The candle's flame appeared in his eyes. He sat straight on the thick velvet cushion seat in the grand dining hall and stared at the lineup of food they both knew they couldn't finish.
Nalia took small bites from her fish supper, and the youthful servers wearing white tunics moved silently to and from the table, keeping the platters and glasses full.
She moved her hair to see if Darren was eating or not and if he'd started reading the love letters she claimed were anonymously composed.
Darren's face was rigid with tension. Two possibilities occupied his head.She didn't guarantee him she'd offer the pearl; he wondered if everything was just a waste of his time and if it was best to let the gem be and move to another. But Artemis's hand…
"Why aren't you eating? It's part of the requirements."
"I don't think I can" His stomach knotted. And he couldn't explain why he was feeling so fidgety when they were left alone.
