Kalliope & Sjan-dehk
Sola 26th
Time: Evening
Location: Estate of lesser nobles merchant Lord Edric
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The grand estate loomed ahead, its sprawling gardens and illuminated facade shining like a beacon in the night. While not nearly as opulent as some of the elite, it certainly still turned heads. Guests filtered up the cobblestone path, their laughter and chatter drifting through the crisp evening air. The air smelled faintly of roses and lilies, no doubt plucked fresh for the occasion, and the sound of a string quartet filtered faintly from somewhere within the estate.
Kalliope stood just off to the side of the main path, partially hidden in the shadows of a nearby hedge. She had taken care with her attire tonight, a flowing black gown accented with intricate silver embroidery that caught the moonlight just right. If they wanted access to this party, and whatever secrets it held, sheâd have to play the part of the elegant, poised socialite. A role she could manage, albeit one that came with a tinge of annoyance.
Her fingers brushed over the simple silver pendant at her throat as her gaze scanned the path for Sjan-dehk. Sheâd asked for his help not because she doubted her own abilities, but because the Queen had left too many unknowns in this mission. What type of illegal activities they might uncover remained a mystery. Kalliope wasnât about to walk into that kind of situation alone, and having someone like Sjan-dehk, sharp, capable, and, she could admit, someone she was really beginning to trust, felt like the wisest choice. Not to mention, the Queen requested to avoid violence at all costs. If anything we're to go awry they would need to try to talk their way out of it and sometimes having that second person to help cover up exactly what they were doing was incredibly helpful.
She leaned slightly against the hedge, careful not to wrinkle her dress, as she softly hummed along to the music. She took a moment to stop scanning the street for Sjan-dehk and instead look over some of the guests who were entering the party. She knew some faces and some faces knew her, but under the guise of a different persona. A persona she knew she would have to adopt tonight.
The evening breeze played with the ends of Kalliope's gown as her humming came to a stop. Her gaze was drawn from the estateâs grandeur to the sound of approaching footsteps, a sharp click of heels on cobblestone, and then a familiar, all-too-slick voice cut through the air.
âLady Alara Vayne, is that you?â She turned her head sharply, her expression settling into one of polite surprise, though her mind raced.
Of course, it would be him. Her lips curved into a smile, the type that could disarm a man if she wanted it to, as she faced the approaching figure. A man she recognized immediately, Ser Victor Lytham.
He was a lesser noble, known more for his charm and indulgence in extravagance than for any significant accomplishments. He had a reputation for being easily manipulated when properly flattered, and Kalliope had exploited that very trait during a prior mission. Flirtation had been her tool of choice back then, and it had worked far too well, leaving Victor hopelessly infatuated. And, it seemed, he still was.
âSer Lytham,â Kalliope greeted warmly, tilting her head in feigned delight.
âWhat a surprise to see you here.âVictor stepped closer, his grin widening as he took her in. His gaze swept over her with no attempt at subtlety, lingering just long enough to make her skin prickle with irritation beneath her composed facade.
âOh, but the surprise is all mine, my lady. I thought my eyes deceived me when I saw you standing here, as radiant as ever.â He bowed his head slightly, his voice dripping with charm as he straightened.
âItâs been far too long since our last⌠encounter. Youâve been cruel to leave me wondering when I might see you again.ââIâve been⌠busy,â Kalliope replied smoothly, her smile never faltering.
âYou know how it is.ââOh, I know, but youâve truly wounded me, Lady Vayne.â His hand reached out, brushing against her arm lightly, his touch lingering just a moment too long. He stepped closer, close enough that she could catch the faint whiff of his cologne.
âBut perhaps fate has granted me an opportunity to make up for lost time?â His eyes gleamed with something that made Kalliope want to grimace, but she kept her expression calm, even playful.
âAre you alone tonight?â Victor asked, his tone dropping ever so slightly.
âSurely a woman of your charm and beauty isnât here without an escort? OrâŚâ He leaned in conspiratorially, his voice dropping to a suggestive murmur.
âCould it be that youâve been waiting for me?âKalliope laughed lightly, a sound carefully measured to convey just the right balance of amusement and dismissal.
âOh, Victor,â she said, her voice lilting.
âYou do flatter me.âBefore she could pull away, his hand moved again, this time resting against her lower back. It was subtle, but enough to signal his intentions loud and clear. Her body tensed slightly, though she kept her composure, searching for the easiest way to disengage without drawing too much attention.
