your food. I need you in top form.”

She sat back and faced her food. “I didn’t peg you for a bottom.” The moment it was out of her mouth, she heard it. “Uh, never mind.”

Zerul chuckled. “We may get to that, but in general, I am not a bottom.”

“Uh, right.” She stuffed one of the appetizers in her mouth and mumbled, “Good to know.”

“There will be a mutual exchange of information over time. I will find out what you like, and you will learn what I enjoy.”

Vega was laughing, and Hari’s face was on fire.

When their table was cleared of appetizers, Asta came by to brush the crumbs away, and then their meals began arriving.

Vega smiled. “Too bad Asta’s blush faded. I am guessing that the XIA have left the building.”

Asta supervised the final touches on the food and said, “They have not, but Steerik had to go and meditate. He has to focus to take on Zerul’s form tomorrow.”

Hari blinked. “Thanks for just announcing that.”

Zerul sighed. “It is common knowledge.”