The majordomo cleared his throat before he announced them. “All hail his exalted and esteemed lordship, High Governor Cruel.”

The room bowed to him.

Looking every bit the part, Darling followed his guards to the elegant throne that was centered against the left wall on a small dais.

Once he was seated and everyone had regained their feet, the majordomo spoke again. “The Andarion ambassador, his most honorable High Lord Maris Sulle and the most venerated Grand Marleena of Starrin, High Lady Zarya Starska.”

Shocked to the core of her being, she’d have fallen had she not been holding on to Maris. The last time she’d heard someone referred to as the Grand Marleena of Starrin, it’d been her mother. Her father had been the Grand Marle.

Had Darling reinstated her title?

He must have, otherwise it would have been illegal for her to use it. But why not tell her?

It didn’t make sense.

Maris tightened his hand on hers as he led her to stand before Darling’s throne. He bowed low while she curtsied in front of their governor.

Darling inclined his head to them.

After rising, she and Maris moved to stand to the right of the dais as all the gerents and their spouses came forward to follow suit and pay respect to their governor.

“Don’t you look smashingly gorgeous!”

Zarya turned to see a tiny brunette. She threw her arms around Maris’s neck and hugged him close.

Smiling at her, he kissed the woman’s cheek, then smoothed one of her curls that had fallen out of place. That action was so intimate, that it momentarily shocked Zarya.

“I pale in comparison to you, my dearest love,” Maris said, his grin widening. “But then you were always exquisite.”

The woman tsked at him. “You better be careful, Mari, lies like that will get you into trouble.”

“As long as it’s the right kind, I don’t mind at all.” He gave a nod to Zarya. “Have you met the Grand Marleena?”

“No, I have not.” The woman spoke breathlessly in a tone that said she thought meeting Zarya would be scandalous.

Maris kissed the woman’s hand before presenting her. “Zarya, this absolutely ravishing beauty is Tamara. Tamara, Zarya.”

Zarya smiled at the petite woman. Maris was right, she was so gorgeous that it left Zarya feeling without. But she wouldn’t hold that against her, not when she seemed to be so much fun. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Tamara.”

“Call me Tams, hon, everyone does.” She frowned as she looked past Zarya’s shoulder. “Ugh, I’m being summoned.” Irritated, she glanced to Maris. “We need to have a girl gab session and catch up, Mari. I’ll find out where our placards are and switch them so that we can sit together during dinner. Later, my precious.” She kissed him on the lips before making her way through the crowd.

Flabbergasted by the entire encounter, Zarya arched a curious brow at Maris. “Who is she exactly?”

More to the point, what was she to Maris? Because their entire interaction had been very strange.