Sjan-dehk had seen enough.
Well, heâd
already seen more than enough from quite a while ago, when heâd first spotted Victor and his incessant advances through the crowd. But only after Victor slid his hand onto Kalliopeâs back did Sjan-dehk go from simply hurrying through the ever-flowing trickle of people to surging through them like a riptide. Sjan-dehk couldnât tell what it was exactly, but something about how Kalliope had reacted to Victorâs touch made him feel as if he couldnât dawdle any longer.
âYou are wrong,â Sjan-dehk said brusquely as he stopped in front of the pair. There was such a bite in his words that it surprised even himself, though that didnât stop him from glaring at Victor from under the brim of his hat. For a few moments â several more than he should have given to such a thought â he considered removing Victorâs hand from Kalliope by force. It wouldâve been a simple matter; the man didnât seem like heâd put up much of a fight.
But Sjan-dehk quickly put that idea to rest.
No violence, he reminded himself. Kalliope had been rather explicit on that particular point, in her invitation.
And so, Sjan-dehk instead straightened his back and, despite Victor and he being of roughly the same height, glowered down his nose at the man.
âShe is with escort,â Sjan-dehk said, tone still as sharp and words still as gruff as before.
âThat is me.âEven though Kalliopeâs invitation had made it very clear that the event to which she was bringing him was a formal one, and even though this time, Sjan-dehk had good reason to meet the dress code to the letter, the fact of the matter was that her invitation had come much too late for him to prepare anything beyond his uniform. That didnât mean that he didnât at least try to make it look a touch more presentable, however. He still wore a blue outer tunic over a white inner one, but he wore variants of both that had artful swirls embroidered onto the collars. Similar swirls, made to look like serpents in motion, decorated the hems of the leather false tassets draping down to his knees. A bright, yellow sash tied around his waist â a symbol of his rank â added a splash of colour to his attire.
Coupled with the two swords and two pistols hanging from his belt, Sjan-dehk looked every part the armed escort of a wealthier lady. And hopefully, that was enough to make Victor think a little harder about his next actions.
âYou can let her go yourself,â Sjan-dehk said, just to give him that much more incentive to do the right thing.
âOr if not, I can make you. Your choice.âVictorâs confident smirk wavered the moment Sjan-dehkâs voice cut through the night. The lesser noble stiffened, his fingers pulling back from Kalliopeâs lower back as if burned. His gaze darted between Sjan-dehkâs imposing figure and the gleaming weapons at his belt, quickly sizing up the man who had so unceremoniously interrupted his advance.
"I-I see," Victor stammered, his bravado slipping as he took a cautious step back. The sharpness in Sjan-dehk's tone, combined with his no-nonsense demeanor, had clearly unnerved him.
"I-I meant no disrespect, of course." He straightened his posture, trying to salvage what remained of his dignity with a weak smile.
"I was simply caught off guard by the good ladyâs presence, you see. A delightful surprise, that's all."Kalliope, who had been holding herself steady throughout the uncomfortable interaction, finally allowed herself a small exhale of relief. She turned to Sjan-dehk, her expression softening as her eyes met his. In that moment, she felt an overwhelming gratitude for his arrival, and, without hesitation, she stepped closer to him, gently linking her arm with his.
"My apologies, Ser Victor," Kalliope said, her voice warm but measured, offering him a graceful way out of his embarrassment.
"I should have been quicker to make my situation clear. I truly didnât mean to mislead you."Victorâs lips parted as if to respond, but the weight of the situation clearly sank in. His gaze flicked to their linked arms and he hadnât missed the way she had looked up at the man beside her, and for a moment, a shadow of disappointment clouded his expression. He swallowed thickly, smoothing a hand down the front of his tunic as if that might help him compose himself.
"Think nothing of it, Lady Vayne," he said at last, his voice tinged with melancholy but free of bitterness. He offered a small, almost self-deprecating chuckle.
"I would be lying if I said I wasnât⌠disappointed. But I am a gentleman, and I shall not cause trouble where it is unwelcome."His attention shifted to Sjan-dehk, and for the first time, there was no trace of his earlier smugness or bravado. Instead, his tone carried an odd sincerity as he said,
"You, my good sir, are a fortunate man. To have a woman of such beauty, poise, and wit beside you is no small blessing. To have someone look at me the way she doesâŚ" He inclined his head, a faint, wistful smile tugging at his lips.
