cakes are far more preferable to standing around alone. We were about to discuss the upcoming ball. Lottie graciously offered to cover the whole event.”
Daron masked his shock. No way could they entertain the idea of having the event after all that had happened. “The ball is still…?”
“Of course! If the show must go on, so must the party.” Janette, oblivious, barreled on. “Father was a little concerned, too. But eventually, we both agreed that we’ve put far too much effort and money into renovating the Alastor Place to change plans now.”
It was an effort for Daron to keep his mouth shut. He couldn’t imagine the rest of the competition going smoothly, much less a lavish party. Too many accidents. Too many risks. Nothing was more damning than pretending that it couldn’t possibly get any worse.
“Lottie’s keen to spotlight the night as the event of the year in all of Soltair! Can you believe it?” Pride shone so brightly in the girl’s eyes, Daron couldn’t hold it against her. “And we were also talking about how of all the judges, she hasn’t had a chance to profile you yet. Which is absurd, since you’re apparently old friends. It’s such a funny coincidence.”
“Yes,” Lottie chimed in. “So funny.”
Daron was sweating. Unaware, Janette’s smiling gaze widened. “You should absolutely join us! We won’t take no for an—”
“I’m afraid he can’t.”
Relief set in as he turned to find Kallia standing with the same guard from before, her head tilted and hip cocked in that expectant manner of hers. She wore a simple outfit—a purple buttoned shirt pale as lilac cinched by a long, black skirt. The only pops of color, her lips red as the rose barrette clipped by her ear.
His mind blanked entirely. Seeing her in the morning light, that scowling red mouth of hers. He knew what it felt like, pressed against his.
“We have an appointment,” Kallia reminded firmly.
“Yes. Yes, we do.” He turned back to the ladies with a small, apologetic smile. “We have some show matters to take care of. Must’ve slipped my mind.” Too eager. He forced his movements to slow when he faced Kallia. “Shall we?”
Her stare lingered on the journalist before dropping to his offered elbow. Without preamble, she brushed past it. “Yes, let’s get on with it.”
It was a smack in the face. She was so distant, he wondered if he’d simply imagined last night. He recovered quickly, following after her, same as the guard who gave no sign of recognition. Only a nasty smirk of amusement.
“Keep up, Judge Demarco,” Kallia called over her shoulder, letting him lag behind. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
She regarded him like an annoyance. Or worse, a stranger. “I’m not the one who came down late,” he muttered. “I’ve been waiting all morning for you.” As soon as he said it, he swore the edges of her lips quirked up.
The moment Kallia stepped onto the bustling street, people started sneaking looks and whispering. Without a care, she continued walking as if nothing were amiss. As if everything from last night was not even worth a second thought to her.
Daron reached for her. “Kallia—”
“Wait,” she snarled, her strides becoming more determined through the clusters of pedestrians. He didn’t know what made it more impossible to follow, her or the crowd rapidly filtering in. A wave crashing, over and around them. Even the guard trailing behind appeared concerned by the influx, sweat trickling down his face at the constant bump of shoulders that pushed him farther and farther away.
The breath knocked out of Daron at the grip on his arm.
“Do you know how annoying it is, to wake up to an old man outside your door who won’t leave you alone?” Kallia huffed, eyes alight. Just as his pulse regained normalcy, it picked right up again, especially when she took his hand in hers with a squeeze. Every so often she shot a look behind her, powering them through the street. “This way, or we’ll never lose him.”
* * *
Kallia had never been so relieved to lock the doors of the Ranza Estate behind her. No guards. No looks and whispers following them, more than usual it seemed.
“I’m honestly astounded Mayor Eilin remembered me.” She let her head rest back against the door. “This would’ve been the perfect opportunity to leave me in the dust, completely defenseless.”
“You, defenseless?” Chuckling, he smoothed back his dampened hair from his forehead. One side of his lips curled, and it was all she