Goddess of the Rose (Goddess Summoning #4)(56)

The handmaiden instantly looked chagrined. "No, Empousa! Of course not," she whispered.

But as the handmaiden turned away, avoiding her eyes, Mikki wondered . . .

Chapter Nineteen

"NO, thank you, Gii. I'll be fine. I'm going to eat a quick dinner and go straight to bed. I'm totally exhausted, and tomorrow will be another busy day." Mikki smiled brightly, telling herself she wasn't really lying to Gii. She was just failing to tell her everything.

"But, Empousa, are you quite sure you wouldn't like me to help you into your nightdress?"

"No need." Mikki glanced down at the simple yet elegant butter-colored dress. "I think I'm finally getting the hang of the way these chitons wrap."

Gii smiled, "Did it serve as proper work attire for you today?"

"Actually, it did." And Mikki meant it. After some initial awkwardness at getting used to tucking in the trailing skirts, she found that the outfit was comfortable and easy to work in, even if it had required some help from the Guardian to stay on straight. Actually, maybe it was because it had required his help that she liked it so much . . .

"So you like it better than the . . . jens?"

"Jeans." Mikki laughed, forced her thoughts back to the girl beside her and gave Gii an impulsive hug. "You know, I think I do like chitons better than jeans."

Gii returned the hug with an affectionate squeeze. "Then rest well, Empousa."

"You, too, Gii. Why don't I call you and the other handmaidens as soon as I wake up, and we'll all have breakfast together? I have some new ideas I want to discuss with you."

"As you wish, Empousa." Gii curtseyed, and then skipped lightly to the balcony steps and away into the night.

Alone at last, Mikki had time to be nervous about the next part of the evening. As it had been last night, the little table was placed just outside the glass doors to her bedroom. It was, again, laden with meats and cheeses, bread and wine. Only one place had been set, but tonight there were two chairs instead of one.

Mikki frowned. He wasn't going to get away with this. She'd invited him to dinner, and dinner it would be.

She closed her eyes and thought about the servants who had magickally appeared when she'd wished for wine and soap and clean clothes. "I need another place setting. Please," she said.

In less time than she could count to ten, she heard two sharp knocks on her bedroom door. She stuck her head inside her room and called for them to come in, and one of the women she recognized from the hot spring hurried in, carrying a tray on which was another complete place setting. Mikki met her halfway across the room.

"I appreciate you coming so quickly." Mikki held out her hands for the tray.

"I apologize, Empousa. Had I known you were not dining alone, I would have made certain the table was already set for two."

"Don't worry about it. Actually, these are last-minute plans," Mikki said quickly, hoping the servants could just tell when she wanted something and not when she was lying. "I'll take it from here."

The woman looked confused, but she nodded. "Of course, Empousa. Shall we bring you more food and wine?"

"No. There's plenty. No need to bother."

"It is never a bother to serve you, Empousa."

Mikki reminded herself not to sigh. It might not be a bother for them to serve her, but she could already tell that such diligent service could very easily become bothersome.

Changing tactics, Mikki asked her, "What is your name?"

The servant blinked in surprise. "Daphne."

"Daphne - that's pretty."

The servant blushed.

"Daphne, I'll be fine carrying this to the table myself." She took the tray from the disconcerted Daphne. "But I'll definitely need you in the morning. I'm going to have breakfast with the four Elementals. Could you be sure to bring enough for all of us?"

"Yes, Empousa."

"Wonderful! Now, you and, um, the rest of the women can relax tonight. I won't need anything else." Daphne opened her mouth for what Mikki felt sure would be a protest, so she added firmly, "Good night, Daphne. I'll see you in the morning when I call for breakfast."

Reluctantly, Daphne curtseyed and left the room.

"A pain in the ass . . ." Mikki muttered to herself as she set the table. "All this 'Yes, Empousa, what can I do for you, Empousa?' might sound like a good idea in theory. In practice it is a pain in the ass." Of course it probably wouldn't be if I wasn't sneaking around like a teenager meeting a thug boyfriend against her parents' rules. "I'm not a teenager," she told her reflection as she brushed through her drying hair. "And he is not my boyfriend. This is no different from a business dinner." She pressed a hand against her fluttering stomach. "So stop being so damn nervous!"

The table was ready. She was ready - or as ready as she was going to be. Mikki walked to the balcony and sat down. She put her hands in her lap, closed her eyes, and thought about the Guardian . . .

. . . The way he had kept such careful watch over the women today . . . his laugh . . . the heat of his body when he was near her . . . his touch . . . and how alone he'd looked disappearing into the shadow of the tree instead of being included in one of their groups at lunch . . .