"Treasure her well."Victorâs politeness, candour, and good nature pulled much of the wind from Sjan-dehkâs sails, and by the time the man was done speaking, the Viserjantan Captain felt only embarrassment. What was he doing, so easily threatening violence as if he were naught but a common street thug? Perhaps it was his nerves, still somewhat high-strung after last nightâs sortie and this morningâs skirmish, but part of him knew for a fact that heâd be lying if he blamed everything on them. Nevertheless, he gave Victor a simple nod.
âYes, I will,â he said, not knowing what else to say.
Kalliopeâs lips curved into a small, gracious smile, and she tilted her head ever so slightly in acknowledgment of his words. Something inside her fluttered and she felt the faintest hint of a blush grace her cheeks.
âThank you, Ser Victor,â she said softly, her tone genuine.
âI wish you a pleasant evening.âVictor lingered for only a heartbeat longer before bowing his head and stepping away. He disappeared into the flow of guests making their way into the estate, though not without one final glance over his shoulder, his expression tinged with regret.
As the man vanished into the crowd, Kalliope let out a breath she hadnât realized sheâd been holding. Her grip on Sjan-dehkâs arm tightened slightly, and when she looked up at him, her verdant eyes gleamed with gratitude and a faint touch of amusement.
âThank you,â she said, her voice low enough that only he could hear.
âI didnât think Iâd need saving tonight, but youâve proven me wrong.â Her lips twitched into a wry smile.
âConsider me officially in your debt. Let us hope this isnât some form of foreshadowing, however.â She let out a small laugh, but there was some truth behind it. She really hoped things would simply go smoothly.
Sjan-dehk returned the laugh, just as small but with much less mirth.
âDonât thank me for that. I think I feel sorry for the man now, more than anything else,â he said with a shake of his head. Then, he let out a yawn that caught him by surprise. He quickly covered his mouth with a hand, glancing towards Kalliope, his expression apologetic.
âAh, sorry about that,â he said sheepishly.
âThese past two days have been eventful. Been doing some privateering work. Lots of pirates and their like active in these waters of yours, Iâve to say.âHe shook his head to clear it. Focus. He had to focus. He hadnât just come as Kalliopeâs invitee; heâd come to investigate the estate as well â its name and that of its owner had appeared on a handful of the documents his crew and he had captured from this morningâs pirates. Serendipity then gifted him an excellent excuse to probe deeper into matters, in the form of Kalliopeâs invitation, and what sort of Jafin would he be, if he turned away something so fated?
That said, he knew he was playing with fire, here, and he was playing with it as a clumsy toddler and not a seasoned practitioner. Such subterfuge had always been more of Shim-senâs domain. But that brother of his wasnât here, and so Sjan-dehk knew he would have to play by Kalliopeâs rules.
âYou look good,â he remarked dumbly as he looked at her. In actual fact, he found her stunning, but for whatever reason, âgoodâ was the only word that jumped to his mind. Thankful for the dim light that hid his flushed cheeks, he cleared his throat and quickly went on,
âMakes me feel underdressed, but I guess thatâs becoming the norm nowadays.â He flashed her a grin.
âI only just got your message a few hours ago, after pulling into harbour, so I didnât have time to prepare anything fancy. Thought Iâd come looking like an actual escort. Better a full escort than a half-arsed noble, eh?ââOh don't worry about him. His heart will heal before the night is over. He shall likely find another to keep him company.â She reassured him before looking back up at him, having briefly looked back in the direction of Ser Victor. She caught his yawn then and felt a pang of guilt hit her. It sounded like he'd had a full schedule and yet he still came for her. Just that fact alone caused her heart to skip a beat.
âNo need to apologize at all. If anything, I should apologize for dragging you out here. I do truly appreciate it, though.â She said, a warmth to her eyes.
Kalliope's lips quirked upward, then, at Sjan-dehkâs awkward compliment. His attempt at charm was endearing, and she couldnât resist the chance to tease him.
âGood?â she repeated, raising a perfectly arched brow, her voice light and playful.
âIs that really the best you could come up with? Iâve spent hours perfecting this look, Captain, and all I get is âgoodâ? Remind me to lower my expectations next time.â Her eyes sparkled with mischief, though her teasing was softened by the faintest hint of laughter in her tone.
