One Thousand Kisses by Jody Wallace Page A

the person dragging her there—Ani dressed.
    Had she heard anything about cats wandering the complex lately? They’d been known to show up during Court sessions, to the dismay of the Elders, but rarely anywhere else. Janelle might know. Anisette would ask when she dropped off her laundry.
    When she was brushing her hair, a knock sounded on her door.
    “Princess,” Embor’s voice called through the wood. Her stomach fluttered so hard she was surprised the cat didn’t wake up and chase it. “You have an appointment.”
    “One moment.” She hadn’t chosen her prettiest blue dress because she was to see Embor today—it was because the yellow was dirty. She always combed her straight hair one hundred times; otherwise tangles overwhelmed her head. And she always dabbed perfume behind her ears and glossed her lips.
    A bit breathless, she tied her hair back and opened the door. Outfitted in an off-white tunic and trousers, Embor appeared more and less intimidating than he’d been yesterday. More intimidating because his handsome face seemed drawn with displeasure. Less intimidating because she knew what he looked like naked. Courtesy of her dreams.
    Much like her exchange with the cat this morning, she and Embor eyed one another without comment, the only difference being neither of them broke off to lick their behinds.
    Embor finally dropped his gaze to his briefcase, adjusting his grip. “Have you breakfasted?”
    “No, I—”
    “Good. Gangee said you needed an empty stomach.”
    “This isn’t necessary. I feel very much myself this morning.”
    He examined her from head to toe. Ani resisted the urge to fidget. Her toilette had been pointless. She’d never seen him wear anything elaborate or trendy. He wasn’t the type to be impressed by fripperies, but looking her best imbued her with confidence. Yesterday he’d seen her looking her worst, and behaving worse than that.
    “Have you remembered what happened before you took ill?” he asked.
    Ani hadn’t thought about it beyond the generalities. “It could have been as minor as a forgotten appointment. A number of things conspire to trigger a panic attack.”
    “Did you forget an appointment?”
    “Well, no. But anxiety is hardly a rare condition in this environment.” She often cared for the triplets. She often suffered through meals with the Torvals. The only unusual element in her day yesterday had been running into Embor, but she could hardly blame him for her overset.
    To his face.
    His stern, handsome face with kissable lips and piercing grey eyes.
    She was a silly goose. That’s what was wrong with her.
    Embor shifted his case to his other hand. “Walk or transport?”
    If they walked, it would prolong the awkwardness. Why was this man so hard to talk to? If he could answer a question in a monosyllable, he did. Sometimes he did even when he shouldn’t.
    If they transported, she’d get to touch him.
    “Transport please.” She held out her hand as something fuzzy bumped her ankles.
    He’s keeping secrets from you , the cat said, his mind-voice a silken whisper.
    When Embor reached for her, she snatched her arm back, peering at the cat. He seated himself beside the doorjamb and stared at the Primary.
    “A cat,” Embor said.
    “He was in my room this morning.” While cats communicated in mind speech, they couldn’t be addressed in mind speech, not that they’d acknowledged. Considering what the cat had just said about Embor, Ani didn’t want to respond aloud.
    “Why are you here, Fey?” Embor asked.
    Without taking his gaze off Embor, the tom began scratching the doorjamb slowly with one white paw.
    Ani waited a moment before asking, “Did he tell you anything?”
    “No.” Embor frowned. “I’ve seen that cat before.”
    “Around Court?”
    “Perhaps in a book. His pattern isn’t uncommon.” The cat’s paw raised and lowered. “Why is he scratching your door?”
    “Maybe he’s marking it.” Warning to Cats: The Lady Here Kicks