I leaned back in my chair. Their flirting was tedious. Annoying. And maybe a little uncomfortable, if I was honest with myself. I was half tempted to get up and find Saba—she would make for far more pleasant company than this. But I couldn’t abandon the first dinner party of my employment. The next one, I could make up some excuse. But for now, I just had to grin and bear it.

“You’re too sweet,” Kelela said, running her hand down his arm. That was annoying, too, though I couldn’t quite place why. “Don’t you love this jacket, Andromeda? I had it commissioned. Magnus loves wild patterns.”

“It’s nice,” I said.

Magnus raised an eyebrow, and I snickered before I could stop myself.

Kelela eyed me suspiciously. “Even without it he’s the most handsome man in the country.”

I shifted in my chair, tempted to stand and leave but determined to stay put. “That’s a bit of a wild claim, don’t you think?”

Finally, Magnus looked up, his gaze direct. “Do you not find me handsome, Andromeda?”

“I haven’t noticed, sir.”

Magnus had been holding the cards between his thumb and middle finger, pressing on them with his index, and at my words he pressed too hard and the cards scattered on the floor. He gave me a look that was part glare, part marvel.

On the other hand, Kelela looked relieved. “That’s very professional of you, Andromeda. Esjay would say it’s unethical to—”

“What do you mean you ‘haven’t noticed’?” Magnus demanded.

“I mean beauty is of little consequence,” I said.

If it were, you wouldn’t hire someone as plain as me to save your household …

“And besides, it’s subjective,” I added. “What’s beautiful to you may not be beautiful to me.”

“What do you find beautiful, then?” he asked, kicking the cards away from him. His gaze was so steady now … “If not I?”

“The way you were cutting the deck a moment ago,” I said, nodding my head at the cards. He raised his eyebrows with interest, so I went on, “The speed and precision. It was simple, but confident. There’s beauty in that sort of skill.”

“Like crafting your amulets.”

And all of a sudden, it was like we were beside the supply closet again, understanding passing between us.

“The previous debtera took much longer to construct each one,” he clarified.

“And yet,” I said, teasing, “you have seen nothing remarkable.”

Magnus smirked. Kelela gripped his arm, glaring like she wanted to kill me.

“What do you find beautiful, sir?” I asked.

“Magnus,” he corrected, and for some reason the lack of chastisement in his tone made my face grow … warm. “What do I find beautiful?” A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth, his gaze steadier than ever. “Eye contact.”