âOf course I only just. Thank you for the compliment, truly.âShe gave his outfit a quick once-over, taking in his clean but simple attireâthe swirling embroidery on his collar, the polished weapons at his belt. He looked, as always, like the ever-capable sailor she had come to trust, but the rugged air he carried with him somehow suited the elegance of the night. When her gaze returned to his face, her smile softened.
âThough, to be fair,â she continued, her voice taking on a more genuine warmth,
âyou look perfect. In fact, I prefer you this way. Youâve no need for the frills and airs of these types. You carry yourself with more confidence and strength than any man here could ever muster, no matter how expensive their attire.âHer arm still linked with his, she began to lead him toward the estate. The cobblestones clicked lightly beneath their steps as they moved past other finely dressed guests.
âBesides,â she added, her tone conspiratorial as she tilted her head toward him slightly,
âit fits my persona for the evening. Lady Alara Vayne wouldnât be caught dead with some powdered, overdressed peacock of a noble as her escort. No, no. Sheâs the young widow of a successful merchant, inherited his business, made a name for herself as she travels the world. Sheâs adventurous, independent, and, above all, knows the value of keeping competent and intriguing company. Which is exactly what you are.âSjan-dekh chuckled.
âWell then, glad I stumbled my way into being of use.âKalliope threw him a sly glance as they ascended the steps toward the estateâs grand entrance.
âSo really, Captain, youâre doing me a favor by looking like the sharp-eyed escort every woman here wishes they had by their side. Consider it your first contribution to the eveningâs success.âThe two of them entered the estate, the grandeur of the party unfolding before them. Crystal chandeliers bathed the space in warm light, and the sound of soft music played by the string quartet filtered through the grand hall. Guests mingled, their voices weaving into the elegant cacophony of the night, while servants with trays of champagne flitted about like silent specters.
âSeems our host has made some upgrades since the last time I was here.âKalliopeâs eyes scanned the room, her gaze practiced and sharp as it landed on their target. Standing at the far side of the room, by the grand staircase, was Lord Edric de Clairemont. He was a man of middling height with a stocky frame, his graying hair slicked back, and his round face set in a practiced smile as he greeted guests. A merchant by trade, Lord Clairemont had recently announced the establishment of a lucrative new trade route to Alidasht, claiming it would bring more wealth and opportunity to their lands. And yet, the Queenâs suspicions suggested otherwise.
âEdric de Clairemont,â Kalliope murmured to Sjan-dehk, her voice low enough not to carry beyond him.
âOur host for the evening. His newly announced trade route with Alidasht has been the talk of the city, but thereâs a problem. His wealth doesnât match the manifests heâs turned in to the harbormaster. The Queen believes heâs involved in illegal tradeâsmuggling, bribery, perhaps even trafficking. Weâre here to find evidence. Enough to not only confirm her suspicions but also expose him if necessary.âSjan-dehk nodded and pursed his lips in a grim line.
âI might have sent a few of his ships, or a few of his hired ships, to the bottom, as well as killed a fair number of his men,â he said, his voice kept to a hushed whisper and words furtive.
âHeâs definitely up to nothing good, that much I can say with dead certainty. Found his name on several documents that once belonged to pirates. Mostly contracts and bills-of-sale, and for nothing too wicked, as far as whatâs written. But heâs surely in league with many shady characters.âShe turned her head slightly toward Sjan-dehk, her expression calm but her eyes glinting with determination.
âOur goal is to blend in, gather what we can, and avoid making a scene. With any luck, weâll get a look at his private records or overhear something useful. If we find an opportunity to sneak up into his private rooms then even better. The Queen wants this handled quietly. She wants the truth, not bloodshed.ââThatâs a damn shame,â Sjan-dehk said, the corners of his lips pulled in a wry smirk.
âBut Iâll try not to cause a scene.âHer lips curved faintly into a smile as she added,
âPerhaps we start with a dance and see what we can overhear as we move around gossiping groups?â She nodded toward the mingling guests surrounding a dance floor and the ever-smiling Lord Everhall, ready to guide Sjan-dehk into the lionâs den.
