Page 77 of Enchanted Heir
I barely spotted Nellandra through the people. But just as I was about to look away, a man with slicked back hair said something into her ear before she swatted him away as if telling him to shoo.
“Got them,” I said, looking back to Krew. “Koss and Varga families spotted.” I kept playing with his suit lapel with my hands, not wanting my reconnaissance to be blatantly obvious.
“I’m sure the LeFram and Langston families will be at the next one,” he offered. “Hatchet is here also. Somewhere. Probably schmoozing with his fellow parliament members.”
“Good,” I smiled. “I’ll have to find him later.”
Krew smirked. “Have fun.”
He went to move away, but I pulled him by the arm back toward me.
His eyebrows went up and looked at my hand on his arm and then me. “Really selling it tonight, are we?”
I shook my head. “I wasn’t playing a part. I actually just wanted to ask how you were. I know you didn’t get very much sleep last night. And I know these stupid balls are not easy even on a good day.”
He sighed. “I’m all right, Jorah.”
I wasn’t sure if he was telling me the truth or not. “Okay.”
“Save me a dance?”
I cocked my head. “As if I have any other option.”
He grinned and kissed my hand before walking away.
Seeing Molly talking with Keir, I headed into the mass of people to find Hatcher instead of going to my safe zone or my friends.
It was a little nerve-wracking walking freely in this room given what happened the last time I was in a crowded space, but at least no one came even remotely close to bumping into me this time.
“Oh,” Hatcher said with a wave as I made my way over to him and two other men. “How are you, my dear?”
I grinned. “I am well. Thank you.”
“This is Mr. Winston and Mr. Ballager. My fellow parliament members.”
I smiled at each of them. “Nice to meet you.”
Hatcher let out a laugh. “We’ve been spending a lot of time with each other lately, and just can’t seem to get away from one another.”
“I’m sorry, I’m still parliament illiterate. How often is parliament in session?”
“Three weeks out of every month,” Winston explained. “On the third week and tail end of every session, we meet with the king here at the castle for what we call joint sessions, trying to pass the improvements we’ve been discussing within the three-week span.”
I nodded. “Ah. Got it.”
“And then when we are not in session, we are also supposed to be taking people’s complaints,” Ballager offered. “But not all of us do that part of our job.”
The way in which he said it was like a jab at one of the other men, I just didn’t know which. Probably Winston since I knew Hatcher to be a good man.
“Because it involves travel between the levels of the kingdom,” Winston snapped. Then with a bewildered look at me, he added lightly, “It has been becoming more and more unsafe for such travels lately.”
“I see,” I said with a fake smile. “You could just have the people with complaints come to you then, I suppose.”
“ToSavaryn?” Winston asked, head going backward with astonishment.
“Yes.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “Unless the Enchanted have such fragile immune systems they should catch becoming poor.” I paused. “Or is it that you are actually afraid of those of us without magic?”
Winston opened his mouth. Then shut it. Then opened it again.
