Rings and bracelets adorned my fingers and wrists. A tight, serpentine torc squeezed about my right arm. I was bedecked with jewels.For Chaun. “You ...re just so beautiful, Xandra,” Yasmine said. “Riad will love you.”I laughed. Didn't she know our husband's name was Chaun? My head leaned back as my laugh spilled from my lips. The world swirled around me. A dizzy wave passed through me and I blinked, struggling to remember why I laughed.“Come, it is time to see our Husband,” Zaina purred.“He's. We aren’t interested in selfish people.”Mrs. Carson stopped suddenly and we realized we had arrived at the restaurant. She said, “Ah, good, we’re here. I don’t remember it being this far. I need a drink!”I had been so caught up in the conversation that to me it seemed like we had just left the hotel!We went in and were seated quickly. Jo and I were both dressed provocatively and we attracted a good bit of attention as we were led to our table. The adults ordered a bottle of wine and the rest of. But recently he had returned--right about when the Time of Trials had been announced, come to think of it--and here he was.Those of the royal court, including those in the judging box, wondered what he was doing on the field. Had he really signed up for the trials? From whom had he learned statecraft, strategy and tactics, swordsmanship, leadership? Was this a dare some brazen young lordling had put him up to? It was ridiculous--a halfbreed barbarian? with no tools or weapons? What did he. I hold up the chocolate heart …“I am not your girlfriend. Understand?” He nodded painfully slowly and I held up the flowers.“And I am not your mother.” I waited for him to respond; watched his face reddening, saw moisture accumulating at the corner of his eyes as his whole body seemed to freeze before me and then I remembered …I remembered how when I was nineteen, in my second job and really rather lost, there had been this guy called John who’d shown me the ropes and how I’d got all the.