Sjan-dehk hesitated for a moment before nodding. Heâd been many things in his life thus far, but not a dancer. That said, he knew that Kalliopeâs plan was the best, and perhaps only, way forward if they wanted to eavesdrop on any loose lips amongst Clairemontâs guests. But there was another reason for his hesitancy â if he, someone who looked as if they could be nothing but an armed escort, were to waltz into the room and dance with someone as well-dressed as Kalliope, they would have a bevy of curious eyes on them. That was hardly the sort of thing one wanted for clandestine work.
And so, he cleared his throat loudly.
âI-I am only here to escort you,â he said, trying to sound normal but at the same time loud enough for those around them to hear. Let them know him as just another armed guard. Better yet, let them think of him as simple, dumb muscle. That would make it so much easier for him to linger in the background, unnoticed. And now, if Kalliope were to pull him along with her into the room, most would â as he hoped â simply assume her to be some precocious noblelady having fun with her personal guard.
âIt is notâŚIt is not right for me to dance with lady like you, yes?â Sjan-dehk continued, a mischievous shine in his eyes as he looked at Kalliope.
Kalliope caught on to Sjan-dehkâs tactic immediately, and a devilish glint sparked in her emerald eyes. Let the games begin. She thought to herself as she snatched a flute of champagne from a passing servant and drank half of it in a moment. She leaned closer to him, a sly smile curling on her lips as if she were already half a glass too deep into her champagne. Her hand slid lightly along his arm, the picture of a playful and slightly tipsy noblewoman amusing herself.
âOh, Captain,â she purred, her voice carrying just enough to draw nearby attention but remain casual.
âWhat nonsense! Where's your sense of adventure? Whoâs to say I canât have a little fun with my escort?â She tilted her head, the picture of someone scandalously improper yet entirely charming.
âIâve traveled the world, seen its wonders, and let me tell you, rules are far too boring. Besides,â she added with a wink,
âI rather like a man who doesnât bow and scrape.âShe let out a soft, lilting laugh and lightly swatted his chest, continuing in a mock whisper that was still just loud enough to be overheard.
âDonât act so shy, my dear Captain. If I want to dance, Iâll dance, and if I want to dance with you, wellâŚâ Her smile widened as she let the sentence hang in the air.
Sjan-dehk mirrored her smile, but only for the briefest of moments. He still had his part to play in this little act of theirs, after all. And now that they had managed to catch the attention of everybody within earshot, it was all the more important that he kept up appearances.
âI-It is not shyness,â he said. The embarrassment in his voice wasnât entirely an act, but despite that, he was enjoying himself.
âThat is notâŚIt is only that it is not the proper thing to do.âTruly, this was all so very strange. Pranks and practical jokes were one thing, but a performance like this was another, entirely. The former, Sjan-dehk knew he liked. The latter, not so much. But here he was, having fun pretending to be a thespian on a stage. His eyes flicked down, glancing at Kalliopeâs hand on his chest, and he swallowed hard. That wasnât entirely an act, either.
âIâŚI suppose just one dance cannot be too bad, yes?âTo those watching, it would appear to be nothing more than a flighty, slightly inebriated noblewoman toying with her handsome guard. And if anyone found her antics unbecoming, all the better. It meant they wouldnât look too closely at her
actual intentions.
Her fingers danced over his chest playfully, and she leaned in just a fraction closer, her voice now meant only for him.
âThere,â she murmured under her breath, her smile still firmly in place.
âNow no one will pay attention to a âsilly, flirtatious widowâ with her dashing guard. Theyâll write us off as scandal, not suspicion. And if we sneak away and snoop around, wellâŚno one will question our disappearance.ââYes, I suppose not,â Sjan-dehk replied. The words tumbled from his lips, and he felt his cheeks burn as Kalliope closed the distance between them. So close was she that he could catch faint whiffs of a flowery scent clinging to her, and her verdant eyes, shining with mischief, filled his vision. He almost leaned his head back on instinct, but then he quickly remembered that even if their act was over, he still had to keep playing his part until they were properly lost within the crowd.
He covered her hand on his chest with his, and slowly â nervously, almost â placed the other on her slender waist.
âI donât actually know what Iâm doing,â he admitted in a quiet voice, leaning in as well to keep their exchange safe from any potential eavesdroppers and gossips. If anything, it only made the two of them look even more like a scandalous noblewoman cavorting with her guard.
