The meeting with Cerano though was quite a different feel. She was led to a room vacant of anyone other then Cerano. Even the servant that brought her disappeared into the air. Wine was set out in a bottle she recognized as an orchard owned by the parents of a girl who’d taunted her for her leeching off her father’s family. Though the girl didn’t know she was her father’s daughter.

  It twisted in her stomach and set her in a bad mood. She looked over the table and their were various difficult to reach areas. The seats were set more comfortable, more intimate. It looked like an apt attempt at a romantic story books Kalana introduced her too.

  Her own mother had never seen romantic gestures worth anything. Mesa wasn’t sure which side she agreed with more. She could acknowledge how beautiful this scene could be but it wasn’t real. It was an act. Even that she could respect his dedication.

  And Mesa was more then capable of humoring. She crossed to Cerano who stood close to the entry waiting for her. He lifted her hand and kissed her wrist, in a very bold display of intent. Actual sparks ran across her skin. She let the moment sit before gentle twisting out of his hold.

  “I would like to inform you that your Uncle’s worries were mostly unfounded.” She offered crossing to a seat and perching onto it. “The request from Shan was not for a Union but a unification for a task I’m willing to do for less then the price of an individual.” Mesa offered in quick succession. Cerano stood where she left him staring at her. Cerano nodded crossing to his own seat sitting offering her a smile with a warmth that could have tricked her into thinking he genuinely felt things for her. He was good.

  “I would like to first apologize for how I handled the request and the act of following you here but we both know that my Uncle’s interest is not solely because of Shan.” He breathed. His eyes dropped to her hand and reached over picked it up and threaded their fingers. Then he leaned forward and pressed her hand to his chest.

  If Mesa hadn’t built back up her guards, she would have flushed crimson.

  Mesa wanted to swear because he was confirming her suspicion as the prickly anticipated electricity bounced off of him. Pretty but dangerous. Dammit all. But Mesa reminded herself that she’d specifically not been on the marked for anyone to begin with. And Mesa couldn’t ignore bother slights to her household by playing with fantasies. Her thoughts darkened further seeing as she didn’t think she was what her dangerous but pretty interests would actually gravitate toward if it wasn’t part of a deal.

  This was political after all.

  But Mesa could do political.

  “And my mother has not permitted an alliance with your Uncle because he always demands too much. I love my family, I am loyal to them and I will never make a choice I knew would hurt them. What assurances could you, yourself offer that your Uncle won’t use those very things to influence me. Manipulate me?” Mesa asked him and she waited for fluttery brushing away of the truth but bis face pulled looking almost pained and saw a flicker of a disgust that was quickly hidden.

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  “Honestly, I don’t trust my Uncle’s intentions in the least.” He stated surprising her. Mesa realized the disgust had been toward his King. “I can’t offer you a promise that I’m not a tool for his own musings, but I can promise you that I have no intention of being simply a tool. I have no intension of going against you.” He told her bringing her fingers to his lips. “My getting what I want is tied to you accepting me but he is so confident he never thought to require my loyalty to him.” Cerano sparkled. “I will swear that no matter what choice you make. Whether I’m in your harem or not I am loyal to you.” He insisted.

  Mesa stared at him baffled not knowing where that could have come from. Mesa shook that thought off.

  “What is the deal?” She asked. Cerano followed her change of subject. He didn’t let go of her hand as she went through what his Uncle offered to her. She partook in the pleasantries he offered and he spoke to her.

  Free passage for her at any point to see her father and sister in a decree that could not be broken short of a declared war between her mother’s swamp and the Kingdom of Destron.

  It was of course what she expected. A carrot bright and delicious. I pulled at her heart and she was already tired of herself and her emotions. On top of the carrot was a residence that could be used for whatever purpose she pleased. She knew the land and the little cottage, it bordered her father’s land and laid empty for as long as she could remember. She’d spent many summer days there searching for friends and playing with them and her sisters.

  It was the place she’d cried when the girl the wine reminded her of told accused her of terrible things. It was where she planned out her dreams and where she’d excitedly went to meet with who she still thought of as her best friend even though she hadn’t seen Riz in years.

  He’d been two years older then her with a similar murky colored hair and secret struggles that felt wrong to share with his family.

  She shook her head before she could fall into the worry at what happened to him. Or the rumor spread that he’d died. She didn’t believe it but it cut through her chest all the same to think it.

  There was a yearly allowance. She focused in on. Provided for his nephews care and a clause for any children they might have would be guaranteed dual citizenship. Mesa fought her emotions again.

  A promise that she could be claimed by her father, without having to change her name or any promises from her mother.

  It was an offer that hit everything in her heart. It was a perfect offer. But she wasn’t foolish enough to take a perfect deal because there was also something more.

  “And what would your Uncle expect from me?” She asked. Cerano held a seriousness and he held her hand a pit tighter supportively.

  “He would have you take residence in his kingdom for an allotted amount of time each year and during that time your commission would prioritize the crown’s requests.” Cerano told her. Mesa took that in and nodded. Then she held his gaze.

  “And what do you get out of this?” She asked him trying to find evasion or avoidance. He smiled at her though.

  “My parents owe a debt to my Uncle and are not capable of repaying it, so I have been in the role to do so. He has offered me an out from that debt.” He told her. Cerano turned her hand over and traced over her palm. “And I would get to be here.” He whispered in an almost breathless tone.

  Mesa smiled and respected that he was making the effort.

  “I will consider the offer.” She assured him taking the written pages and standing. Cerano pulled her and she went where he guided. He looked up at her.

  “I will be fine whatever you decide Mesa but remember I am always loyal to you.” Cerano insisted. Mesa frowned leaving him to find her mother.