Blooms of the Empyreal

Chapter 6: Dinner, and Then Dessert

At dinner, which was a whole array of one delicate dish after another, Mariana told the Duke a little of what med school had been like on Earth. She talked about her patients and how little time she had for herself. She talked about all her studying and hard work to get where she was. Mariana didn’t, however, share why she decided to study medicine, and refused to answer any questions about how she felt about leaving all of it behind her.

She didn’t quite have words to describe the mix of shame, disappointment, and relief to leave her former life behind her. In her lonely apartment, there was always a tenseness, worry, a habit of looking over her shoulder. But here? She felt relatively safe. This place was deeply calming, full of bright, natural light, soft fragrances and delightful food. Here she didn’t need to clean up or do laundry or fall asleep over her text books. She didn’t have 14 hour shifts after 24 hours shifts with little time in between to sleep.

But that life was also all she had ever known. She felt out of place here in a way that made her uncomfortable. Her feelings on the subject were so impossible to describe that she didn’t even try to put any of it words.

They ate mostly in companionable silence, Mariana trying to figure out if anything on her plate was distinguishable as something she’d eaten back home. The main course seemed to be some sort of white, freshwater fish that reminded her of tilapia, but had a spicier flavor, and once or twice she thought she saw a carrot mixed in with her salad. The food gave her something to think about when the Duke's questions became something she didn’t want to discuss.

After the dessert course of a fluffy mousse made with some local flower’s nectar, Mariana felt like she might explode. What a vast array of dishes she’d eaten! She wanted to sleep for a week.

The Duke, who had just barely touched his plates, seemed to have spent most of the meal watching her.

“So, now that we have eaten, my servant Marcus has been putting together the schedule for the two of us for the week,” a servant handed him a notebook that was covered from top to bottom with notes with a bow. The Duke glanced down at the page and smiled. “It seems we have two big engagements this week; a meeting of some of the other women for a tea party and a check in with the Prince of the Starlight Court.”

“We do?” Mariana asked. “What does the Prince want with me?”

“The Prince himself will be touring several of the local homes, making sure that the women are comfortable and changing locations for women who are unhappy.” The Duke waved a hand. “It’s mostly a precaution against women growing bored, but also serves to ensure that everyone is being treated properly.”

Mariana nodded. That made sense. At least someone was checking in on all those girls. She’d been a little worried that some of them would not be having as nice a time as she was. Many had looked very young. “But I have to meet the other women?”

The Duke nodded. “We have arranged for weekly get-togethers for the ladies that are close by; we thought that having companions that have gone through the same things as you have would be beneficial. You need not continue to go to them after the first if you don't like it, but it would be highly improper not to show up for at least the first of them.”

She bristled. “I was under the impression that I didn’t have to do anything.”

The Duke blinked at her from across the table with those purple eyes, his hand frozen bringing his teacup to his lips. “Of- of course you don’t have to, my lady. It is merely what would be best; some of the other women have gathered together in order to make this party possible so that everyone won’t feel so quite alien in their new home. I think some of the women hoped to meet others from their planets and bond.”

Mariana looked down at her plate. Why did she always assume the worst of everything? The Duke sure didn’t deserve to be snapped at over inviting her to a party. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled under her breath, hating the feeling of the word on her tongue.

The Duke chuckled. “I was not offended, my lady. You have every right to be snappish or angry if you choose; we did sort of-” he hesitated for a moment before continuing. “We did take you from your old life. I hope that you adjust soon to this new life and come to like it.”

Mariana nodded. “What is the Prince like?” she asked, desperate to change the subject. Her eyes roved over the Duke’s face, looking for any hint of him being upset. His rather stoic face gave nothing away.

“I do not know him very well; his father and I were on close terms, but he died several months ago. I know the Prince is quite young, and is currently spending much of his time in training. He was not expecting to become heir so early, so the Palace has pushed forward his education schedule.”

They chatted over the subject of the Prince for a few moments before Mariana yawned widely, her body feeling full and heavy.

“Her ladyship must be tired. Allow me escort you back to your rooms.”

The Duke stood, and Mariana gasped a little as he walked forward.

“I don’t think I need any help, but thank you,” she rushed out, holding her hands out in front of herself as if to protect from the Duke’s advance.

“Nonsense; you should lean on me so as not to overexert your ankle. Also, I may be mistaken, but do you recall the way back to your rooms from here?”

Mariana winced. “Ahh.” He was right, of course; she would have spent the next hour wondering through the beautiful hallways, trying to find her way back. Taking the Duke’s arm, blushing, Mariana leaned on him heavily as they walked back to her rooms.

“Tomorrow, we should ice your ankle again for longer and call the healer if the swelling doesn’t go down further,” the Duke said. “Perhaps you should not do so much walking tomorrow.”

Mariana wanted to argue with him, but he was probably right, so she said nothing instead.

The Duke walked her to her door and made a low bow. “I wish you good dreams tonight, Lady Mariana.”

“For you as well,” she answered trying to grab a hold of the door handle to her room without taking her eyes from the Duke’s face.

But he was fast, far too fast for Mariana to dodge as he snatched her hand and pressed her fingers to his mouth.

His breath was warm against her skin, and her mouth went dry as he moved closer.

“My dreams could not be sweeter than this reality,” he whispered across her hand, his eyes snapping up to catch a hold of hers.

Mariana gasped, a hot lance stabbing through her stomach and into her thighs. “Your Grace, I-”

But there was nothing to say when lost in the deep, amethyst pools of his eyes. Her breath shuttered through her lungs and her knees felt weak.

It was like he was leaning forward in slow motion, his eyes locked on hers, a hunter’s gaze keeping her locked in place.

But when his lips touched her, they did not graze her lips as she expected, but instead her cheek. Lightening bounced around inside of her head at the contact, but then he quickly pulled away and bowed again. “I shall see you again tomorrow, my lady.”

And he was gone, leaving her aching and her heart thundering in her breast.

Just what had she gotten herself into?