âIâm afraid youâll be taking the lead on this one for now.âKalliopeâs smile widened as Sjan-dehk placed his hand on her waist, the faint hint of nervousness in his movements only adding to the charm of their little performance. Her own heart seemed to flutter with excitement and she found herself silently chastising herself as she tried to ignore the scent of him now they were so close. She tilted her head slightly, her breath warm as she spoke just loud enough for him to hear.
âDonât worry,â she whispered, her tone teasing but laced with reassurance.
âIf you stumble, just let them think Iâve had one too many glasses of champagne and pulled you into my drunken mischief.âHer hand found its way to his shoulder, and she swayed slightly, as if already caught in the rhythm of the music that drifted through the grand hall.
âAll you have to do is keep your eyes on me,â she continued, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper,
âand let them believe Iâve completely ensnared you. A touch of smitten guard and a dash of clumsy dancer, that should do nicely.â Her emerald eyes sparkled as she gently guided him onto the dance floor, her movements fluid and confident.
Canât imagine how Iâd not keep my eyes on you, Sjan-dehk thought, and the words nearly formed on his tongue before he stopped himself, a slight flush coming over his cheeks. Even if he knew that he was simply playing a part, saying them aloud would be going a little too far, for him. He imagined that they wouldnât sound too natural coming from his mouth, in any case.
They began to move, Kalliope steering them with an ease that belied her sharp focus. Her gaze flicked around the room as she danced, her playful exterior never wavering. It didnât take long for her sharp ears to catch snippets of conversation from a nearby group of finely dressed guests, their voices carrying just enough to be overheard.
ââŚAnother shipment delayed, and he expects us to just wait? The clients are growing restlessâŚâââŚCareless, really. If the authorities sniff this out, weâll all burn for it.ââQuiet, you fool. Not here. Weâll discuss it upstairs later.âKalliope tilted her head slightly, pretending to adjust her grip on Sjan-dehk as she leaned closer to him, her voice dropping to a whisper.
âDid you catch that?â she murmured, her tone now sharp beneath the playful facade. Sjan-dehk shook his head.
âSomething about a shipment. Sounds like theyâre nervous. You wouldn't, by chance, know why that shipment may have been delayed, would you?â She kept her expression bright and teasing, her lips curving into a mischievous and flirtatious smile as if she were sharing some private joke with him.
âCouldâve been me,â Sjan-dehk said, leaning in and speaking in a quiet murmur. He kept his eyes on the crowd, however, as he looked out for anyone that seemed suspicious, or seemed as if they were a little too interested in Kalliope and himself.
âBut hard to say for sure. The ships we sank were likely doing work for several people, and thereâs plenty of pirates running around in these waters. Couldâve been any one of those bastards who delayed their shipment.âHe carefully followed her steps, occasionally glancing down between their bodies at his feet to make sure that he wasnât about to accidentally tread on her toes. Dancing wasnât something he was good or even passably decent at, but he found it surprisingly easy to keep pace with Kalliope.
âYesterdayâs catches did have your markâs name on a few documents,â he continued.
âAll indicating that heâs just importing innocent stuff. Spices and such.â He flashed her a grin and chuckled, keeping up the act of sharing a private joke.
âBut I suppose all of thatâs smoke and nonsense.âKalliopeâs emerald eyes glimmered with intrigue as she listened to Sjan-dehkâs quiet words.
âSpices and such,â she echoed softly, her lips curving into a wry smile that carried none of her outward charm.
âIntriguing. There could still be innocence, I suppose, but another was fretting over the authorities. Why be so ruffled over some clove and nutmeg, I wonder?â Her tone remained light, teasing, but the wheels in her mind were turning at full speed.
Her steps didnât falter as she danced them toward a slightly quieter part of the floor, giving them a better vantage point while keeping up the appearance of idle flirtation.
âAnd that third one shushed them,â she murmured, as if simply musing aloud.
âIf thereâs nothing to hide, why would they want them to save the chatter for later?â Her voice dropped even lower, conspiratorial.
âSounds to me like someoneâs nerves are frayed.âSjan-dehk nodded in agreement, his brows furrowed. His first thought had been that âspicesâ referred to something else entirely, something likely less-than-legal. But that idea fell apart almost as soon as it entered his mind â he imagined that Kalliope would be in the know about such things, and it didnât seem as if she had more of a clue than him.
âWell, I did say âand suchâ,â he offered.
