6

…

Given how well Mishi knew Tay, she had understanding for his distress. Just as today, women were back then something he simply could not quantify. Forming a relationship with anyone was, for Taris, like putting on someone else’s skin. Even getting along well with Mario was a huge exception. And yet here he was now, three years later, sitting and staring at Sheena—completely absorbed by her dark blue eyes.

“I’m sure she’ll be a pleasant girl,” Mishi continued their conversation about Mario’s visit the next day. “He would certainly appreciate it if you gave her a chance.”

“Why me?” Tay sighed and rose with Sheena in his arms.

“Because you’re his friend?”

“Why can’t he have two…” he muttered, heading toward the study door, “I’d be perfectly willing to share him.”

“You don’t have anyone else either,” Mishi remarked, thinking Mario would surely be happy to share Tay as well. He was a friend worth having.

Still, she decided to accommodate Tay, and while reaching for the doorknob to open it for him, she suggested, “But if it’s that terrible, I can handle them on my own tomorrow.” She gently stroked his despairing face as she said it.

“That would be best,” he nodded, “I can’t stand his women. They’re office cows.”

“I was one of them too.”

“No, you’re different,” Tay said, frowning as if she had deeply offended him.

Mishi smiled with pleased delight at the compliment—rare from Taris. She immediately braced her hand against the doorframe to block his way into the study, and pressed herself sensually against him.

He froze in embarrassment as she stroked his back.

“And what am I like?” she whispered, leaning in closer. “Smart… gentle… beautiful… simply perfect?” She gave him several kisses in between the words.

Tay went completely rigid under the soft touch of feminine lips. Drowned in affection, he was unable to produce a sound.

When Mishi pulled away, a pleased smile returned to her face. She recognized in Tay the shy boy desperately calculating how to escape the situation. But that was exactly what she expected. It was clear she would get no answer. It didn’t matter—she adored this adorable shyness of his. Sometimes she couldn’t help teasing him like this, even though she knew he was uncomfortable with displays of affection or passion. She couldn’t resist testing again how she was the only person in the world capable of silencing Taris.

But now Tay was slowly beginning to physically cramp up from her closeness, so she took pity on him and stepped back. Freed from Mishi’s wicked hints, he exhaled and looked down at Sheena, who had watched her parents with great interest the whole time from his arms.

“She’s simply perfect,” Tay said to Sheena. Without lifting his eyes from the child, he walked into the study and shut the door behind him with his heel, leaving Mishi outside.

“And he’ll never say that about me,” Mishi commented lightly on his departure, “never, never, never.”

…

She wasn’t disappointed. She knew Tay would rather run naked through thorns than admit how happy he was in a situation that, in his mind, should never have existed. In truth, this relationship with Mishi was far more than he had ever intended.

Yes—intended.

It all began three years earlier, two days after he disappeared from the office with his head burdened by enforced marriage plans. He returned to Mishi carrying a stack of papers in a yellow folder, sat down opposite her, and silently pondered how to begin for a long time. Mishi, surprised that Tay had sat at her desk for the first time ever, watched curiously to see what would happen. From a quick glance, he seemed to be holding some extensive contract.

“I originally intended to promote you this summer,” he began mysteriously, “but… I have a different offer. Let’s say a counteroffer. You can still be promoted, if you refuse.”

She still remembered vividly how nervous he had been. Tay spoke more tensely and seriously at first than the doctor who had once told her she had only a few years left to live. She had no idea what he was leading up to.

And then, in several confused sentences, Tay voiced the idea that they could get married—on paper: “Yesterday I put together an agreement that would guarantee you everything I offer in exchange for marriage. Really, the only thing I’d need is your presence next to me at all those stupid social events. Some contact with the press, the broad smile of a happy wife… the bare minimum that will shut up Mario and his associates.”

“Teefu Taris,” Mishi interrupted him, “I’m sorry, I’m a bit surprised you’re coming to me with this. You know I’m not exactly the right person. I probably should have said this earlier…”

Her voice caught. Until this moment, no one in the palace except her friend and ex-boyfriend knew about her condition.

“I’m seriously ill. I won’t be here for your whole term.”

“I know,” Tay replied calmly. “I had you screened.”

“You had me what?!” she gasped.

“Well I couldn’t risk you discrediting me,” he said, not understanding her shock. “I have to know what family you come from, whether you have any records, what your reputation is. Anything hyenas could latch onto. That included your medical file. Surely you didn’t think you could hide something like that.”

Mishi swallowed heavily. “And… and… that doesn’t bother you?”

“No,” Tay answered plainly. “I didn’t know exactly what it was, but I did look into that vouléza of yours, and it struck me that research into treatment for Derits hasn’t even begun yet. And it affects us so strongly.”

He lifted his gaze to her meaningfully: “I could change that.”