Nightfall: Book Two of the Chronicles of Arden by Shiriluna Nott, SaJa H Page A

you.”
    Zandi’s grip was tentative as the mage took hold of his hand. “I remember your name, Gibben Nemesio of Willowdale, understudy to Seneschal Koal Adelwijn.”
    Gib was at an utter loss for words. If Zandi remembered his name then what were the reintroductions for?
    Confusion must have shown on his face, and the mage withdrew his hand with a small smile. An awkward lump rose in Gib’s throat. Had he missed something? Why did he feel like everyone was grinning at him?
    “All right. I’ve had enough of this. I’m going back to work.” Kezra snorted and pushed past her brother, grabbing his arm on her way through. “ We have to go back to work.”
    At last, Zandi’s emerald eyes fell away from Gib. The mage gave a curt nod and followed at Kezra’s heels. “Fine, yes. And let me fix your bindi. You look terrible.” Just before they slipped back into the crowd, Zandi looked back one last time. “It was good to see you again, Gib.”
    Gib waved, still confounded by the entire meeting. When he turned back to the others, Tarquin and Nawaz were both watching him. While Tarquin tried not to smile too broadly, Nawaz’s grin was nothing short of lewd.
    Gib’s eyes went wide. “What? What’s everyone staring at?”
    Nawaz clapped him so firmly on the shoulder Gib nearly tumbled. “So tell me, friend, where is Joel today?”
    “He had to see his mentor, why?”
    Without knowing Nawaz so well, Gib would have been intimidated by their height difference and the lord’s manner. Nawaz bore down on Gib with a wicked beam. “I just have to wonder if Zandi’s greeting would have been so warm had Joel been at your side.”
    Tarquin tittered, and Gib could feel his guts twist. Oh . He hadn’t realized. “I don’t think that’s what—” His voice faltered. Actually, maybe it sort of made sense. A strange warmth fluttered in his chest like soft butterfly wings tickling him from the inside. Zandi was taken with him? The warmth spread to Gib’s face. He’d never been the object of anyone’s desire before. Well, Joel hardly counted seeing as Gib had longed for the other man first. Joel . “Well, I’m flattered then, but he’ll have to look elsewhere.”
    Nawaz wagged his eyebrows. “For now anyway.” When Gib shook his head, Nawaz tsked. “You’re no fun. There’s no harm in lookin’. Speaking of which, I’m going to get closer to the stage so I can watch the dancin’.”
    “Dancing? Today? It’s too cold for that out here.” Tarquin gasped and glanced toward the raised platform.
    Nawaz laughed and slung an arm over Tarquin’s shoulders, leading him into the crowd. “Boy, you worry too much. The cold air is a good thing. It makes them blush and keeps things perky.”
    A horrified look crossed Tarquin’s white face, and Gib found himself giggling at his friend’s expense.
    “We can’t go up there. This is indecent!” Tarquin floundered and looked back at Gib. “Gib! Come with me!”
    “Hell no,” Gib laughed. “You two enjoy yourselves. I have a little brother to help with his reading.”
    The pair slipped farther into the crowd, and Gib had just turned to make a hasty retreat when he noticed Hasain was still standing nearby, scowling at Nawaz’s back. “Nawaz better watch himself or he may find marrying Heidi his only option.”
    Not this again . Gib sidestepped and tried to excuse himself. “Kezra knows her own mind well enough, and for now, she chooses him.”
    “For now, perhaps. He’ll slip up sooner or later, and she’ll see how useless he is.”
    Gib didn’t want to become involved in this, but he was about done listening to Hasain’s accusations. “Or you could simply wish them well and be their friend, as they would do for you. Joel and I are as opposite as night and day and so far we’re—”
    “Deluded?” Hasain’s words were sharp as a bee sting.
    Gib never knew how to take the Radek lord. One moment he was arguing on behalf of the poor and underprivileged, while in