âThe documents are still all aboard Sada Kurau. Could still refer to them later, if thereâs a need to.âShe tilted her head, her fingers tightening just slightly on his shoulder as she paused their dance and leaned in, her lips so close to his ear it could have been mistaken as an intimate exchange. A heated blush crept up Sjan-dehkâs cheeks, but he fought back his instinct to make space, and instead rested his hand on her back, pressing her ever-so-slightly into him. So close were her lips to his ear that he could feel her soft breaths against his lobe. Still, he tilted his head, leaning his ear even closer to her lips to make their act just that little bit more convincing for any prying eyes.
âThey said âupstairs.â If weâre lucky, weâll find whatever has them so twitchy before they scurry off to whisper about it.â Her gaze briefly flicked toward the group of guests, still clustered in their tense conversation.
âBut if weâre going to snoop, it needs to be before they excuse themselves.âKalliope leaned back just slightly, enough to look Sjan-dehk in the eyes, her expression shifting into one of flirtatious delight for the benefit of anyone watching. For the briefest of moments, her eyes flicked down to his lips and her mind betrayed her, wondering how they might feel against hers. She quickly caught herself and forced the thoughts out as her eyes found his once more.
âThink youâre up for sneaking off with a tipsy widow for a bit of adventure, Captain?â she teased, her voice soft and playful, though her sharp gaze flicked meaningfully toward the stairs just outside the ballroom.
âI promise to only lead you into the most thrilling kinds of trouble.âSjan-dehk looked back at her and grinned.
âThatâs the best sort of trouble, Iâd say,â he said, nodding his approval. His lips parted to say more, but then he instead glanced over her shoulder, at a handful of dancing couples slowly twirling and swaying their way towards the pairâs corner.
âBehind you,â he whispered, then smirked.
âGuess itâs time to act again. You should feel honoured, Lady Kali. Usually Iâm not the sort to do this sort of thing.âHis tone was playful, and his eyes shone with mischief for a brief moment. Then, he leaned his head back and cleared his throat loudly. A look, or at least his attempts at a look of surprise, bashfulness, and some embarrassment came over his face.
âY-You should notââ he began, glancing at the crowd, then at Kalliope. His voice dropped a register, quiet but still likely easily heard by anyone listening in on them.
âIt is not right to do this thing, yes? N-Not here, at least.âKalliopeâs eyes gleamed with amusement as Sjan-dehk stumbled through his words, his awkward bashfulness adding a layer of charm she hadnât anticipated. It took everything she had not to laugh, but instead, she leaned in closer, her voice playful and just loud enough for nearby eavesdroppers to catch.
âOh, Captain,â she purred, tilting her head and letting her lips curve into a wickedly teasing smile.
âYou really must relax. I simply canât help myself, you know. A handsome escort like you? How could I not misbehave just a little?â Her fingers brushed lightly over his chest, the perfect picture of a noblewoman thoroughly enjoying her game.
Her eyes flicked toward the stairs, gauging the tension in the room and the movements of the suspicious group.
âWeâll move the moment the floor clears a bit,â she whispered softly, her fingers lingering against his chest as if savoring the moment.
âFor now, just enjoy the attention. Youâre quite convincing.â Her smirk widened, and she leaned in just enough to make it look like she was whispering sweet nothings as her lips brushed against his ear.
âAlmost too convincing, in fact. Youâre not actually flustered, are you?â Before she could gauge his response, a nearby dancer stumbled into her, the force of the bump causing her to press against Sjan-dehk fully. Her body instinctively molded to his, and a soft gasp escaped her. This time she felt a blush creeping across her face and her heart began to race. They needed to move quickly before anyone actually noticed her own flustered behavior. That could certainly incur some suspicion.
Sjan-dehk caught Kalliope as she stumbled into him, instinctively wrapping his arms around her and using his own body to keep her from falling any further. At the same time, he shot the dancer â along with their partner â a stern glare. The two muttered quick apologies before darting off, disappearing back into the crowd. Just as Sjan-dehk was about to check on Kalliope, she spoke.
âI suppose you're right. Perhaps we should find somewhere a bit moreâŚprivate.â She said just loudly enough for those nearby to overhear, tilting her head to meet his gaze with sparkling eyes before entwining her fingers with his.
âCome, my dashing Captain, before this crowd devours us whole.â With that, she gently but firmly led him off the dance floor, her movements graceful and purposeful as she guided him out the door and toward the stairs.
